Lewis Hamilton talks about his role as producer of F1 The Movie

Anticipation builds as the release of F1 The Movie approaches, scheduled for June 25, internationally and June 27 in North America – and one of the most enthusiastic about fans seeing the film is Ferrari driver, Lewis Hamilton.

Here is the interview of the seven-time world champion given to Formula 1 ahead of the film’s release.

A producer role

Tell us about your role as a producer on F1 The Movie and what it means to bring Formula 1 to the big screen like never before.

Participating in this project as a producer was an exceptional learning experience for me. I discovered everything that film production requires, and on the other hand, the film team also had to learn to understand the world of F1.

« I have always loved cinema and telling stories, and I have been passionate about this sport since the age of five. So, when I had the opportunity to talk about the project with Joe Kosinski and Jerry Bruckheimer, it felt like my two favorite worlds were coming together. »

« I remember at the beginning, I met Brad, we went through the script together, I attended meetings with the teams from Apple and F1, and I was even involved in the initial castings. From those early discussions to the filming, it has been an amazing experience, and I can’t wait for everyone to see the result. »

A realistic movie?

Why do you think it will be the most authentic racing movie of all time?

« The access we had to Formula 1 is unprecedented. We filmed during real race weekends, with the film’s fictitious 11th team, APXGP, and this authenticity will clearly be felt on screen. »

« The footage shot throughout the season will be integrated into the film and digitally enhanced to insert the film team’s cars into the actual race sequences. It will look very realistic for sports fans. »

« They also took into account my comments on the small details, like the sounds a car makes depending on its position on the track, or the way a crash can happen. That’s exactly what Joe [Kosinski] and Jerry [Bruckheimer] wanted: to make the most realistic racing movie ever produced.

You talk about Kosinski and Bruckheimer, who shattered standards with Top Gun: Maverick. How does F1 The Movie fit into this lineage?

I grew up seeing Jerry’s name on the screen, he’s a legend. Working with him is a great honor.

« He remains extremely passionate, despite all the success. It’s very inspiring. And Joe really impressed me too: his attention to detail, his way of working, his concentration… He has a very clear vision of what he wants to capture. »

Technical innovations

What innovations have you seen that will make this film unique in the history of racing cinema?

There have been a lot of technical innovations: camera placement, technological development… Joe used tools similar to those from Top Gun: Maverick, and with Claudio Miranda (cinematographer) and Apple, they went even further.

They have developed a new camera system, far more advanced than what you see on TV during a Grand Prix. The image is rawer, more immersive. When watching the film, you really feel like you’re in the car at full speed.

A five-star collaboration

Tell us about your collaboration with Brad Pitt, who is also the producer and lead actor.

Translate: « I never would have imagined working with Brad Pitt. I’m a big fan of his movies. The first time we spoke was on Zoom, in Jerry’s office – already quite crazy in itself – and then we met on the track. »

« I saw that he is really passionate about motorsports, especially motorcycles, and I noticed that he had a true natural talent behind the wheel.

I remember we were at Silverstone, in the Copse corner, and I was explaining to him what I feel at that precise spot. We talked about how the drivers are true athletes, the G-force, the intense training, the physical wear… He really wanted to understand these details to make his character as credible as possible.

How does Brad embody the role of veteran driver Sonny Hayes?

« He did an incredible job. He brings a lot of depth to the character, both as an experienced driver and in the relationship with the young outsider he takes under his wing. »

« In F1, you work as a team, but each driver is still your competitor, even your teammate. It’s a complex dynamic, and it is well represented between Sonny (Brad Pitt) and the young driver played by Damson Idris. »

Feel the piloting

One of the elements of authenticity is that Brad and Damson are actually driving the cars during real races. Why was this so important to you?

« It was essential. Throughout my career, I’ve explained how tough it is to be a driver, and people would ask: ‘How many kilos do you lose?’, ‘Do you end up with bruises?’, ‘What? There’s no air conditioning in the car?!’ It’s super demanding. You can lose up to 4-5 kg in one race. So putting Brad and Damson through the real experience was important. Feeling the speed, the mental pressure, the force of the brakes, the G-forces, etc. »

« And they did a great job. Thanks to that, they understood what it really means to be a pilot, and that’s what the audience will feel in the movie. »

How does it feel to know that the film you produced will finally be released on the big screen?

« It’s crazy. To start from a treatment of the scenario, see it transform into a script, then experience the technical development, the production, and now see it ready for the cinema… it’s incredible. »

« I can’t wait to see the audience’s reactions and the emotions the film will evoke. It’s a very authentic film where you feel the speed, the rivalry, the thirst for victory… There are only 20 F1 drivers in the world, and this film will allow everyone to experience what it’s like to be behind the wheel. Honestly, I can’t wait. »