Brad Pitt’s F1 McLaren test: Onboard footage released

Formula 1 has released the much-awaited onboard footage of Brad Pitt driving McLaren’s 2023 car at the home of the Austin Grand Prix. While the actor can be seen driving tentatively, nursing the machine around the track, he exhibits a solid understanding of car control and a tonne of passion to go with it.

Fresh from the success of the F1 movie, grossing over $300 million worldwide and reportedly leading to Apple submitting a bid for the U.S. media rights to stream the series, driving the MCL60 must have rounded out the actor’s experience of the movie nicely. 

“I got to hit 197mph this week. I really wanted to hit 200. You know, it hurts me a little bit – three miles per hour short on the straight. This was at Austin,” he said on the Beyond the Grid podcast.

The footage, accompanied by a number of radio transmissions, captured Brad’s excitement as he experienced an F1 car for the first time. 

“You let me know if I’m going too slow,” he said coolly before pulling out of the garage and beginning his lap. While his lap time hasn’t been released to the public, McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown was complimentary. 

“[Martin] Brundle had him covered, but I’ll tell you what, Brad was impressive,” Brown told Sky Sports F1. “He took it very seriously. He wanted to see his data, thoroughly enjoyed it.”

Pitt was overjoyed about the experience. 

Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise

Photo by: Getty Images

“I’ve just never experienced anything that’s just, more feeling of presence in my life. You’re so focused, but you’re not white knuckling. You’re just in this sublime groove. It is really extraordinary.

“I try to explain this feeling of downforce, and I fail every time because you try to say like a rollercoaster, but that’s not even right, because you feel the fulcrum point underneath you – you’re in it.

“I was in an aerobatic plane once, and it’s the closest thing, but still this thing. This is such a unique feeling and an absolute high. I’m still on a high, I really am. I’m just still on a high.

“And I can’t thank Zak Brown and the team [enough]. I spent the day out with Lando [Norris] – just what a high, what a high.”