British actor Damson Idris has opened up about the “craziest” on-track moment he experienced while filming the upcoming Formula 1 movie alongside Hollywood legend Brad Pitt — and revealed the exhilarating incident that earned him kudos from real F1 drivers.
Set to hit cinemas in just two months, F1 follows the fictional APXGP team as they challenge motorsport’s elite in a dramatic, high-octane tale of ambition, redemption, and speed. The film, shot over two years and during actual Grand Prix weekends, is already being touted as one of the summer’s most highly anticipated releases.
Speaking about the shoot, Idris said the experience was “intense, surreal and deeply exhilarating.” He recalled one standout moment during filming at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas — a track known for its challenging corners and undulating layout.
“We got to drive on all the race tracks, we trained hard on them too. My favourite was Austin,” Idris said. “I had the craziest spin of my life there — totally lost the rear. But as I came out of the car, all the drivers and crew were like, ‘Now you’re a race car driver!’ That’s when I felt I had earned a little respect.”
While Idris and Pitt didn’t race in the heat of official Grands Prix, both took part in formation laps and filmed on-track sequences during real race weekends. The scenes — meticulously crafted with the support of all 10 F1 teams and many of the sport’s 2023 and 2024 drivers — were captured during practice sessions and stitched together for maximum cinematic realism.
Their APXGP cars were actually modified Formula 2 vehicles, made to resemble their F1 counterparts in appearance and performance while offering slightly more forgiving handling for the actors. Despite not being professional drivers, Idris and Pitt underwent months of rigorous training and performed most of their own driving — sometimes with just 10 minutes of track time to nail a scene.
“It was like theatre,” Idris explained. “You had these short, high-pressure windows where everything had to be just right. Me and Brad would jump into the cars, cameras rolling, radios in our helmets, and it was go time.”
Idris, best known for his leading role in Snowfall, also spoke about his onscreen chemistry with Brad Pitt, calling him his “sparring partner” and someone who brought out the best in everyone on set.
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In the film, Pitt plays Sonny Hayes, a once-great Formula One driver lured out of retirement to mentor Idris’s character, the fiery young rookie Joshua Pearce. Their dynamic drives the emotional core of the film as they push each other to succeed amid the ruthless world of elite motorsport.
“Brad is just incredible,” said Idris. “Such a kind spirit. He taught me that no matter how successful you become, humility matters. He’s one of the finest actors we have, and his leadership on set was inspiring. He made the film better every single day.”
Ahead of the film’s release, Idris recently returned to the track — this time at the Goodwood Members’ Meeting — where he performed a live stunt driving the very Mercedes GT used in the film. The appearance was part of a collaboration with IWC Schaffhausen, official watch partner of the APXGP team in the movie.
With the help of professional stunt driver Elliott Cole, the performance mirrored one of the film’s key scenes and gave fans a thrilling preview of the action-packed drama soon to grace cinema screens.
As anticipation builds, F1 is set to deliver not just fast-paced racing, but a heartfelt story of mentorship, legacy, and the relentless pursuit of greatness — with Idris and Pitt firmly in pole position.
