The 2024 Formula 1 season ended in Abu Dhabi with not one, but two podiums! No, it wasn’t just Lando Norris and McLaren shining this time, but also… Brad Pitt!
After the real podium ceremony, the actor joined Charles Leclerc and George Russell for a unique scene directly tied to the filming of the highly anticipated Formula 1 movie, produced by Brad Pitt and Lewis Hamilton.
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A fictional podium with real drivers
Right after McLaren and Norris officially celebrated their victory, the podium scene was reenacted in a groundbreaking way. Brad Pitt, playing the role of Sonny Hayes, a driver for the fictional APX GP team, stepped onto the top step of the podium. Alongside Charles Leclerc and George Russell, they recreated a trophy ceremony and even sprayed rose water in the style of traditional champagne celebrations. In Gulf countries, champagne is replaced with this non-alcoholic beverage. Charles Leclerc is therefore the only F1 driver to step onto the Abu Dhabi podium twice this weekend! The festive and lighthearted atmosphere delighted the fans at Yas Marina. This extraordinary moment is part of the final scenes of the Formula 1 movie, produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, with Lewis Hamilton as one of the co-producers. Both Charles Leclerc and George Russell, in addition to being real-life drivers, are also involved in the project, blurring the lines between reality and fiction.
A demanding year for filming
Since the start of the season, Brad Pitt has been a regular presence in the F1 paddocks. From Silverstone to Las Vegas and this final showdown in Abu Dhabi, the actor filmed several scenes in front of live audiences. Racing footage was captured using specially modified cars driven by Pitt himself and his on-screen teammate, Damson Idris. One of the most striking scenes was filmed in Las Vegas, where a staged crash left spectators in awe. The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix marked the climax of this filming effort, concluding two years of production for this ambitious project. The movie’s global release is scheduled for June 2025, just before the Austrian Grand Prix, and it promises to immerse F1 fans in an unparalleled cinematic experience.
The unique bond between cinema and Formula 1
With this project, F1 takes its collaboration with cinema to new heights. The involvement of real teams, drivers, and the production crew highlights the scale of this endeavor. As a co-producer, Lewis Hamilton played a pivotal role in granting access to the sport’s exclusive backstage world. While this isn’t the first time F1 has inspired Hollywood, this film appears to push immersion to the next level. Combining authentic performances, nods to fans, and cutting-edge technology to capture the action, it has the potential to become a must-watch for motorsport and movie enthusiasts alike, much like Rush before it.
This article explores how the 2024 F1 season finale in Abu Dhabi merged fiction and reality with Brad Pitt on the podium, the behind-the-scenes of an ambitious filming project, and the growing influence of cinema in the world of motorsport. A colorful conclusion to an already unforgettable year.
Image: © Warner Bros
