Damson Idris, the British actor who starred alongside Brad Pitt in the blockbuster film F1: The Movie, has been appointed as a global brand ambassador for Formula 1, the motorsport organization announced today.
The appointment follows the film’s commercial success, generating $633.2 million at the box office, according to Wikipedia, making it the most successful sports movie of all time. Idris played Joshua Pearce in the film, which depicts a veteran Formula One driver, Sonny Hayes (played by Pitt), returning to the sport to mentor a rising talent.
“I’m delighted to welcome Damson Idris officially to the Formula 1 family,” said Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1, in a statement. “Following his starring role in F1 The Movie, which made history at the box office and helped bring our sport to new audiences, he is joining us as an official Global Brand Ambassador.”
Domenicali emphasized the importance of authenticity and shared vision in the partnership. “In Formula 1, we are all about authenticity and Damson is passionate about the sport and shares our vision to grow it, so it’s fantastic that we’ll continue to work with him. With his incredible platform and position in the entertainment and lifestyle space, together we will push the boundaries of how we reach fans.”
Idris expressed his enthusiasm for the role, highlighting the intersection of culture, performance, and precision that Formula 1 represents. “I’ve always been drawn to spaces where culture, performance, and precision meet, and Formula 1 sits right at the centre of that,” he said. “I had an enormous amount of respect for it before making the film, but getting closer to it gave me a real understanding of the innovation, the heart, and the intensity behind everything, and the elite level the drivers operate at.”
He added, “I’m genuinely excited to step into this role as a Global Ambassador. Being part of this world now means a lot to me, and I’m proud to represent something that inspires and connects people all over the world.”
F1: The Movie, directed by Joseph Kosinski and starring Pitt, Idris, Javier Bardem, and Kerry Condon, was released in June 2025. The film’s production involved collaboration with the FIA, the governing body of Formula 1, and featured real-life racing sequences adapted from actual Grand Prix events. Lewis Hamilton, a Formula One driver, also served as a producer on the film, according to IMDb.