How Real Is Brad Pitt’s ‘F1 The Movie’ Compared to Real Formula 1 Racing?

As F1 The Movie revs into theaters and IMAX on June 27, fans are asking the big question: How real is Brad Pitt’s ‘F1 The Movie’ compared to the adrenaline-fueled world of Formula 1? The buzz hit a new peak when Brad Pitt and girlfriend Ines de Ramon turned heads on the F1 NYC red carpet, giving fans a glimpse of glam before the high-octane drama took over the screen.

Real-Speed Driving with Pitt & Idris

Brad Pitt and co-star Damson Idris didn’t just mime the action—they spent four months training in actual F1 cars. Director Joseph Kosinski, the academy award winner confirms: “If you see Brad’s face, it’s him driving… often at speeds up to around 180 mph.”

So yeah—those heart-pounding corner shots? Totally real.

Mini IMAX Cameras in Real Race Cars

Forget bulky rigs. Kosinski and producer Lewis Hamilton had Mercedes build special F1 cars with mini IMAX-ready cameras glued on. These rigs captured Pitt and Idris slicing through curves at full throttle, bringing authentic track drama to the big screen.

Filming Inside Actual Grand Prix Events

Production wasn’t confined to studio sets. With permission from F1, the crew shot during real race weekends—squeezing in scenes during tight windows between practice laps. Kosinski says it was both thrilling and unpredictable.

What F1 Stars Had to Say

Lewis Hamilton, also a producer, said he’d never seen a movie that truly captures what it’s like to be in an F1 car. That seal of approval speaks volumes. Meanwhile, Kosinski swapped track time with Hamilton behind the wheel of a Porsche—and well, it clearly sparked some envy.

Cruise vs. Pitt: Who’s Faster?

There’s even a cheeky nod to Kosinski’s past work with Top Gun: Maverick—this time with Pitt versus Tom Cruise behind the wheel. Kosinski teases that fans would “pay to see” their karting rivalry reignited. Plot twist: maybe that’s the sequel?

Final Lap Verdict

How real is Brad Pitt’s ‘F1 The Movie’? Real enough to require serious training, real enough to race during actual Grand Prix events, and real enough to thrill audiences craving authenticity. If you’re rooting for real torque on the big screen, Pitt’s pedal-to-the-metal ride hits the apex.