'Surreal moment': Brad Pitt set to race Lewis Hamilton in British Grand Prix for upcoming F1 movie
MONTEREY COUNTY, CALIFORNIA: Hollywood icon Brad Pitt reportedly plans to participate in the British Grand Prix. The 59-year-old actor is filming his newest movie and has been granted special permission to compete in Silverstone's first parade lap against F1 champions, including Lewis Hamilton. Reports say the superstar is risking cars valued at billions of dollars.
Hamilton, the seven-time Formula 1 world champion, 38, is an executive producer on the movie, which is being developed by Dawn Apollo Films, his new production business. Pitt will reportedly portray an experienced F1 driver who comes out of retirement to assist a young driver in the movie, which is scheduled for release in 2024, as per The Sun.
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'An incredible and surreal moment'
Sources reportedly said, "Watching Brad Pitt leading the field in the British Grand Prix will be an incredible and surreal moment for TV viewers and fans at Silverstone this July."
F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali recently discussed the video of the race to be shown during the event. "We’re going to start shooting in Silverstone very soon," he said, adding, "It will be the first movie where they will be within the racing event. It will be quite invasive in terms of production, but it will be another way of showing that F1 never stops."
Earlier, Hamilton praised the movie and expressed his "extremely high hopes for it." "I know we’re going to make the best racing movie that’s ever existed, both visually, and we’re going to work on making sure we pull on the heartstrings of all those fans," he said, as per Just Jared.
Is Lewis Hamilton starring in the movie?
Hamilton is listed as a cast member on IMDb as well, although it appears that whatever screen time he receives will be restricted to the on-track action, along with other active F1 drivers. "I don't plan to be in it, no," Hamilton revealed in June 2022, adding later, "It's going to take us drivers to be involved in [filming the on-track action]. But we're not actors ... We don't want this movie to be crap, which is probably why I'm not going to be part of it also."
Pitt's co-star had to be found, according to Hamilton, who is assisting with casting. According to Deadline, the filmmakers chose Damson Idris after a series of challenging driving tryouts. Idris is most well-known for starring in the FX drama 'Snowfall'.
Why did Lewis Hamilton name his production house Dawn Apollo Films?
According to Hamilton, who launched Dawn Apollo Films in late October 2022, said, "Apollo is the Greek god of sunlight, music and poetry, so I’ve always loved the name. Dawn because it is a time of other-worldliness and light, and symbolizes new beginnings. It’s generally a time of day that I love," as per Deadline.