F1 drivers and team bosses speak up on the movie that started its on-track shoot during British GP with ‘APXGP’ garage at Silverstone.
The likely titled ‘Apex’ movie started its on-track filming at Silverstone where a 11th garage was set-up between Mercedes and Ferrari in the middle of the pitlane. Its leading pair of Brad Pitt a.k.a Sonny Hayes and Damson Idris a.k.a Joshua Pearce were present too.
The two also attended the drivers’ briefing and took part in the pre-race national anthem along with other official rituals. The two did run in between different sessions and also did start during the formation lap but did not complete the full lap.
Post its completion of shoot at Silverstone, they will undertake running at more venues which includes next weekend’s Hungarian GP. They are driving a modified F2 car which was prepped by Mercedes, but the idea seemingly came from Frederic Vasseur.
Here’s the F1 drivers and team bosses talking about the shoot –
Lewis Hamilton: “There’s not much more I can say apart from what I’ve already told before. It was really exciting to see… I saw Jerry walking in. I know, on the other side, I was here a week or two before Austria, watching Brad practice. And it’s massively exciting to see it all coming together. And to know that we’re finally started to film, it’s like there’s nerves naturally, because it’s something we’ve been working on for so long. And we want everyone to love it and to really feel that we encapsulate what the essence of this sport is all about. So that’s our goal. I hope we can do you proud. I mean, Brad was just coming by flat out. But we did do a day together at a track in LA. And yeah, he drove… For someone that hasn’t raced, he’s definitely already got a keen eye. He loves watching MotoGP, so he’s always been a racing enthusiast. So he already had a knack for the lines. And he was definitely fully on it, which is good to see. Brad looks like he’s aging backwards, so, I mean, he looks great for his age, and of course that was a big topic at the beginning when we were discussing the original… the first story.
“He’s super-fit, he’s been training, and I think with… at the end of the day, it’s a movie, so there will be a Hollywood element to it that will make it believable. Brad’s such an iconic actor, he’s always done such an incredible job, so I can’t tell you how excited I am to have Brad Pitt in the Formula 1 movie. It’s incredible. I think he’s going to do a great job. I’ve been really incredibly grateful to F1 management. I don’t know if this would have been possible 10 plus years ago, when the old management was in place. They wouldn’t have perhaps seen this as an important step in terms of the sport’s growth. But we’ve already seen the great work and impact of the Netflix show and I think this will take it to new heights beyond that. So yeah, I think there’s so many people around the world, as you’ve seen already, that are so excited about this sport, wanting to learn more.
“And the fact that we will have all the original characters that are actually on the grid, and then Brad, is pretty cool. In terms of authenticity, I’m pretty certain, I mean, our cameras are a lot better than what you’re seeing when you’re watching TV. I’ve seen all the footage of the camera positions. I’ve spent time with Joe, trying to make sure we’ve got the best camera positions and the frame rate is different, it’s going to look fast. I think it’s going to look faster than it does on TV. Because I think it’s something to do with the frame rate that we have to have. But Joe is an incredible director, and I think you’re going to see him really… You’ve already seen what he’s done with fighter jets, what is what he did with Maverick. So just think about what he’s done with that in terms of the dogfights you saw from those jets, which was pretty epic. And bringing that technology and that viewpoint into our world, I think it’s going to be amazing.”
Esteban Ocon: “I’ve been listening to what Lewis was saying and reading in the press as well. And I’m sure the movie is in good hands, you know, with Lewis. Obviously scared that it always goes too far in one direction. But I think, you know, with Lewis on board advising everything that’s needed to keep how our sport should be is definitely interesting. And I just love racing movies, motor sport movies, and I can’t wait to watch it.”
Lando Norris: “I think it’s great. I think to be part of…I don’t know if we’re really going to be in it that much, but to be part of something I think is pretty, pretty cool. I know, actually, the stunt double… I forgot his name. Who’s the main actor? Yeah, that one! Sorry, my bad…Yes, the stunt double for Brad. The weird thing is, he doesn’t have any hair, so I don’t know how it really correlates well, but he’s the stunt double for the driving scenes. He’s been talking about it and saying some things, and it’s all sounds pretty cool, looks pretty cool, they’re doing a good job as a big production obviously. Yeah, nice, especially for us to be part of something, whether we’re really that involved in it or not but for them to…The garage is pretty nice. Kind of jealous of some of the things that they’ve got. But good for that. I know they’re going to be on track driving at certain times and from what I’ve heard Brad’s done a good job as well with the driving and stuff like that. So yes, cool. I just hope they don’t ruin our…I think they’re joining us on the installation lap on the race from what I’ve heard, so I just hope they don’t ruin that. But yeah, we’ll see.”
Sergio Perez: “It was fun. I’m really curious to see what they manage to achieve in the movie. That will be nice to see.”
Toto Wolff: “We’ve been involved pretty early and I think when we had the first discussions, we sent Brad to a driving school in France, going through the Formula cars from Formula 4 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. And we had a few laughs – but I think it’s a very good narrative, and the effort they’ve put in, we helped them – it was Fred’s idea, I think – to use an F2 car and build the bodywork around it that looks like an F1 car.
“And 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. And then 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. But yeah, massive, when you go in the garage and the whole set-up they have behind it, really unbelievable.”
Frederic Vasseur: “We had some discussion a couple of months ago, perhaps a bit more than one year, and I’m not sure for the fans it’s a big difference. I think the job done on the car is amazing, and I’m not an expert of all these things but when you go into the garage, you have the feeling that it’s a proper F1 team, and even better than some teams. It’s amazing what they did and I hope that it will be at the level expected, because it would be a huge push for the F1.”
Christian Horner: “I have seen none of it. Brad Pitt was on the grid. He made Fernando Alonso look young. I am sure…All the ladies loved it…”
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