Formula 1’s highly anticipated silver screen debut is just over a month away, but Mercedes driver George Russell has already shared his enthusiastic first impressions of the upcoming movie, simply called ‘F1’, describing it as “so authentic” and a major moment for the sport’s mainstream appeal.
The film, due for release on June 25, 2025, stars Brad Pitt as Sonny Hayes, a retired F1 driver brought back into action to mentor rookie sensation Joshua Pearce – played by Damson Idris – under the fictional APXGP racing outfit.
Shot over two seasons, often on location on real race weekend and with significant input from Lewis Hamilton as an executive producer, the movie promises to capture the drama and intensity of motorsport at its highest level.
“So much drama” and “truly amazing” visuals
At an IWC Schaffhausen event held before last weekend’s Miami Grand Prix, Russell, who makes a brief appearance in the film alongside many fellow F1 drivers, said that he has already seen early footage – and he’s clearly impressed.
“The F1 movie is really going to showcase that so well. It’s got so much drama. We’ve been so lucky to see some clips already,” he shared.
“And I’ve been so impressed with what has been done because it’s sometimes very challenging to really showcase the speed that we go through the corners. And with the visuals that it’s got, it’s been truly amazing.
“I think it’s going to be great for Formula 1 too.”
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The level of detail that went into making the film authentic stood out to Russell – including one particular weekend when he was briefly confused about who was actually on the grid.
“To making this movie so authentic, I think it was in Silverstone a couple of years ago, we were lined up on the grid, ready for the national anthem,” he recalled.
“And I looked across and I saw Brad and Damson standing there alongside us. And I had to look twice, like there’s some new drivers on the grid here!”
Read also: Brad Pitt revs up in Formula 1’s electrifying 'F1' trailer“Then also when it came to the driving side, both of them were in the Mercedes F1 simulator, getting the practice in, because obviously they aren’t racing drivers. And I remember one day I was a bit delayed because Brad was doing some extra laps in the simulator because he was just enjoying it so much.”
“And I think that’s what will make this movie so authentic because the whole team were taking it so seriously.”
Toto Wolff: “Even for petrolheads like us, it’s authentic”
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff echoed Russell’s praise, highlighting how the film’s technology-driven approach brings both realism and emotion to the forefront.
“The technology is so great that you have used that seriously, even for petrolheads like us, it’s authentic,” Wolff said.
“And that is what I’m really looking forward, whether the public is going to enjoy that [authenticity] whilst having the amazing story of the drama, the glory, the love, the romance, the comedy you said is all in there.”
©Formula1
With stunning visuals, an A-list cast and production team - led by blockbuster produce Jerry Bruckheimer - and behind-the-scenes access few Hollywood productions have ever achieved, ‘F1’ looks set to be more than just a racing film.
It promises to be a high-speed, emotionally charged tribute to the sport itself – and if Russell and Wolff’s reactions are anything to go by, fans are in for something special.
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Russell ecstatic over upcoming ‘F1’ movie: ‘It’s been truly amazing’ F1i.com.
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