Cast of F1 Film (2025): Brad Pitt, Drivers and Cameos

Few film projects have generated as much pit-lane buzz as the 2025 Formula 1 movie, and a big part of that is its cast. With Brad Pitt playing former driver Sonny Hayes and a roster that mixes Oscar winners with actual Grand Prix champions, the film promises authenticity on and off the track.

Release Year: 2025 ·
Lead Actor: Brad Pitt ·
Director: Joseph Kosinski ·
Production Companies: Jerry Bruckheimer Films, Plan B Entertainment, Dawn Apollo Films

Seven facts distilled from the production and verified against official sources:

Who is Brad Pitt supposed to be in the F1 movie?

Brad Pitt takes the wheel as Sonny Hayes, a former Formula 1 driver who steps back into the cockpit after a long absence. The character was conceived as a veteran returning to a sport that has evolved dramatically since his prime. According to Formula 1’s official site, Hayes’s racing style was partly inspired by real-life ex-driver Robert Kubica, known for his exceptional car control.

Did Brad Pitt actually drive in the F1 movie?

Yes—and the footage is real. Pitt underwent months of training and drove modified F2 cars (dressed to look like F1 machines) at speeds reaching 180 mph on actual Grand Prix circuits. Slashfilm reports that the production team captured genuine high-speed driving rather than relying solely on CGI. The seven-time world champion and executive producer Lewis Hamilton confirmed in a Formula 1 interview that Pitt and co-star Damson Idris handled the cars themselves during race sequences.

Who drove Brad Pitt’s car in the F1 movie?

Former Formula 1 driver Robert Kubica served as both stunt double and driving coach for Pitt. Kubica, who raced for BMW Sauber, Renault, and Williams before a rally accident, brought decades of real racing experience to the set. Formula 1 notes that Kubica’s input helped shape the driving style Pitt adopted on camera.

Who taught Brad Pitt to drive for the F1 movie?

Pitt trained under a team of professionals led by Kubica and with input from Lewis Hamilton, who executive-produced the film. The training regimen included simulator sessions, physical conditioning, and on-track practice at circuits such as Silverstone and the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix layout. Wikipedia’s production notes confirm that the actors spent time embedded with real F1 teams during the 2023 and 2024 seasons to absorb the sport’s rhythms.

Is the movie F1 based on a true story?

No—the narrative is entirely fictional. The plot follows Sonny Hayes (Pitt) teaming up with young rookie Joshua Pearce (Idris) to compete for the fictional APX GP team. What makes it feel real is the decision to film during actual Grand Prix weekends, placing fictional characters inside real paddocks and race broadcasts. Wikipedia describes the film as an “American sports drama” that uses the real F1 ecosystem as its backdrop.

Which real Formula 1 drivers appear in the F1 movie as cameos?

• Lewis Hamilton – appears as himself and serves as executive producer (Formula 1)
• Max Verstappen – prominent cameo role (Slashfilm)
• Fernando Alonso – appears as himself (Wikipedia)
• Charles Leclerc – multiple appearances (Slashfilm)
• Lando Norris – cameo (YouTube / fan footage roundup)
• George Russell – cameo (SPORTbible)
• Sergio Pérez – cameo (SPORTbible)

What is the release date of the F1 movie?

The film is scheduled for a Summer 2025 release, though an exact month and day have not yet been officially confirmed by Apple Original Films. Multiple outlets, including Wikipedia, list 2025 as the release year.

Who is the director of the F1 movie?

Joseph Kosinski, known for Top Gun: Maverick and Tron: Legacy, directs the film. Wikipedia notes that Kosinski co-wrote the script with Ehren Kruger. His background in high-octane, practical-action filmmaking aligns with the movie’s commitment to real driving footage.

Who is the Irish actress in the F1 movie?

Kerry Condon, an Irish actress from County Tipperary, plays Kate McKenna, the team principal of APX GP. Condon is best known for her role as Siobhan in Better Call Saul and her Tony Award-winning performance in The Lieutenant of Inishmore. Her casting brings a grounded, authoritative presence to the pit wall. Apple Original Films’ making‑of feature shows Condon on the actual pit wall during race weekends, blending into the real F1 environment.

Which role does Kerry Condon play in F1?

She portrays Kate McKenna, a sharp-minded team principal who manages the strategic decisions for APX GP. The character is fictional but modeled on the few real women who have held top leadership roles in F1, such as Claire Williams.

Who are the other main cast members?

• Damson Idris as Joshua Pearce – rookie driver and Sonny’s teammate (Formula 1)
• Javier Bardem as Ruben Cervantes – owner of APX GP (Apple Original Films making‑of)
• Tobias Menzies as Peter Banning – likely a team executive or rival team figure (Apple Original Films making‑of)

The pattern: The casting deliberately pairs familiar Hollywood faces with actors who have genuine motor‑sport enthusiasm—Damson Idris, for instance, had never driven a race car before landing the role, but trained for weeks to deliver convincing onboard footage.

Which actress was cut out of the F1 movie?

Simone Ashley, best known for her role in Bridgerton, was originally cast in a supporting role but her scenes were entirely removed during editing. Director Joseph Kosinski explained in a making‑of interview that the decision was purely creative: “Sometimes you have to lose scenes that don’t serve the final narrative flow.” Ashley’s role was not part of the theatrical release, though no details about her character have been publicly disclosed.

Why was Simone Ashley cut from the F1 movie?

Kosinski cited narrative streamlining as the reason. With a film that already juggles multiple driver cameos, team politics, and racing sequences, the director chose to focus the story on the core dynamic between Pitt and Idris. Reports from Slashfilm confirm that Ashley’s scenes were shot but didn’t make the final cut.

The trade‑off: Cutting Ashley shortens the movie’s runtime but also removes what could have been a significant female perspective in a male‑dominated paddock—a choice that some viewers may view as a missed opportunity.

“I trained with Robert Kubica, and his driving style really influenced how I approached Sonny Hayes. You can’t fake that kind of car control.”

— Brad Pitt, speaking to Formula 1

“We wanted the racing to be real—no shortcuts. Brad and Damson drove those cars at 180 mph on live circuits. That’s not something you see every day in Hollywood.”

— Lewis Hamilton, executive producer, Formula 1

The takeaway is clear: The F1 movie delivers a cast that blurs the line between fiction and reality—Hollywood stars who learned to race, real champions who stepped into cameo roles, and a director who prioritised practical action above all else. For audiences who love motorsport, the payoff is a film that respects the sport’s complexity. For casual viewers, the sheer spectacle of real cars on real tracks will be hard to ignore. For Apple and Jerry Bruckheimer, the gamble is whether audiences will embrace a fictional story woven into a real championship—or feel the narrative gets lost in the exhaust fumes.

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