Red Bull have voiced concerns about being depicted as the villains in the upcoming F1 movie starring Brad Pitt, fearing the flick heavily influenced by Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton could paint Max Verstappen and Christian Horner’s team in a bad light after 2021.
The production, titled F1, is directed by Jeremy Bruckheimer and has integrated Mercedes extensively in both technical and creative aspects to help the film come to life ahead of a debut in the cinemas in 2025.
Notably, the fictional APXGP team’s cars are built on modified Formula 2 chassis but feature designs enhanced by the Silver Arrows for a more authentic Formula 1 look, in what are commonly called commonly mule cars.
They will also prominently display Mercedes logos, which has raised questions from other teams about their roles in the movie, and according to Bruckheimer, Red Bull expressed fear about their portrayal by worrying about being made into the villains in F1.
“Red Bull said, ‘We’ll end up as the bad guys,’” Bruckheimer told audiences during an investor event. “It took three years to reassure them that they wouldn’t be painted as the villains.”
He explained that convincing the reigning champions to participate in the project required extensive discussions, particularly as Hamilton takes on a key role as a producer to ensure the film remains true to the sport and thus is able to influence the narrative.
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“I make sure the film feels authentic so fans recognise its credibility,” Hamilton said of his role as a producer. “We also want to present the sport in a way that’s fresh and exciting.”
Realism vs. Drama in upcoming F1 movie
Filming has been conducted at real Grand Prix events, adding a layer of authenticity to the production, as Pitt stars as a retired driver mentoring a struggling team, and has even driven a specially modified car on track during live F1 weekends.
Despite Red Bull’s initial reluctance, the film’s commitment to presenting a balanced depiction of Formula 1 has reassured many, and Pitt praised Hamilton’s dedication to the project by saying, “Lewis ensures we respect the sport and represent it as it truly is.”
Scheduled for release on June 25, 2025, F1 will premiere in Monaco during the Grand Prix weekend, coinciding with the Cannes Film Festival. Private screenings for drivers and teams are planned before its global release.
With a stellar cast, including Pitt and Damson Idris, F1 promises to capture the drama, passion, and rivalries that define the sport, offering fans an unparalleled cinematic experience in a film that could be as successful as Ron Howard’s Rush (2013).
