Pitt having 'the time of my life' filming blockbuster F1 movie
Actor Brad Pitt admitted to feeling a "little giddy" after taking to the track at Silverstone onboard a mocked-up F1 car, but the megastar is having the time of his life filming the blockbuster that takes place in the world of Grand Prix racing.
Filming for the super production directed by Top Gun: Maverick's Joseph Kosinski began in earnest last weekend at Silverstone, where the fictional APXGP F1 team was added to the event's décor.
Production crews were ever-present during the four days, where filming took place against the backdrop of the live event. A pair of F2 cars, transformed into F1 machines by Carlin and Mercedes were rolled out to capture onboard footage that will later be blended with real race footage.
"I’m a little giddy right now, I’ve got to say," Pitt told Sky F1's Martin Brundle. "It’s great to be here. Having such a laugh, time of my life.
"It’s all been great. The vibe’s amazing, you know that. Just to be a part of in this way and tell our story. Everyone’s been really cool with us.
"The teams have opened their doors to us. The FIA, Mohammed [Ben Sulayem], have been really helpful. F1, Stefano [Domenicali] – everyone has been really amazing that we can do this. And it’s going to be really good."
Pitt underwent a thorough driver training for the film, with seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton overseeing part of his apprenticeship. And he didn't feel the least bit apprehensive when the time came for him to take to the track at Silverstone.
"No, I really wasn’t," he said. "The guys really prepared me well. There’s a couple of corners I can see the stands… on the straights you had a bit of time to look around.
"I’m really focused on the lines and what we’re trying to create in these moments.
“I wanna say, for all the armchair experts out there, you’ve got to give us a little breathing room if you see any spin-outs, or something that looks like a stall, it’s by design!"
The Apple Films production is relying on a distinguished faction of experts to advise the film's crews and to maintain the highest level of realism.
"Yeah we’ve got Trevor Carlin’s team," added Pitt. "They’ve been sensational keeping us safe and training us and operating the show like the real thing. It should be as authentic as we can get it.
"And also Lewis, who’s also our producer, who’s really, really intent that we respect the sport, that we really show it for what it is.
"I have to tell you as a civilian I had no idea what it takes to be a driver; the aggression, the dexterity, they’re amazing and I have so much respect for everyone out there in all the different classes."
Pressed by Brundle on the film's plot, Pitt gave a head's up on the latter and on his role as veteran comeback kid Sonny Hayes?
"So he has a horrible crash, kind of craps out and disappears and is racing in other disciplines," he explained. "And his friend, played by Javier Bardem, is a team owner.
"They’re a last placed team, there 21, 22 on the grid. They’ve never scored a point. They have a young phenom played by Damson Idris.
"He brings me in as a kind of Hail Mary and high jinx ensue.
"I’ll tell you what’s amazing about it. You’ll see the cameras mounted all over the car. You’ve never seen speed, you’ve never seen the G-forces like this. It’s really amazing."
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