Brad Pitt’s Formula 1 Film Release Date Confirmed

In a little over a year, you’ll be able to head to your local cinema and see a big-budget Formula 1 film, starring none other than Brad Pitt. The movie has been made in collaboration with Formula 1 itself, which today confirmed the release date of the currently untitled film as 25 June 2025 for most of the world, while those in North America have to wait a tiny bit longer - 27 June 2025.

Brad Pitt is by no means the only big name involved. It’s directed by Joseph Kosinski, and Lewis Hamilton’s Dawn Apollo Films company is attached. The Mercedes driver also serves as one of the film’s producers and will star as himself.

Pitt will play Sonny Hayes, an F1 driver who had a huge crash in the 1990s, forcing a retirement from the category. In the present day, he’s tasked with mentoring young driver Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris) who’s driving for what’s described as “a fictional 11th team on the grid”. Yep, that means all 10 of the real teams will appear.

Production began in 2023, with filming taking place “in real time” during Grand Prix weekends, including the running of a Dallara F2 car modified to look like a proper F1 machine. Shooting will continue at the British Grand Prix among other 2024 GPs, finishing at December’s season-closing Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Also starring are Kerry Condon (Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, Better Call Saul), Tobias Menzies (The Crown), Javier Barden (Dune, Skyfall) and Sarah Niles (Ted Lasso).

Apple Studios acquired rights to the Formula 1 film in 2022 for around $130 million. A big chunk of the budget will go to Brad Pitt, who’s reportedly netting $30 million for his involvement. The film will be distributed for the big screen by Warner Bros.

The world of TV and film seems more interested in motorsport than ever before, no doubt spurred on by the massive success of Netflix’s Drive to Survive. The same platform is also making a drama series about Ayrton Senna, while 2023 saw the release of Gran Turismo, based on the career of GT Academy winner Jann Mardenborough. Disney Plus has also gotten in on the action, via its Brawn GP documentary.