Pitt blown away by McLaren F1 test: ‘Never experienced anything like it’

Brad Pitt may be used to fast-paced action on screen, but nothing quite prepared him for the real-life adrenaline rush he experienced last week at the Circuit of the Americas, courtesy of McLaren.

The Hollywood superstar, who plays fictional racing veteran Sonny Hayes in F1: The Movie, got behind the wheel of a 2023-spec MCL60 supplied by team papaya – and came away absolutely hooked.

While his on-screen role in the Joseph Kosinski directed blockbuster gave Pitt an opportunity to manhandle modified Formula 2 cars, McLaren boss Zak Brown offered the 61-year-old a chance to get to grips with the real thing.

“Still on a high”

Reflecting on the experience during his appearance this week on F1’s Beyond the Grid podcast, Pitt said he was blown away by the sensations behind the wheel.

“I got to hit 197 [miles per hour] this week,” he revealed. “I really wanted to hit 200, it hurts me a little bit. Three miles per hour short on the straight.”

But while the top speed came close to the 200mph mark, it wasn’t just about numbers for the star – it was the visceral feeling of driving that left the deepest mark.

“I've never experienced anything that's just a more feeling of presence in my life because you're so focused, but you're not white knuckling,” he explained.

“You're just in this, like, sublime groove. It is really extraordinary.”

Pitt admitted he’s struggled to find the right words to capture the rush of F1 downforce and cornering grip – even drawing comparisons to aerobatic flying.

“I try to explain this feeling of downforce and I fail every time because you try to say, like, a roller coaster, but that's not even right because you feel a fulcrum point underneath you. You're in it,” he said.

“I was in an aerobatic plane once and it's the closest thing. But still, this thing, this is such a unique feeling and an absolute high. I'm still on a high. I really am. I'm just still on a high.”

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• ‘A gem and a gent’: Brad Pitt praises Hamilton’s role in F1 movie

While Pitt could rely at COTA on the diligence and professionalism of McLaren’s test team, soaking in the atmosphere of an authentic F1 environment, he was also guided through the experience by Lando Norris.

“And I can't thank Zak Brown and the team and spent the day out with Lando. And just what a high,” he concluded.

After hitting 317km/h (197mph) in a McLaren rocketship, one thing’s clear: Brad Pitt isn’t just playing an F1 driver anymore – for a day, he was one.

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