Hamilton opens up on ‘super experience’ being producer of upcoming F1 movie

Lewis Hamilton has described being the producer of the upcoming Formula 1 movie as a “super cool experience”, Afrosport reports.

The seven-time world champion not only produces the film, but also features one of the cast members that stars Hollywood A-list actor Brad Pitt as the lead character.

The F1 movie, which features all 20 drivers from the 2023 season as well as former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner and three-time 24 Hours of Le Mans winner Benoit Treluyer, will be set for theatrical release in cinemas outside the United States on June 27.

“Coming on board to this project as a producer has been such an incredible learning process for me, seeing what goes into making a feature film, and there’s been a lot of learning on the other side too as everyone has got to grips with Formula 1,” Hamilton told the F1 website.

“I’ve always loved film and telling stories, and I’ve loved this sport since I was five years old, so when I got the opportunity to speak with Joe Kosinski and Jerry Bruckheimer about the project, it felt like the two worlds I’m passionate about coming together.

“I remember in the early days of the project I got to meet with Brad and go through the script, join meetings with the teams at Apple and Formula 1, and be part of some of the early casting processes. From those first conversations, to watching it all come together, it’s just been a super cool experience and I can’t wait for everyone to see it!”

Meanwhile, Hamilton expressed how amazing it was to work with lead actor Pitt, who portrays Sonny Hayes, an F1 driver in the 1990s who had a horrible crash and was forced to retire from the series.

“I never thought I would get to work with Brad Pitt. I’m a huge fan of his films, and I think the first time I met him was in Jerry’s office over Zoom, which was crazy enough, but then we got to go to a track and I learned how much he’s into motorsport, particularly bikes, and saw the natural ability he had behind the wheel. It was really cool,” the 40-year-old added.

“I remember us both standing at Silverstone circuit, at Copse, and I was showing him the things that I look for when I’m going into that corner, and we were talking about the fact that ultimately drivers are elite athletes and there is so much that goes into racing that you don’t see; the G-force and everything that our bodies go through, the rigorous training we have to do to be able to do these races.

“He was really interested in that level of insight so he could bring as much authenticity as possible to his role.”