Brad Pitt F1 Movie: Everything You Need to Know About the Release Date, Cast, and APXGP Car

After years of anticipation, F1 The Movie—starring Brad Pitt and set in the high-octane world of Formula 1—has finally hit theaters, and it’s already taking the box office by storm. Officially titled F1, the film blends real-world racing with cinematic spectacle in ways audiences have never seen before. With Joseph Kosinski at the helm and Lewis Hamilton serving as a producer and consultant, this film was destined to rev up not just fans of racing, but moviegoers across the globe.

In this in-depth guide, we’re unpacking everything you need to know: the F1 movie cast and characters, where it was filmed, whether the APXGP car is real, the story behind Sonny Hayes, and yes—the F1 movie ending explained. Buckle up.

What Is F1 The Movie?

The Brad Pitt F1 movie—now known simply as F1—follows fictional veteran driver Sonny Hayes, played by Pitt, who comes out of retirement to mentor rising star Joshua Pearce (portrayed by Damson Idris) at a struggling team called APXGP. The storyline unfolds across a season in the world’s most elite motorsport, capturing not just the adrenaline of the racetrack but the personal stakes behind the wheel.

Directed by Joseph Kosinski (Top Gun: Maverick), the film leans heavily into realism, blending footage from actual Formula 1 races with scripted drama. With its unprecedented access to live F1 events and racing circuits—including Silverstone, Spa, and Yas Marina—F1 creates an immersive experience that’s blurring the line between documentary and fiction.

Meet the Cast and Characters

The F1 movie cast is stacked with award-winning talent and fresh faces:

• Brad Pitt as Sonny Hayes, a retired driver returning to the grid.
• Damson Idris as Joshua Pearce, the prodigious young talent.
• Kerry Condon (The Banshees of Inisherin) as the team’s sharp and strategic engineer.
• Cameos and appearances from actual F1 legends, including Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen, and others, appear throughout the film.

While Sonny Hayes and APXGP are fictional, their stories are rooted in themes very real to racing: mentorship, risk, legacy, and redemption.

Is the APXGP Car Real?

One of the most searched questions since the movie's release is: is the APXGP car real? Yes and no.

The APXGP team is fictional, created specifically for the film. However, the car itself is very real and was built in collaboration with Mercedes-AMG and the Formula 2 racing team Carlin. Brad Pitt was filmed driving the car during real F1 race weekends, including during practice sessions at Silverstone and Spa.

So while APXGP doesn't exist in real life, the car driven by Brad Pitt in the F1 movie is 100% functional and based on real racing machinery.

How Was the F1 Movie Filmed?

The production of F1 redefined what's possible for sports films. Here's how:

• Filming during live races: Cameras mounted on the actual APXGP car were used during live F1 events, including Grand Prix weekends.
• Brad Pitt drove himself: Yes, Brad Pitt actually drove the F1-style car on track—though not during the actual races. His scenes were filmed in between sessions or in controlled environments on race weekends.
• Collaboration with F1: The filmmakers worked closely with Formula 1 Management (FOM), gaining access to pit lanes, paddocks, and team garages during active events.

For fans asking, why was the F1 movie shot during real races? The answer lies in authenticity. Director Joseph Kosinski wanted the racing to feel as real as possible—and shooting during actual F1 events gave the film an unmatched level of intensity and realism.

Lewis Hamilton’s Role as Producer

Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton isn’t just in the film—he’s one of its executive producers. His involvement helped shape the script and guide the authenticity of the racing culture portrayed. For those curious about the Lewis Hamilton F1 movie producer role, he was involved in:

• Driver casting and script consultation
• On-set technical advising
• Helping bridge the gap between Hollywood and the real-world F1 paddock

Hamilton has stated that one of his goals was to ensure that the film didn’t "cheapen the sport" and instead presented Formula 1 with the reverence it deserves.

F1 Movie Box Office Numbers

F1 didn’t just win over critics—it conquered the box office. According to Box Office Mojo, the Brad Pitt movie box office performance is one of the highest for a racing film since Ford v Ferrari and Rush.

Early reports indicate that the film grossed over $150 million globally in its opening week, with strong performances in both the U.S. and European markets—especially in the UK, Italy, and Germany where F1 has massive followings.

If you’re tracking F1 movie box office numbers, it’s on pace to surpass every prior Formula 1-themed film in terms of global reach and revenue.

The F1 Movie Ending Explained

Let’s dive into the spoilers. (Skip this section if you haven’t seen the film yet.)

Does Brad Pitt win the F1 movie? Not quite—but that’s the point.

At the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Sonny Hayes and Joshua Pearce are both in contention for a podium finish. But in the final laps, Sonny backs off and lets Pearce take the lead, knowing it's time to pass the torch.

So who wins the Abu Dhabi race in the F1 movie? Joshua Pearce does, giving APXGP its first major win and solidifying his place as the future of the team.

What is the twist at the end of the F1 movie? Sonny doesn’t retire. Instead, he’s promoted to Team Principal for APXGP, replacing the outgoing boss and bringing his legacy full circle—from racer to mentor to leader.

Fact vs. Fiction: What’s Real?

Still wondering: was Sonny Hayes a real F1 driver? No. The character is fictional, though inspired by stories of past greats like Nigel Mansell, Fernando Alonso, and even Kimi Räikkönen.

• Is APXGP a real F1 team? No—but fans have called for it to be added to the real-world grid!
• Did real F1 drivers act in the movie? Yes. Cameos from Charles Leclerc, Esteban Ocon, and Sergio Perez are sprinkled throughout.
• How accurate is the F1 movie to real racing? Very. Thanks to Hamilton’s oversight and Kosinski’s technical approach, the film nails the feeling, pressure, and glory of being behind the wheel.

F1 Movie Filming Locations

This is a cine-tourist’s dream. The film was shot on location at:

• Silverstone Circuit (UK)
• Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium)
• Hungaroring (Hungary)
• Yas Marina (Abu Dhabi)
• Circuit of the Americas (USA)

If you're looking up F1 movie filming locations, these tracks were chosen to showcase a range of weather, elevations, and historical significance.

Reviews and Reactions

Critics have been overwhelmingly positive. According to Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an 88% Fresh rating, with reviewers praising its blend of emotional storytelling and technical prowess.

F1 movie reviews highlight:

• A surprisingly heartfelt performance from Brad Pitt
• Jaw-dropping race cinematography
• Authentic, well-researched details from the world of F1

Fans have similarly taken to social media, calling it “the Top Gun: Maverick of motorsports.”

What Car Did Brad Pitt Drive in the F1 Movie?

Pitt’s APXGP car was a heavily modified Formula 2 chassis, outfitted to look and perform like a modern Formula 1 vehicle. Built in collaboration with Mercedes-AMG, the car delivered impressive on-track performance without the complexities of an actual F1 engine.

So for those asking what car did Brad Pitt drive in the F1 movie, the answer is: a hybrid of F1 design and F2 functionality—crafted specifically for cinema.

Behind the Scenes: Did Brad Pitt Really Drive?

Yes. Did Brad Pitt actually drive the F1 car for the movie? He did. Under expert supervision and after months of training, Pitt drove at Silverstone and other tracks at realistic speeds. Though stunt drivers handled the most dangerous sequences, his hands are genuinely on the wheel in much of the film.

This commitment brought an authenticity that separates F1 from previous racing films.

Final Thoughts

The Formula 1 movie was never meant to be just another sports film. With its unparalleled access to F1 races, commitment to realism, and the star power of Brad Pitt, F1 sets a new benchmark for motorsport in cinema.

Whether you're a die-hard fan or a newcomer, the film’s emotional core and thrilling visuals offer something for everyone. And with talks already surfacing about a sequel or a streaming series spinoff, F1 might just be the beginning of a new Hollywood motorsports era.