Bruckheimer spills on Brad Pitt’s extraordinary “F1” training: “It doesn’t come easy”

F1 movie producer Jerry Bruckheimer has detailed the extraordinary lengths Brad Pitt went to ahead of filming. The 61-year-old actor underwent months of training to prepare himself for the character of Sonny Hayes, a former Formula 1 driver making a comeback to the sport.

In an interview with TODAY (embedded bellow), producer Bruckheimer discussed how both Pitt and his co-star Damson Idris readied themselves for such a demanding role – one that saw both actors race in Formula 2 cars alongside other F1 drivers. 

“He [Brad Pitt] works hard, you know – it doesn’t come easy,” the Top Gun producer explained. “He works out, he trains. He trained for three months to be able to get in these cars, along with Damson [Idris].”

The training regimen allowed the actors to acclimatise to the demands of high-performance race cars, beginning with Formula 4 cars and eventually ending with them driving the Mercedes-developed Formula 2 machinery that was featured on-screen. 

“We started him in a road car, then we went into an F4 car, then an F3 car, and finally into our car, which has an F2 engine with an F1 body that Mercedes designed along with Joe [Kosinski, director]. These are rocket ships that they’re driving.”

It began at Circuit Paul Ricard in France, where both Pitt and Idris underwent training while the production’s prototype cameras were tested. With vast run-off areas, the circuit was perfect for the rookie drivers. This wasn’t a one-time thing, though. The American actor drove approximately 6,000 miles in these cars. 

F1 Movie scene

Photo by: Apple

“We ended up driving for about two years,” Pitt told Variety. “I was told that we drove 6,000 miles in total in these cars. So, I’m kinda proud of that.”

“Every time I was behind that wheel, it was the most exhilarating feeling in the world,” Idris added in the same interview. And the fact that we got to follow the real Grand Prix and be around all the drivers – I got to watch them, and I got to really see how they immerse themselves in the world – and they were so welcoming.”

Lewis Hamilton, working on the film as a producer and consultant, was more than complimentary about Pitt’s driving skills.

“Watching Brad drive around at speeds over 180 miles an hour was really impressive to see because it’s not something you can just learn overnight,” he told reporters ahead of the 2025 season start. “The dedication and the focus that Brad put into this process has been amazing to witness.”

When Bruckheimer was asked if there was ever a moment as executive producer that he didn’t want to watch, it was Pitt sitting behind the wheel.

“I’ll tell you what – my happiest day was when he climbed out of the car for the last time in Abu Dhabi,” he admitted. “That was his unhappiest day, ’cause he loved it so much. And he misses it. He talks about how thrilling it is to drive these cars.”

F1 will be released globally on 25 June with it being released in the United States two days later.