Cast of F1 (Film): Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Full List

Hollywood has churned out countless racing movies, but F1 takes a fundamentally different approach by filming during actual Grand Prix weekends with real champions competing alongside fictional characters. A-list star Brad Pitt teams with rookie Damson Idris, and the preparation both actors put in sets this production apart from any previous racing drama.

Lead Actor: Brad Pitt as Sonny Hayes · Rookie Driver: Damson Idris as Joshua Pearce · Director: Joseph Kosinski · Key Supporting: Javier Bardem, Kerry Condon · Release Year: 2024

The table below consolidates key production and cast details from multiple sources, including official F1 announcements and entertainment reporting.

Who is Brad Pitt supposed to be in the F1 movie?

Brad Pitt plays Sonny Hayes, a former F1 driver who comes out of retirement to partner with a rookie at the fictional APXGP team. According to Formula1.com, Hayes is the veteran lead driver for the APXGP operation, bringing experience and star power to a team otherwise dominated by younger talent. The character serves as both mentor and competitor to his rookie teammate.

Sonny Hayes role details

Sonny Hayes is characterized as a former champion who walked away from the sport under unclear circumstances, then returns when the opportunity arises at APXGP. The fictional team operates at the center of the film’s narrative, competing against real F1 teams portrayed during actual Grand Prix weekends.

Training and preparation

Brad Pitt did not simply act in a simulator. According to Mens Health, Pitt racked up over 6,000 miles of driving in preparation for the role. He drove modified Formula 2 cars on real tracks during actual F1 weekends, capturing interior shots that feel authentic because they are. Formula1.com confirmed that Pitt and Idris “acted and raced simultaneously in real F1 settings,” with new cameras inspired by Top Gun: Maverick filming techniques.

Damson Idris took the preparation equally seriously. Formula1.com reported that during preparation at Silverstone, Idris took Copse Corner flat out—in front of Lewis Hamilton. “I can confirm I was flat through Copse and I did it in front of Lewis Hamilton, too! That was a big one for me,” Idris said. “I just really wanted to push myself.” This commitment to authentic driving set the tone for the entire production.

Who is the Irish actress in the F1 movie?

Kerry Condon, the Irish actress with distinctive red hair, appears in F1 the Movie alongside Brad Pitt and Damson Idris. According to Formula1.com, Condon plays Kate McKenna, a key member of the APXGP team, though the precise nature of her role—engineer, strategist, or support staff—has not been fully detailed in available sources.

Kerry Condon as Kate McKenna

Condon’s casting brought an accomplished Irish actress known for her precision work in television and film to the production. Her character, Kate McKenna, operates within the APXGP team structure, though specifics about her responsibilities remain limited in public information.

Role as team engineer

The available credits suggest Kate McKenna functions as an engineer or technical team member given the context of racing drama storylines. Condon’s preparation involved on-track experience alongside the other leads, following the radical preparation protocol the cast undertook on and off the track, as documented by Formula1.com.

Did Brad Pitt drive the F1 car?

Yes—Brad Pitt drove modified F2 cars on real F1 tracks during filming, capturing genuine in-car footage rather than relying solely on greenscreen or simulation. The production used modified Formula 2 machinery to represent the fictional APXGP cars, filmed during actual Grand Prix weekends when the real F1 field was competing alongside them.

On-track filming

According to Formula1.com, filming took place at real Grand Prix events using modified F2 cars as the APXGP machines. This meant real track surfaces, actual Grand Prix weekend conditions, and genuine crowd atmosphere surrounding every shot. The Formula1.com video titled “Brad Pitt and Damson Idris prove they really did drive in F1 the Movie” documented this authenticity directly.

Real vs stunt driving

The distinction matters. Mens Health reported that both Pitt and Idris “drove the cars themselves on F1 tracks for interior shots.” This was not a case of actors riding as passengers while stunt drivers handled the actual driving. While professional drivers were present for safety and additional high-speed passes, the actors performed substantial portions of the on-track filming themselves.

Which actress was cut out of the F1 movie?

Simone Ashley, known for her role in Bridgerton, was originally cast in F1 the Movie but did not appear in the final film. Director Joseph Kosinski explained the decision was driven by story fit rather than any issue with Ashley’s performance or commitment.

Simone Ashley explanation

Kosinski addressed the cut publicly, noting that creative choices sometimes require removing characters or actors whose presence no longer serves the narrative structure. In a production as complex as F1, with its dual focus on fictional team APXGP and real-world F1 cameos, certain storylines and roles evolved or were eliminated during the editing process.

Director’s comments

The specific details of Ashley’s role and why it was ultimately cut have not been extensively documented. The decision reportedly came during post-production, with Kosinski making choices to tighten the narrative focus around the core Sonny Hayes–Joshua Pearce partnership and the prominent real-driver cameos that anchor the film’s authenticity.

Who are the real F1 drivers in the F1 film cast?

Real F1 drivers appear throughout F1 the Movie, from brief background cameos to plot-significant appearances. ScreenRant documented that the film features Max Verstappen, Sergio Pérez, Charles Leclerc, Carlos Sainz Jr., and George Russell among others. Lewis Hamilton appears both in a cameo role and as the film’s producer.

Cameos from Max Verstappen

Max Verstappen appears frequently throughout F1 the Movie, according to Operation Sports. His appearances include post-race highlights, podium ceremonies, and notably a feisty battle at Monza. At 27 years old during filming, Verstappen represents one of the film’s most prominent real-driver presences, appearing as himself competing against the fictional APXGP team.

Charles Leclerc and others

Operation Sports also documented appearances by Charles Leclerc, Carlos Sainz, George Russell, and Lando Norris in podium scenes and race battles. Additional drivers reportedly include Sergio Pérez, Oscar Piastri, Valtteri Bottas, Zhou Guanyu, Lance Stroll, Nico Hülkenberg, Daniel Ricciardo, and Yuki Tsunoda—though many of these cameo appearances are brief and largely background-driven.

ScreenRant noted that Hamilton “appears in the film and faces off against APX team in the final race,” with Joshua Pearce spinning out alongside Hamilton at the movie’s climax. Sky Sports added that Sky Sports F1’s Rachel Brookes also has a small speaking role, providing authentic broadcast commentary alongside the fictional drama.

The table below summarizes real driver appearances and their significance to the narrative.

Production and key crew

Beyond the on-screen talent, F1 the Movie assembled a production team built for authenticity. Joseph Kosinski directed, bringing his Top Gun: Maverick experience with real-action filming techniques. Jerry Bruckheimer produced alongside Lewis Hamilton, who consulted closely with the creative team to ensure racing scenes met professional standards.

ScreenRant documented Hamilton’s credentials: seven world titles, 105 wins, 202 podiums—statistics that lend credibility to his producer role. His involvement went beyond financing. Mens Health reported that Hamilton “consulted closely with the creative team for realism,” reviewing driving technique, team radio authenticity, and race scenario accuracy.

“I can confirm I was flat through Copse and I did it in front of Lewis Hamilton, too! That was a big one for me. I just really wanted to push myself.”

— Damson Idris, Formula1.com interview

“Damson Idris and Brad Pitt drove the cars themselves on F1 tracks for interior shots.”

— Mens Health

Summary

F1 the Movie works because it refuses shortcuts. Brad Pitt drove thousands of miles on real Grand Prix circuits. Damson Idris took Copse flat out in front of Lewis Hamilton. Real drivers—Verstappen, Leclerc, Hamilton himself—appear as themselves rather than edited-out or background-wiped. The cast blends Hollywood precision with motorsport authenticity in a way that makes the film’s racing footage feel earned rather than faked. For racing fans, the driver cameos provide genuine thrills even in brief appearances. For general audiences, the Brad Pitt–Damson Idris partnership delivers dramatic stakes grounded in physical reality.