Standing on the grid before the 2023 British Grand Prix while `God Save the King` played, Damson Idris, a co-star in the upcoming Formula 1 film, found himself in extraordinary company. Reigning F1 world champion Max Verstappen was to his right, poised to start from pole position, and Hollywood superstar Brad Pitt was to his left.
“This is nuts,” Idris recalled thinking as the Royal Air Force`s Red Arrows display team jets roared overhead. In that moment, he had to remind himself he wasn`t Damson Idris, the Peckham kid who raced Lewis Hamilton`s McLaren on PlayStation, but his fictional character, Joshua Pearce, a promising rookie determined to prove himself in F1 against his veteran teammate, Sonny Hayes.
The final note of the national anthem was Idris` cue to become his character and walk back down the grid towards the black-and-gold car of the fictional APX GP team. Weaving between real F1 mechanics working on actual F1 cars before the real British Grand Prix, Idris and Pitt were being filmed by two movie cameras capturing a critical scene for the $300 million production.
With less than 15 minutes until the race began, there was no room for error or second takes. Tripping over a tire blanket or forgetting lines would mean losing the scene, impossible to reset and refilm.
“It was almost like live theater,” Idris told ESPN in an interview arranged by the film`s watch sponsor, IWC. “As soon as I turned around and started walking, `We Will Rock You` blasted over the speakers. I looked at Brad, and he was completely focused, he was Sonny Hayes. And I thought, `I need to be Joshua Pearce right now! Stop being Damson, stop panicking!` Time to act!
“But it was incredible, and I`m eager for everyone to see that part of the film because, for me, that was the point where I truly felt, `Okay, we are creating something genuinely special that will endure.`”
The movie, currently known as `F1,` is set to release in cinemas in June. It follows Pearce and Hayes as they race for the struggling backmarker team APX GP during the 2023 F1 season. Pitt`s character is on a journey of redemption, an older, seasoned racer given a final opportunity by APX GP team principal Ruben Cervantes, played by Javier Bardem. Idris portrays a young British driver making his mark in the sport.
Producer Jerry Bruckheimer and director Joseph Kosinski, who previously collaborated on `Top Gun: Maverick` to immerse audiences in the cockpit of Tom Cruise`s F-18, pledged to avoid green screens and film realistic stunts using actual race cars at genuine racing speeds.
Shot on track during Grand Prix weekends, Pitt and Idris drove modified F2 cars specially adapted by the Mercedes F1 team to blend in with the F1 grid. Throughout several races in 2023 and 2024, APX GP had its own garage and pit wall, allocated 15-minute track sessions between real F1 practice and qualifying sessions for filming.
With high-quality movie cameras mounted in the cockpits, viewers will see Idris` eyes through his visor as he pilots a real race car in some of the film`s most intense moments. This was a unique opportunity for Idris, who had no prior racing experience before the project.
“My first meeting with Joe and Jerry was a general chat in L.A. around 2022,” Idris recalled. “They spoke about their plans and got to know me. The following year, when we pursued the part, I asked Joe, `You know, Top Gun was real flying…` He confirmed it, so I asked, `So, this movie will involve real driving?` He said, `Yes.` I was like, `Okay…` and honestly, I was terrified!
“But through the training, this film taught me that there`s nothing anyone on earth can`t learn. Being in these cars and driving up to 180 miles per hour at times is the most exhilarating feeling.”
Caption: Damson Idris drove a modified Formula 2 racer for the on-track scenes of the upcoming F1 movie.
To ensure the driving scenes were safe and authentic, Idris and Pitt received extensive coaching before filming. An early track day at Silverstone saw Lewis Hamilton, an executive producer on the film, join the crew to drive various cars while the actors honed their skills in the F2 machines.
While not matching the speed of modern F1 cars, the APX GP vehicles were still incredibly fast and expensive. Professional drivers Luciano Bacheta (the 2012 Formula 2 champion) and Craig Dolby occasionally substituted for Idris and Pitt during more challenging stunts, including the actual formation lap at Silverstone after the national anthem scene. They also provided advice alongside Hamilton.
“Lewis was always there offering tips, and Luciano Bacheta and Craig Dolby were with us daily, teaching me how to navigate the track efficiently yet quickly,” Idris stated. “I owe a lot to those guys. When you see me and Brad in this film, you`ll see how much effort we poured into it.
“My favourite track is probably Austin, Texas, because I had a huge spin there, which made me feel like a proper driver. It wasn`t planned; I was training then, so no cameras were rolling. It`s funny because if they had been, Joe would probably ask, `Can we use that?` But it was fantastic, so much fun.”
After months of training and countless laps, the question arises: who was faster, 33-year-old Idris or 61-year-old Pitt?
“I`ll always say me,” Idris claimed with a wide grin. “I have to, because I know he`ll say him.
“But I will acknowledge he`s incredibly quick and excellent with a clutch because he rides bikes. There are probably shots of me stalling the car trying to leave the garage before hitting the track while Brad just zooms out. But honestly, on the track, we both had the same amount of fun.”
Pitt`s global fame is undoubtedly a major draw for audiences unfamiliar with F1. When Kosinski`s team filmed at races, it was common for F1 personnel, journalists, and even drivers to seek an encounter with the Hollywood icon.
“I was his security guard for 20 months,” Idris joked about working with Pitt. “No, he`s simply the GOAT. He`s a living legend.
“That man is remarkable, so humble, proving that arrogance is truly unnecessary. He`s the ultimate star and collaborator, constantly wanting me to shine in this movie. When you watch the film, any time Joshua excels, it`s thanks to Brad. He created that space for me and genuinely taught me, as a person and an artist, that with focus and motivation, there`s nothing you can`t achieve.”
The film`s trailers have hinted at what to expect, though specific plot details remain confidential. Consequently, Idris couldn`t elaborate on his character`s storyline, but he offered an interesting comparison between Joshua Pearce and current F1 drivers.
“Watching the new season of `Drive to Survive,` particularly with Oscar Piastri… I loved the dynamic last season and how Lando [Norris] was positioned as the main driver, while Oscar was talented but still learning. I connect that to developing the character of Joshua Pearce, even though APX is at the back of the grid [unlike McLaren].
“He`s a rookie like any other, genuinely striving to prove himself in the sport. He`s worked incredibly hard to reach his position in Formula 1. There are only ever 20 drivers on that track, or 22 if you include APX!
“So, Joshua embodies any young athlete trying to find their way and prove themselves to the world. I look at someone like [footballer] Lamine Yamal; a character like that definitely inspired me while playing this part.”
For Idris himself, the experience of making the movie has ignited a passion for racing. It`s not uncommon for Hollywood actors to venture into motorsport – Patrick Dempsey and Michael Fassbender have competed at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Idris is eager to see how he measures up against them in real competition.
“Absolutely,” he replied when asked about future racing plans. “I won`t reveal which team principal offered to pay for some lessons! But personally, I`d love to do something for charity, get on the track, and race Brad, Fassbender, Dempsey, [actor and Ferrari Challenge participant] Nicholas Hoult. A bunch of us could race cars and see who`s fastest, maybe even throw in some Formula 1 drivers like Lewis.”
Kosinski has confirmed that the final cut will feature several cameos from current F1 grid members. Idris mentioned there were “planned and unplanned” contributions from some drivers during filming.
Balancing authenticity in racing films with the need for a script that appeals beyond existing fans has always been challenging. For Idris, the true test of the film`s success in achieving this balance will be the reaction of F1 drivers after early preview screenings at this year`s Canadian Grand Prix.
“What I can say about the drivers is they were incredibly welcoming to me and Brad,” Idris added. “They made us feel part of the community, and I can`t wait to see their response to the film. They are the people I really want to impress.”
Rupert Caldwell 
Tristan Blackwood