Brad Pitt hails Silverstone as F1 hits cinemas

A Hollywood star has described the home of the British Grand Prix as "hallowed ground" as a new film about Formula 1 is set to open in cinemas.

Brad Pitt made the comments about the Silverstone Circuit in Northamptonshire, where he shot scenes for F1: The Movie, due for release this week.

The production had a fully operational garage situated in a real F1 pit lane at the circuit during the 2023 and 2024 grands prix.

"We were on hallowed ground," Pitt said. "It was very humbling, stepping into a sport that is so revered and treated like religion. We just wanted to make sure we didn't get in anyone's way."

The 61-year-old plays fictional veteran driver Sonny Hayes, a former star returning to the grid after a long absence.

The film was shot at real racing locations, including Abu Dhabi and Silverstone and Rockingham in Northamptonshire.

F1 stars including Lewis Hamilton, who is a producer on the film, Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc also appear alongside Pitt.

Director Joseph Kosinski, who also directed Top Gun: Maverick, said filming at actual grands prix presented major production challenges.

"Usually when we're making a movie, we are in control of our own schedule," he said.

"But when you're shooting at a real grand prix, we had to work with the F1 schedule. That was a huge logistical challenge."

F1 described the movie, with parts being filmed in real-time during grands prix, as a "landmark for the sport".

Damson Idris, who co-stars as young driver Joshua Pearce, said the on-track experience added realism.

"It was the most fun I've ever had in my life. At those speeds, it really is a freeing feeling," he said.

"By the end of filming, we were very, very confident drivers to the point where we've convinced ourselves that we can actually compete."

Rob Jaina, who spent two decades as a pit lane incident officer at the circuit, was contacted by the film team to be an extra.

"To add to the authenticity of the film, they were looking for people who actually do the role, so I was contacted to play the role of me essentially," he said.

Mr Jaina spent about a month filming on and off, and even met one of the star names.

"I remember seeing [Brad Pitt] for the first time... he was wearing a very bright yellow shirt and yellow linen trousers and a matching hat. There's not many people who could carry off that outfit and still look quite cool," he added.

"It was a bit of a strange experience but fantastic."

F1: The Movie is out in cinemas on Wednesday.

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