Domenicali: ‘Massive’ F1 film will surpass impact of Drive to Survive

Formula 1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali believes the commercial impact of the upcoming F1 film starring Brad Pitt will be “massive” and surpass the popular success of Netflix’s ‘Drive to Survive’.

The Apple Originals film – titled simply ‘F1’ and directed by Joseph Kosinski (Top Gun: Maverick), and produced by Hollywood’s legendary Jerry Bruckheimer – has been in production since last year and aims to take the sport's popularity to new heights.

F1 has already seen a surge in viewership in recent years, fueled in part by the successful Netflix docu-series ‘Drive to Survive’ that offers a behind-the-scenes look at the lives of drivers and teams, and which has captivated a younger demographic for F1.

The ‘F1’ movie promises an even deeper dive into the world of Formula 1. Filmed extensively during real Grand Prix weekends, the film will feature the actual drivers on the current grid and draw inspiration from real-life scenarios.

• Read also: F1 movie 'unlike anything done before' says director

Stefano Domenicali anticipates a significant impact that will surpass even the success of ‘Drive to Survive.’

"I think that if Netflix was big, I think that the movie – and we discussed in Hungary the plan of commercialisation and promotion – will be massive,” the F1 boss told Motorsport.com.

“We’re going to hit a target that is not yet present.”

Domenicali emphasized that the film will remain true to the essence of Formula 1, avoiding sensationalism to maintain authenticity for existing fans.

"There was one element that was not negotiable: to do something unique. But in the context where we cannot touch the racing itself, because that’s the sport, with different cuts, with different elements, we are doing a movie,” he explained.

“So I do believe that you will be fascinated also to see the making of it, because people will realise the complexity that we are managing and the things that are behind it. It is really impressive.”

Beyond entertainment, ‘F1’ presents an opportunity to test innovative photographic technologies that are likely benefit the sport itself in the future.

“We are developing together new technology of cameras, with different angles of view,” he said.

“So I would say it’s a nice place to develop certain new technologies that we’re going to bring afterwards.”

While the epic will roar into theaters internationally on June 25 2025, the film’s first official teaser was released last month on YouTube. Check it out here.

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter