Mercedes has shed light on its involvement with the 'APXGP' fictional F1 team that will feature in the Hollywood epic that is currently in production, with filming taking place this weekend at Silverstone.
From its two mock-up Grand Prix racers to a fully fitted garage and pit wall gantry, no effort has been spared by legendary producer Jerry Bruckheimer to embed as much realism as possible into the yet untitled film starring Brad Pitt which takes places in the world of F1.
But when APXGP's black and gold machine broke cover on Thursday at Silverstone, one could not help but notice the presence on the car's bodywork of several Mercedes sponsors, including AMG.
Team boss Toto Wolff confirmed that the Brackely squad had contributed some hardware and engineering services to the film directed by 'Top Gun: Maverick' director Joseph Kosinski an for which Lewis Hamilton is a co-producer and special advisor.
"We’ve been involved [since] pretty early [on]," Wolff told the media at Silverstone.
"When we had the first discussions, we sent Brad to a driving school in France, going through the Formula cars from F4 all the way up and we tried to be helpful with the narrative.
"Lewis is an executive producer, so he wanted to make sure when the movie comes out, it’s as realistic as possible."
APXGP's machines are basically F2 cars that have been fitted with F1-style bodywork, supplied by Mercedes.
"We've had a few laughs, but I think it’s a very good narrative, and the effort they’ve put in, we helped them to use an F2 car and build the bodywork around it that looks like an F1 car," added Wolff.
"Then the garages and the pit wall, all of it, we tried to be helpful and give them the designs so they could be as realistic as possible. You see now, that is such an effort.
"I spoke to the director a few weeks ago and said: 'Where are you?' expecting him to tell me he’s in Hollywood. But he said: 'I’m in my apartment in Brackley,' so it’s not all great with being a movie director.
"When you go in the garage and the whole set-up they have behind it, really unbelievable."
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