Tim Bampton, executive producer of F1 The Movie, has explained how the production team managed to overcome the initial scepticism shown by the drivers during the filming of the movie. All 20 drivers on the grid were integrated into the shooting process alongside the main characters portrayed by Brad Pitt and Damson Idris.
The start of filming was far from straightforward, with several drivers not particularly happy about having to shoot scenes in the middle of a Grand Prix weekend. The movie was, in fact, filmed during real race weekends and features drivers from the 2023 and 2024 Formula 1 seasons, including Fernando Alonso, Charles Leclerc, Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz. Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton also makes a cameo appearance in the film, in addition to serving as one of its executive producers.
Bampton revealed, however, how the production ultimately managed to move past the initial dissatisfaction within the paddock, thanks largely to the involvement of Joseph Kosinski and Jerry Bruckheimer.
Bampton’s explanation
Before filming for F1 The Movie began, director Joseph Kosinski and producer Jerry Bruckheimer spoke directly to the drivers, and Tim Bampton explained that this meeting proved to be the turning point for the entire project.
“The prospect of involving a major film production to create an eleventh team was a truly unprecedented undertaking,” Bampton explained, referring to the storyline of the movie. F1 The Movie follows the life of driver Sonny Hayes, played by Brad Pitt, as he returns to the sport to help the struggling APXGP team alongside rookie Joshua Pearce, portrayed by Damson Idris.
“Drivers are extremely focused and determined individuals, but having Brad, Damson, Joe and Jerry speak to them about the fact that they were there to help reflect their skill, their commitment, their courage and their boldness was extremely important and very well received,” Bampton added.
Bruckheimer also shared his perspective, saying: “We are very fortunate because in the film we had a combination of team owners, team principals and drivers.”
Kosinski, meanwhile, described the atmosphere surrounding the meeting: “The drivers’ briefing is a kind of sacred, closed-door session, so when we were invited in it all felt very surreal. I think there was understandable scepticism at first about the idea of a group of people from Hollywood coming in.”
“Once we explained what we were doing, they welcomed us enthusiastically, and all the drivers were fantastic and happy to make small appearances,” the director concluded.
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