Brad Pitt’s High-Speed F1 Movie Debuts in Times Square and Gears Up for Global Release

17 June 2025

Hollywood and high-octane racing collided Monday night in Times Square, as F1® the Movie roared into public view with a star-studded premiere that united cinema buffs and motorsport legends. Headlining the splashy event was a dashing Brad Pitt, joined by his date Ines de Ramon, alongside famed Formula 1 drivers, their partners, and a setpiece black carpet flanked by real F1 cars.

The premiere followed hot on the heels of the Canadian Grand Prix, with Charles Leclerc, Alex Albon, Pierre Gasly, Nico Hülkenberg, Esteban Ocon, George Russell, and more racing straight from the track into Gotham’s glare. Seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton joined Pitt, both as co-star and producer, ably steering the film toward authenticity, a mission he amplified by bringing key race weekends and technical guidance into production.

F1® the Movie, directed by Top Gun: Maverick’s Joseph Kosinski, spotlights Pitt as Sonny Hayes, a former champion coaxed out of retirement to mentor promising rookie Joshua Peirce (played by Damson Idris). Filmed during actual races from Silverstone to Abu Dhabi, the movie blends real-life speed with cinema’s narrative power, and premieres internationally on June 25 (June 27 in North America) under Warner Bros. and Apple’s distribution partnership .

The media spectacle blended pit-lane grit with celebrity glamour. Leclerc, making his first official appearance with girlfriend Alexandra Saint-Mleux, described the film as “super Hollywood, but… did such a great job keeping it real,” noting that actual grid footage including his own Abu Dhabi podium finish remains intact. Drivers and team bosses including Toto Wolff, Christian Horner (with Geri Horner), Carlos Sainz, Jenson Button, and more took turns navigating a Times Square setup transformed into a full F1 grid, complete with engine roars and paddock ambience.

Critics have praised the film’s immersive ambition. Kosinski leaned heavily on Hamilton’s insight to model every braking point, overtaking move, and pit-stop sequence with real-world precision. Hamilton himself emphasized the importance of inclusivity making sure, for instance, team roles like pit crew representation were authentic and diverse. And Hamilton’s starring role off-screen reflects how sport figures are stepping forward as storytellers, not just subjects of dramatization.

Meanwhile, the personal touch was unmistakable. Pitt and de Ramon (32) enjoying rare PDA moments, strolled hand in hand down the carpet. The night marked their second high-profile outing this month, following a double date with Bradley Cooper and Gigi Hadid over the weekend.

This isn’t just another fast-paced drama, it’s a multimillion-dollar spectacle. With a reported budget approaching $300 million (though boosted by rebates and sponsorships), F1® the Movie aspires to fuse cinematic scope with racetrack realism. Its score by Hans Zimmer, a cameo-laden cast that includes several real F1 drivers, and direct involvement from the FIA consecrate a production that dares to accelerate across genres .

Early reactions from attendees have been enthusiastic. Sainz predicted a “before and after” for Formula 1’s visibility in popular culture, particularly praising how the film will reach broader audiences beyond traditional fans. Social media quickly filled with viral clips from the event enthusiastic tweets, video highlights, and looped shots of drivers and stars converging in New York’s neon heart .

The Times Square premiere is only the beginning. As F1® the Movie charges toward theaters worldwide, it brings more than thrills, it ushers in a new paradigm: the collision of elite sport and blockbuster cinema. For fans of speed and spectacle alike, the film promises a visceral journey behind the wheel and its premiere, thronged with rival racers and Hollywood luminaries, suggests the throttle is fully engaged.