A Hollywood star has described the home of the British Grand Prix as "hallowed ground" as a new film about Formula 1 is set to open in cinemas. Brad Pitt made the comments about the Silverstone Circuit in Northamptonshire, where he shot scenes for F1: The Movie, due for release this week. The production had a fully operational garage situated in a real F1 pit lane at the circuit during the 2023 and 2024 grands prix. "We were on hallowed ground," Pitt said. "It was very humbling, stepping into a sport that is so revered and treated like religion. We just wanted to make sure we didn't get in anyone's way." The 61-year-old plays fictional veteran driver Sonny Hayes, a former star returning to the grid after a long absence. The film was shot at real racing locations, including Abu Dhabi and Silverstone and Rockingham in Northamptonshire. F1 stars including Lewis Hamilton, who is a producer on the film, Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc also appear alongside Pitt. Director Joseph Kosinski, who also directed Top Gun: Maverick, said filming at actual grands prix presented major production challenges. "Usually when we're making a movie, we are in control of our own schedule," he said. "But when you're shooting at a real grand prix, we had to work with the F1 schedule. That was a huge logistical challenge." F1 described the movie, with parts being filmed in real-time during grands prix, as a "landmark for the sport". Damson Idris, who co-stars as young driver Joshua Pearce, said the on-track experience added realism. "It was the most fun I've ever had in my life. At those speeds, it really is a freeing feeling," he said. "By the end of filming, we were very, very confident drivers to the point where we've convinced ourselves that we can actually compete." F1: The Movie is out in cinemas on Wednesday. Follow Northamptonshire news onBBC Sounds,Facebook,InstagramandX.
Brad Pitt hails Silverstone as F1 hits cinemas
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"Brad Pitt Describes Silverstone Circuit as 'Hallowed Ground' for Upcoming F1 Film"
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TruthLens AI Summary
Hollywood actor Brad Pitt has praised the Silverstone Circuit in Northamptonshire, referring to it as "hallowed ground" in light of the upcoming release of his film, F1: The Movie. The film, set to hit cinemas this week, showcases the world of Formula 1 racing and features scenes shot at Silverstone, the home of the British Grand Prix. Pitt, who portrays a fictional veteran driver named Sonny Hayes, expressed his awe at being part of a sport that holds significant reverence among its fans. While filming, the production team set up a fully operational garage within a real F1 pit lane during the 2023 and 2024 grands prix, emphasizing the film's dedication to authenticity and the respect for the racing tradition. Pitt emphasized the importance of not disrupting the real races, stating, "We just wanted to make sure we didn't get in anyone's way," illustrating the care taken to honor the sport's integrity.
The film not only stars Pitt but also features real F1 drivers like Lewis Hamilton, who serves as a producer, as well as Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc, adding to the film's credibility. Director Joseph Kosinski, known for his work on Top Gun: Maverick, acknowledged the unique challenges of filming during actual grand prix events, stating that coordinating with the F1 schedule posed significant logistical hurdles for the crew. Co-star Damson Idris, who plays a young driver named Joshua Pearce, remarked on the exhilarating experience of driving at high speeds, claiming it was the most enjoyable time of his life. He noted that the experience made the cast feel like confident drivers, humorously suggesting that they were convinced of their potential to compete in real races. F1: The Movie is set to be released in cinemas on Wednesday, marking a significant moment for both the film industry and the world of motorsport.
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