Brad Pitt’s First Drive in an F1 Car: Testing at Circuit of the Americas with McLaren
Actor Brad Pitt, preparing for his role as a Formula 1 driver in the upcoming film "F1: The Movie," completed his inaugural drive in an actual F1 car at the Circuit of the Americas this week. The test, conducted by McLaren, featured the team’s 2023 MCL60, as confirmed by McLaren to Autosport.
Pitt’s visit to Texas followed the film’s premiere in New York. He was joined by McLaren driver Lando Norris, who provided guidance during the session, while teammate Oscar Piastri prioritized the test over the film’s event.
Interestingly, Pitt’s first outing occurred with McLaren, despite Mercedes’ significant involvement in the film. The Silver Arrows, with co-producer Lewis Hamilton, contributed to the film’s realism, including modifications to the F2 cars depicted. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff, who made an on-screen cameo, reported overseeing both the driving preparations for Pitt and the design elements for the fictional APX GP car.
Wolff revealed, "We also tried to be helpful with the garages and the pitwall, all of it, and give them the designs so they could be as realistic as possible." He noted that Pitt underwent driving school in France prior to filming.
The convergence of Hollywood and F1 remains strong, as Pitt’s interactions with team members like Wolff and George Russell highlight a burgeoning rapport between the actor and the motorsport community. As anticipation builds for the film, this private test underscores the increasing intersection of entertainment and elite motorsports.
