Brad Pitt recalls hilarious moment Ferrari and Mercedes reacted to F1 movie crew during first day shoot. Brad Pitt shares a hilarious behind-the-scenes story from the F1 movie set.

Formula 1 goes Hollywood as Brad Pitt film captures real race drama with a comedic twist in the paddock

Formula 1 has fully embraced the spotlight of Hollywood with a major feature film starring Brad Pitt, blending cinematic storytelling with real footage from the sport’s recent seasons. The movie, produced by Apple in collaboration with the acclaimed team behind Top Gun: Maverick, is scheduled for a mid-year release and aims to draw in new global audiences by offering a high-octane, behind-the-scenes look at the world of F1.

The film, which has already received critical acclaim in early reviews, is being praised for its immersive cinematography that places viewers at the very center of the racing action. Much of the footage was captured during the 2023 and 2024 Formula 1 seasons, with real tracks, authentic crowds, and a fictional Apex GP team digitally integrated into the racing scenes.

Brad Pitt, who plays the role of fictional driver Sonny Hayes, recounted a particularly amusing moment from the very first day of shooting. In an interview with Access Hollywood, he described how the film crew was positioned in a garage nestled directly between Ferrari and Mercedes at Silverstone—an iconic and high-pressure location to kick off filming.

Mercedes and Ferrari reacted with laughter to movie crew’s unexpected ‘uniform mishap’ at Silverstone

Thanks to exclusive access granted by Formula 1, the film crew was able to operate during actual Grand Prix weekends, capturing genuine trackside atmosphere. Their access included pit lane presence, allowing their fictional team, Apex GP, to blend seamlessly with real-world racing operations.

However, one incident on day one provided unexpected comedy. Brad Pitt explained that the production team had outfitted their professional pit crew with Apex-branded overalls. But due to a miscommunication between the costume designers and the sports consultants, the rear of the uniforms bore the logo of Action Factory—a stunt and special effects company supporting the film. The logo placement, awkwardly printed in the lower back area, drew immediate laughs and sarcastic comments from crew members in the neighboring Ferrari and Mercedes garages.

As a result, the production quickly replaced the gear, recognizing that branding placement in the paddock is a delicate matter—especially when stationed between two of the sport’s most prestigious teams.

Lewis Hamilton’s role as producer gave F1 film its authentic edge, says Brad Pitt

To ensure the film stayed true to Formula 1’s technical and cultural nuances, extensive collaboration took place between the filmmakers and real-world F1 insiders. Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton played a pivotal role as producer, working closely with director Joseph Kosinski and legendary producer Jerry Bruckheimer to shape the authenticity of the project.

Brad Pitt remarked that Lewis Hamilton’s input was nothing short of “incredible,” noting how the Mercedes driver had an uncanny ability to catch even the smallest technical discrepancies—from engine sounds to the visual details of corner sequences. The Briton’s contributions ensured that no element felt out of place to seasoned fans of the sport.

The collaboration culminated in a glamorous red carpet premiere in New York, where Brad Pitt and Lewis Hamilton were joined by a host of F1 stars including George Russell, Lando Norris, and Charles Leclerc—further demonstrating how deeply the sport and the film have intertwined.