Joseph Kosinski, the director behind the upcoming Formula One blockbuster ‘F1’, knows a thing or two about delivering high-octane thrills, having previously helmed adrenaline-fueled hits like ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ and ‘Tron Legacy.’ His latest venture takes audiences deep into the exhilarating world of Formula One, exploring themes of speed, teamwork, and redemption. At this week’s global trailer launch, Kosinski gave us an exclusive look under the hood at the challenges and triumphs of bringing the intense spectacle of F1 racing to life on the big screen.
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In ‘F1,’ Brad Pitt steps into the shoes of Sonny Hayes, a former Formula One star forced into retirement after a devastating crash. Pulled back onto the track by his longtime friend and team owner Ruben (Javier Bardem), Hayes is tasked with mentoring rookie sensation Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris). Together, they form part of a struggling team desperate to claw their way up from the back of the grid. “I thought that 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,” Kosinski praised. 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 Bardem are Irish actress Kerry Condon as well as Tobias Menzies and Kim Bodnia, adding depth and authenticity to this high-speed narrative. Speaking about Condon’s character—a technical director proudly sporting her Irish accent in the trailer —Kosinski noted: “She’s the team technical director… she’s the person in charge of designing the car; 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 passionately.
Yet at its heart, Kosinski says it’s Pitt and Bardem’s decades-long friendship that gives this story its emotional core and bring the script to life with authenticity: “Their friendship is an old one—it’s three decades old—it really is the core of this story and of this film, and just seeing them together on screen is really special.”
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. As the film prepares to hit cinemas this summer, 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.
F1 races into cinemas on June 27th
Photo Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures / Apple Original Films