Brad Pitt Nearly Too Fast for His Own Movie—Director Had to Tell Him to Slow Down!

Brad Pitt is revving up for his next big action role in F1, set to hit theaters and IMAX on June 27. This high-speed racing film, directed by Top Gun: Maverick helmer Joseph Kosinski, has already caught the attention of moviegoers and motorsport fans alike. The trailer, released ahead of the full film, shows Pitt tearing through some of the world’s most famous racetracks at speeds upwards of 180 mph.

Kosinski recently shared some behind-the-scenes insights during a Zoom session with journalists, including how he kept things under control while Pitt was at the wheel. “Talking via radio to Brad when he was at the wheel mostly was me telling him to slow down,” Kosinski joked, adding a lighthearted touch to the serious nature of the film’s thrilling action sequences.

The plot of F1 follows Pitt as Sonny Hayes, a former racing star known as “the greatest driver that never was.” Sonny gets a second chance when a call from his former teammate, Ruben Cervantes (played by Javier Bardem), brings him back into the world of Formula 1 racing. However, his path to redemption is complicated by his cocky young teammate, Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris), and a potential romance with the team engineer, Kate (Kerry Condon). The movie promises not only heart-pounding racing action but also a redemption arc, humor, and romance—key elements that make this film more than just another action-packed racing drama.

Kosinski, who was inspired by the popular Netflix series Drive to Survive during the pandemic, pointed out the unique dynamics of Formula 1 racing that make it a compelling story. “I found it was a unique sport where your own teammate is in many ways your greatest competition,” he explained. “The first season of Drive focused on the last-place teams, the underdogs. So I thought there was an interesting story to be told about the underdogs not trying to win a championship but even just one race against the titans of the sport.”

With the racing sequences promising to be a major highlight of F1, Kosinski enlisted the help of some real-life F1 stars, including seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, who not only appears in the film but also serves as a producer. Hamilton’s involvement was crucial in making the film as authentic as possible. “One of the first things we did was go out on the track in sports cars, because Lewis wanted to see if Brad could drive,” Kosinski recalled. “When Lewis saw that he was naturally gifted at the wheel, it gave him confidence.”

The collaboration with Hamilton, who also contributed to shaping the film’s script, ensures that F1 will bring an accurate and thrilling portrayal of the sport. “I couldn’t have made this film without him,” Kosinski said of Hamilton’s invaluable input, highlighting the importance of staying true to the sport’s competitive nature and high stakes.

As for Brad Pitt, his natural ability behind the wheel, confirmed by none other than Hamilton himself, will likely surprise fans. It turns out that, just like his Top Gun co-star Tom Cruise, Pitt is no stranger to the challenges of staying in top physical shape for a high-octane role. As the film barrels toward its summer release, it’s clear that F1 will not just be about the race—it’ll be about the heart, the competition, and the drive for redemption that fans of both racing and action films will surely enjoy.