McLaren driver Lando Norris claimed victory at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday. The 25-year-old Brit’s win secured his team’s first constructor’s title since 1998. Ferrari drivers Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc rounded out the final official podium of 2024. Or so it seemed. Following the race, a second podium ceremony took place in Abu Dhabi, this time with Brad Pitt taking center stage.
For his new Formula 1 movie, Hollywood star Brad Pitt, playing the fictional driver Sonny Hayes, ascended to the top step of the podium. Dressed in his APX GP racing suit, he celebrated a victory at the Yas Marina Circuit. Charles Leclerc and George Russell were given supporting roles in the scene and also got to spray champagne.
The film follows the story of Formula 1 veteran Sonny Hayes, who makes a comeback with APX GP. He faces off against young Joshua Pearce, played by Damson Idris. Throughout the season, filming took place during several race weekends. Pitt and Idris were regularly spotted in racing gear in the paddock, filming between official sessions with specially modified Formula 2 cars. After the Las Vegas Grand Prix, footage of a scene in which Sonny Hayes ‘faints’ on the asphalt sparked hilarious reactions on social media.
Lewis Hamilton
Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton is one of the producers of the film, which is directed by Joseph Kosinski. The American director is known for Top Gun: Maverick (2022), the successful sequel to Top Gun (1986) starring actor Tom Cruise, who is also a good friend of Hamilton. In addition to Brad Pitt, Oscar winner Javier Bardem, Kerry Condon, Tobias Menzies, Sarah Niles, Kim Bodnia, Samson Kayo, and Callie Cooke will also play roles in the Formula 1 movie.
