The Most Ambitious Racing Movie Ever?
The buzz around the paddock isn’t just about the championship fight; it’s about Hollywood’s latest, high-octane blockbuster. With Brad Pitt in the driver’s seat and seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton producing, the upcoming Formula 1 movie (working title Apex) promises to be the most authentic racing film ever made. But is it living up to the hype? We went straight to the source—the F1 drivers themselves—to get their unfiltered opinions on just how realistic this cinematic spectacle truly is.
Unprecedented Access: A Real F1 Team on the Grid
For the first time in history, a fictional F1 team, ‘APXGP’, has been given its own garage in the pit lane, attending and filming during actual Grand Prix weekends. They’ve been on track at Silverstone, Monza, and beyond, driving a modified F2 car designed in partnership with the Mercedes-AMG F1 team. This level of integration is unheard of, and it hasn’t gone unnoticed by the drivers.
“I think it’s one of the best-shot movies I’ve ever seen in terms of the camera work,” reigning world champion Max Verstappen commented. While initially skeptical, Verstappen admitted the on-track footage looks incredible. “They have a really good understanding of what they are doing. I am sure it will be a big hit.”
The Hamilton Effect: Authenticity is King
Lewis Hamilton’s involvement is more than just a name on a poster. He’s been deeply involved in ensuring the film respects the sport. His goal? To make viewers feel what it’s truly like to be in a Formula 1 car and part of a team.
George Russell, Hamilton’s teammate at Mercedes, has seen the dedication firsthand. “Having Brad Pitt and the whole film crew in the drivers’ briefing, seeing their commitment… it’s been pretty surreal,” Russell said. “Lewis is spending a lot of time with them to make sure it’s as true to F1 as it can be. The drama will be Hollywood, of course, but the racing itself is going to be incredibly genuine.”
The Verdict from the Paddock
The consensus across the grid is overwhelmingly positive. Drivers are impressed by the lengths the production is going to capture the speed, sound, and intensity of modern F1.
- Charles Leclerc (Ferrari): “It’s strange to see an 11th team in the paddock! But it is amazing. The car looks great, and the effort they are putting in to avoid using too much CGI for the racing scenes is what will make it special.”
- Pierre Gasly (Alpine): “Brad is a superstar, but he’s been so humble, just trying to learn from everyone. He’s a proper racing fan. You can see they want to do justice to our sport.”
While the storyline of an aging driver making a comeback is pure Hollywood fiction, the world it’s set in is not. From the technical jargon in the garage to the G-forces depicted on track, the drivers believe this film will set a new standard. It seems that for once, Hollywood isn’t just using F1 as a backdrop; it’s becoming a part of the show, and the stars of the sport have given it their stamp of approval.