Finishing fifth and still stepping onto the Formula One podium was an unexpected end to George Russell’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Charles Leclerc, the Ferrari driver who had previously been on the podium after starting 19th on the grid, stood on the opposite side of the podium from Russell. Sonny Hayes, the veteran racer from APXGP, stood between Russell and Leclerc in his white and black racing suit.
Hayes is the fictional character portrayed by Brad Pitt in the movie “F1,” produced by Warner Bros. and Apple. The movie has become embedded in the F1 world over the past two seasons. APXGP, Pitt’s fictional team owned by Javier Bardem’s character, has been given a full garage setup at races and lined its Mercedes-designed cars up on the starting grid to create the most realistic racing film ever.
After the race in Abu Dhabi, a second podium ceremony was held to capture scenes for the movie in front of fans who were asked to remain in their seats after the race for a chance to be in the film.
Abu Dhabi marked the conclusion of on-site filming for “F1.” The movie is set to be released on June 27 in North America and June 25 in the rest of the world next year. Producer Jerry Bruckheimer mentioned that about two-thirds of the movie is already edited and final touches are being made.
Actor and producer Lewis Hamilton played a crucial role in providing input for the film. He ensured that the racing scenes were authentic and closely resembled real-life experiences on the track. Eddy Cue, Apple’s Senior Vice President of Services, emphasized the importance of making the racing scenes as realistic as possible.
The movie features extensive training and testing for the actors, with Brad Pitt and Damson Idris piloting the APXGP cars used in the film. The filming took place during grand prix weekends in front of fans, leading to some clips being shared online. However, the producers were confident that no major plot details were revealed.
The conclusion of on-site filming in Abu Dhabi was delayed due to last year’s actors and writers’ strike in Hollywood, but the project was never in jeopardy. Both Bruckheimer and Cue expressed their optimism and dedication to creating an impactful film that showcases the world of Formula One to a broader audience.