Brad Pitt disclosed that the plot of F1: The Movie drew inspiration from notorious events in the championship’s history, notably the 2008 Crashgate scandal during the Singapore Grand Prix, leading to bans for several Renault team members. The movie, released globally this week, echoes multiple storylines reminiscent of the scandal, though without explicit mention of penalties or bans. Pitt, portraying ex-driver Sonny Hayes, highlighted the team’s approach to the project with immense admiration for F1 when asked on the Beyond the Grid podcast.
The character, Sonny, deliberately commits strategic errors triggering a safety car to aid his team-mate, Joshua Pearce, portrayed by Damson Idris. Despite not catering to F1 fans or journalists, the creative team aimed to captivate new audiences, drawing on real events without glorifying unethical conduct. Director Joe Kosinski emphasized the intention not to depict cheating, instead exploring the thin line between pushing limits and unsportsmanlike behavior.
Producers highlighted Lewis Hamilton’s involvement in maintaining authenticity and narrative allure while developing the script. CEO Stefano Domenicali stressed the film’s appeal even to those unfamiliar with motorsport, striking a balance between authenticity and engaging storytelling in line with Jerry Bruckheimer’s viewpoint.
