- Brad Pitt’s new movie “F1” is causing controversy in the Formula One world.
- The film, produced by Pitt’s Plan B, Lewis Hamilton’s Dawn Apollo Films, Jerry Bruckheimer, and Apple Studios, is being shot at actual F1 events.
- The first trailer for the movie was released during the British Grand Prix at Silverstone.
- Pitt, in character, gave a fake interview in the media area, right next to a tearful real-life interview with F1 driver Lando Norris, who had just lost a race.
- Many F1 fans took to social media to express their frustration, feeling the movie disrespected the sport.
In the high-stakes world of Formula One, where emotions run high and competition is fierce, even the smallest incident can spark a major controversy. This was evident over the weekend at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, where Brad Pitt’s actions during the filming of his upcoming F1 movie caused a stir.
Brad Pitt, who has been deeply involved in the production of the F1 movie titled “F1,” was present at Silverstone to shoot scenes for the film. The movie, produced by Pitt’s former Plan B, Lewis Hamilton’s Dawn Apollo Films, Jerry Bruckheimer, and Apple Studios, has been in the works for a couple of years. Formula 1 itself is a producing partner and consultant, allowing the film to be shot at actual F1 events worldwide.
The first trailer for “F1,” one of the most anticipated movies of 2025, debuted at Silverstone. Prior to this, Warner Bros. released the first official movie poster, featuring a close-up of Pitt’s face in a racing helmet. The trailer was later made available to audiences worldwide, generating significant buzz.
However, the real drama unfolded during the post-race interviews. Pitt, in character as Sonny Hayes, the fictional winner of the race, conducted a fake interview in the media pen. Right beside him, real-life F1 driver Lando Norris was giving an emotional, almost tearful interview after a heartbreaking loss in the final lap of the race.
The stark contrast between Pitt’s make-believe victory and Norris’ real-life disappointment was too much for many F1 fans. They took to social media to express their frustration, accusing Pitt of turning F1 into a “joke” with his “stupid” movie. The timing of Pitt’s in-character interview, juxtaposed with Norris’ raw emotions, felt disrespectful to some fans.
On platforms like X (formerly Twitter), comparisons between Norris’ genuine anguish and Pitt’s fictional boasting soon emerged. Many fans felt that the intrusion of the film into the real-life drama of the sport was inappropriate and detracted from the authenticity of F1.
However, not all reactions were negative. Some fans pointed out that the film has the full backing of Formula 1, involving all ten F1 teams, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), drivers, race promoters, and sponsors. They argued that it made sense for Sonny Hayes to conduct a media interview after his fictional win, maintaining the film’s authenticity and connection to the real sport.
Despite the controversy, the film aims to pay tribute to Formula One, and its integration with real events is meant to enhance its realism. While the timing of Pitt’s interview was unfortunate for Norris, the film’s creators are committed to capturing the unique atmosphere of F1.
“F1” is set to premiere on June 27, 2025, in the U.S. and two days earlier in theaters worldwide. Fans of the sport and cinema alike will be eager to see how this ambitious project unfolds on the big screen.
