Hamilton says Brad Pitt led F1 film will be 'best racing movie ever'

Lewis Hamilton has "high hopes" for the F1 film starring Brad Pitt that has been put on its rails, believing it will become "the best racing movie that's ever existed".

The talent behind the mega production, which was picked up by Apple Original Films, reads like a who's who of Hollywood, with Pitt, director Joseph Kosinski of 'Top Gun: Maverick' fame, screenwriter Ethan Kruger and legendary blockbuster producer Jerry Bruckheimer.

Hamilton is also attached to the movie as a co-producer.

The backdrop to the film sees a veteran racer – played by Pitt – coming out of retirement to mentor a younger driver and take his final stab at glory on the track as the young gun's teammate.

Pitt, Kosinki and Bruckheimer are all present this weekend at COTA taking in the sights and sounds of Formula 1 while meeting with team bosses and drivers as they conduct the groundwork to the film.

"What we’ve been able to put together so far, team-wise, is pretty incredible," commented Hamilton.

"I’ve got Tim Cook [Apple CEO] here this weekend, it’s such an honour to have him with us. Him and his team were so supportive with supporting my documentary and also green-lighting this movie.

"And then having Brad – legend. You’ve got Jerry, who really is an incredible legend of Top Gun, the original. And Joe is such a huge talent."

• Read also: Brad Pitt hits the pits ahead of forthcoming F1 movie

The team will reportedly blend real world F1 racing footage, most of which will be picked up during the 2023 season, with CGI imagery that will reflect authentic performances.

"I’m really, really excited. I have such high hopes for it," added Hamilton.

"I know we’re going to make the best racing movie that’s ever existed, both visually, and we’re going to work on making sure we pull on the heart strings of all those fans."

F1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali underlined the importance of Hamilton's involvement in the project.

"Lewis will be very important because he loves this new project, and he will keep the right authenticity to the movie that will be produced," said the Italian.

"I guarantee to you that the producer is the best in Hollywood, the director is one of the best in Hollywood, and the main actor, Brad Pitt, doesn't need to have any kind of introduction."

Domenicali said that he considered the blockbuster production as a logical step for F1 after the success of 'Drive to Survive' on Netflix.

"I think it's serious stuff," he said. "I'm very excited because we are somewhere where people think, ‘What's next?’

"And this is another step in the growth. We truly believe that it will enable F1 to be in another dimension that was not explored so deeply, and so well, until today.

"You will see a lot of things will happen next year on the preparation, and it's exciting because all the teams will be involved, the drivers, everyone. So it's fantastic.

"We are already planning all the activity and the activation that needs to be done in a real race weekend, we're going to start in the second half of the season for the production.

"We are still working on the details, because it's just the start of the plan, but you will see it will be quite interesting, I would say."

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