Brad Pitt’s Formula 1 Film Nears Oscar Glory with Lewis Hamilton’s Backing

Four Academy Award nominations, including best picture, have been secured by “F1: The Movie,” a project co-produced by seven-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton. The film centers on the fictional APXGP racing team and the comeback story of veteran driver Sonny Hayes, portrayed by Brad Pitt, 62.

The APXGP car, central to the film’s narrative, was conceived and built by GK Evolution, a company specializing in creating vehicles for the screen. Founder Graham Kelly described the project’s origins as stemming from conversations initiated by Hamilton, who connected the filmmakers with Mercedes’ Applied Science division. This collaboration resulted in the creation of F1-style bodywork fitted onto a Formula 2 chassis, according to Kelly.

While APXGP is a fictional entity, the film’s production team prioritized authenticity. The cars were not merely cosmetic creations. they were equipped with real motorsport-grade engines, making them fully functional on a racetrack. This commitment extended to filming during actual Formula One events, with the APXGP team given its own dedicated pit garage at the 2023 British Grand Prix.

The film follows Hayes, a former racing prodigy, as he returns to the Formula One circuit alongside rising talent Joshua Pearce. Together, they aim to elevate the APXGP team to prominence in the highly competitive world of Formula One. The narrative explores the challenges of building a team and navigating the pressures of the sport, as well as the dynamic between the two drivers.

Directed by Joseph Kosinski and co-written by Ehren Kruger, “F1: The Movie” was released internationally on June 25, 2025, after nearly two years of production. Brad Pitt underwent extensive training, guided by Lewis Hamilton, to prepare for his role as a Formula One driver. The film’s release followed the conclusion of principal photography in 2024.

The film’s success has brought increased attention to GK Evolution, a company with a long history of providing vehicles for major motion pictures, including installments in the Bourne and James Bond franchises, as well as the acclaimed stunt sequences in John Frankenheimer’s 1967 film, Grand Prix. The APXGP project, however, presented unique challenges, according to Kelly, who had previously believed he had experienced the full spectrum of demands in creating cars for film.