Brad Pitt, the renowned Hollywood actor who has been cast as an Formula One (F1) driver in the movie “Apex,” is set to showcase his racing skills at Silverstone during the British Grand Prix weekend. Pitt will be captured on film as he races an adapted Formula 2 machine in between practice sessions on Friday.
The movie, in which Pitt plays the role of a veteran driver making a comeback to the grid after a 30-year hiatus, is being produced with the assistance of British champion Lewis Hamilton. Despite some raised eyebrows regarding Pitt’s age, Hamilton praised the actor’s appearance, stating, “Brad looks like he’s aging backwards. He looks great for his age. I can’t tell you how excited I am to have Brad Pitt in Formula 1. It’s incredible.”
During the Silverstone event, Pitt will have the track to himself in a modified car prepared by Hamilton’s Mercedes team. To create a more authentic experience, computer-generated imagery will be employed to make it appear as though Pitt is racing alongside the current grid of the 2023 season. The film crew will also be present on the grid before Sunday’s race.
Hamilton has actively participated in the preparations for the movie, aiming to ensure its authenticity—a factor that has been criticized in previous motorsport films. Expressing his excitement about the project finally coming together, Hamilton stated, “It is massively exciting to know it is all coming together, and we are starting to film this weekend. It’s nerve-wracking because we have been working on it for so long, and we want people to love it and feel that we have truly captured the essence of the sport.”
Hamilton further revealed that he had spent time with Pitt at a California track, assisting the actor in learning about the intricacies of race driving.
The filming of “Apex” is expected to continue throughout the remainder of the 2023 F1 season, bringing the electrifying world of Formula One to the big screen.