Brad Pitt will drive on track at this summer's British Grand Prix as filming begins on his Formula 1 film.
Lewis Hamilton is playing a key role by assisting with the script for the film, which is yet to be given a title and will be created by Apple Studios. Joseph Kosinski, director of Top Gun: Maverick, and leading producer Jerry Bruckheimer are part of the project.
The storyline of the film will see a driver, played by Pitt, coming out of retirement to compete alongside a rookie. The paddock had been aware that filming would take place on track during race weekends, but this will only occur when no other cars are on track.
Mirror Sport understands that Pitt will not be driving an F1 car, instead it will be an F2 or F3 car that has been adapted with a small 6K camera so that footage can be captured for the film.
Hamilton has opened up on his role, saying: “I don’t know absolutely every single plan with all the things we’ll be doing in the paddock, I’m more focused on making sure the script is where it needs to be. That’s where all the time is currently, going through the script.
“We’ve got a really great and diverse cast. Joe’s focus is to make us as embedded in this sport as possible. For me it’s to make sure it’s authentic, and that all of you and racing fans see its authenticity and say ‘this is believable’, and have a view of racing from a different perspective than you might see on TV.
“I’m spending a lot of time right now helping Joe and the team get the script right, it’s an amazing process and I’m really enjoying it.”
There will be an electric atmosphere at Silverstone as ever with the organisers kicking off the event with a music night on Thursday, which will feature leading DJ Calvin Harris among other chart topping stars. The racing in recent years has also featured incredible drama.
Last season Carlos Sainz won his first F1 race after converting his pole position into victory. He had to battle against a late safety car, which had British fans dreaming on a Hamilton win as the Mercedes driver threatened to take the chequered flag before finishing third.
The year before that, with Hamilton and Max Verstappen involved in an epic title battle, the pair collided on the first lap, resulting in the Dutchman crashing out and Hamilton dropping down the order before he mounted a late charge to take the controversial win.
