Director Joseph Kosinski gives us a look under the hood at the challenges and triumphs of bringing the intense spectacle of F1 racing to life on the big screen.
Joseph Kosinski knows a thing or two about delivering high-octane thrills, having previously helmed adrenaline-fueled hits like ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ & ‘Tron Legacy.’His latest venture takes audiences deep into the exhilarating world of Formula One, with Brad Pitt playing Sonny Hayes, a once-promising driver whose career was cut short by a serious accident. After years away from racing, he returns to guide rising talent Joshua Pearce, joining a struggling team they’re determined to fight their way up from the back of the grid. “I thought there was an interesting story to be told about an underdog team trying to not win the championship, but just trying to win one race against these titans of the sport. So that’s where it started,” says Kosinski about the film’s origins.
To capture F1’s blistering speed authentically on screen, Kosinski turned to none other than seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton. Hamilton’s involvement proved pivotal—not just in perfecting technical details, but in shaping the narrative itself. “We tell the story of Sonny Hayes, who’s a veteran racer, and then Joshua Pierce, who’s a rookie. Lewis has been both,” explains Kosinski. “He’s been the rookie, almost winning his first season in Formula One. And now, with seven World Championships, he’s seen it all. So his perspective shaped the narrative of these two characters and gave me a real insight into what it is that drives him, what makes these guys want to do this, day in, day out. It was really helpful. We couldn’t have made this film without him.”
Brad Pitt underwent extensive training to prepare for the role before he could convincingly pilot a car at speeds approaching 200 miles per hour. Kosinski recalled, “It required months, literally months, of training.” With Lewis Hamilton as his driving instructor, Pitt quickly demonstrated natural ability behind the wheel. “He’s just had that natural feel for grip in the car.” This fearlessness was essential, as Pitt performed many of his own driving scenes, making the action sequences genuinely thrilling. “I don’t know where he got that, or if he was born with it” the director shared, “He rides motorcycles, which I think has something to do with it, but he’s just a very talented, naturally gifted driver, which, for Lewis, after their first meeting, gave him a lot of confidence that we might have a shot at pulling this off”.
For Kosinski though, it’s not just about speed—it’s about creating characters you genuinely care about. “Casting is everything,” he insists. “The group of actors that we pulled together for this film is pretty incredible.” Alongside Pitt and Javier Bardem is Irish actress Kerry Condon, who plays the first female technical director in Formula 1. Her character is central to the team’s operations, overseeing race strategy and technical decisions in a male-dominated environment.Kosinski tells us that “she brings some healthy tension to the team.” He wants audiences to appreciate those unsung heroes behind every race—the engineers and technicians who rarely see glory but are vital to success on track. “There are literally thousands of people at the factory working on these cars, putting them together for the race” he explained.
Despite being set in the high-speed world of F1, Kosinski believes the film’s themes will resonate with audiences regardless of their familiarity with the sport. “This is a movie about friendship, teamwork, sacrifice, redemption. The story, I think, is universal,” he emphasized. Cinema goers can expect a thrilling ride that not only captures the speed and excitement of Formula One but also delves into the human side of the sport. With its blend of action, drama, and authentic storytelling, this movie promises to be a must-watch for both F1 enthusiasts and newcomers alike.