F1 official trailer reveal with Joseph Kosinski

Brad Pitt takes the wheel in thrilling first F1 trailer from director Joseph Kosinski

Hotshot rookie Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris) and “the greatest that never was,” Sonny Hayes (Brad Pitt) in F1. Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures / Apple Original Films.

The first full trailer for F1 – a highly anticipated upcoming Formula One film starring Brad Pitt and directed by Top Gun: Maverick’s Joseph Kosinski – has officially dropped, and it hints at a high-speed, adrenaline-pumping cinematic experience to rival the groundbreaking filmmaking behind Maverick.

Kosinski, who pushed the boundaries of camera technology and human limits to masterfully bring aerial combat to heart-pounding life in the Top Gun sequel, now shifts gears to the world of racing. Speaking to Popcorn Podcast and select invited media on his inspiration for the project, Kosinski reveals he found himself at a loose end during the pandemic.

“Like a lot of people during COVID, I found myself starting to watch the races and discovered this great television show called Drive to Survive. I found that it’s an incredibly unique sport where your teammate is also, in many ways, your greatest competition. For me, that makes for great drama.”

In the film, Pitt stars as Sonny, a veteran driver described in the trailer as “a man who lives in a van… a gambling junkie who missed his shot… the best that never was”. An accident cost Sonny everything, but he is convinced by former teammate and struggling team owner Ruben (Javier Bardem) to come out of retirement to mentor young rookie Joshua (Damson Idris).

F1 is in Australian cinemas from June 26. Warner Bros. Pictures / Apple Original Films.

The story isn’t just about speed and victory, but also friendship, teamwork, and redemption, explains Kosinski. “This story has everything,” he says. “It has the tension you would expect in a movie like this with all the action, but at the same time, there’s real heart here, especially in the story of Sonny Hayes and this kind of redemption journey he’s on.”

Once again Kosinski’s commitment to authenticity is evident in the innovative methods used to capture the film’s thrilling racing sequences. Rather than relying solely on CGI, the production team worked with Mercedes AMG and Formula One engineers to modify six real F2 cars, equipping them with specialised camera systems. “Every time you see Brad or Damson driving in this movie, they’re driving on their own in one of these real race cars on a real F1 track,” Kosinski reveals. “What we captured is something you can’t fake.”

Director/Producer JOSEPH KOSINSKI on the set of Apple Original Films’ “F1®,” a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo by Scott Garfield Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures / Apple Original Films

The involvement of seven-time F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton as a producer added an extra layer of realism. Hamilton not only guided Pitt and Idris through intense driving training, but also provided invaluable insights into the mindset of an F1 driver. “I’ll never forget having Lewis Hamilton as driving instructor,” Kosinski recalls of the months of training that went into getting Pitt track ready. “What Lewis was really interested in was seeing if Brad knew how to drive. And what he discovered was that Brad had a lot of natural ability right from the start.”

The trailer also showcases the film’s impressive cast, including Academy Award-winner Javier Bardem and Banshees of Inisherin star Kerry Condon. With breathtaking visuals, high-stakes drama, and authentic racing action, F1 is set to immerse audiences in the electrifying world of motorsport.

But Kosinski assures the film will appeal to both racing enthusiasts and casual moviegoers alike. “The story is universal; it just happens to be set in this incredibly exciting world of Formula One.”

With F1 expected in Australian cinemas from June 26, and Brad Pitt behind the wheel and Joseph Kosinski at the helm, it’s already shaping up to be a movie event that will have us on the edge of our seats.