Production crews for the upcoming F1 film starring Brad Pitt and co-produced by Lewis Hamilton have set up shop at Daytona for IMSA’s Roar Before The 24 and for next week’s endurance classic at the venue.
The yet-unnamed Hollywood block-buster, produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and directed by Top Gun’s Joseph Kosinski, follows a story line based in Formula 1 that evolves around the character of veteran driver Sonny Hayes played by Pitt who comes out of retirement to help rookie F1 charger Joshua Pears – played by Damson Idris.
The film’s production crews embedded with real-life F1 at several Grands Prix last season, but apparently the story will also include an incursion into the world of IMSA, with Daytona as its backdrop.
Pitt will be on site at Daytona and will be working with Wright Motorsports, a team that competes in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.
One of the outfit’s Porsche 911 GT3 Rs, which competes in the GTD class, has been specially modified for the movie and features Pitt's character name, Sonny Hayes.
In real life, the actor’s #120 car will be driven in the Rolex 24 by Adam Adelson, Jan Heylen and Porsche factory driver Fred Makowieck.
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Another of the team's four cars will also be used in the filming, but it will retain the names of its regular drivers.
Bruckheimer, who also produced the Tom Cruise NASCAR epic ‘Days of Thunder’, has been named Grand Marshal for the 62nd Rolex 24 at Daytona, which officially begins on Thursday, Jan. 25.
“Daytona International Speedway is an iconic venue and it’s going to be an honor to give the command for the Rolex 24 At Daytona,” said Bruckheimer.
“I’ve been here for the biggest NASCAR race and now I can’t wait to experience one of the most prestigious sports car races in the world.”
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