British actor Damson Idris is gearing up for the release of the highly-anticipated F1 movie directed by Joseph Kosinski, where he stars alongside Hollywood heavyweight Brad Pitt and real Formula 1 drivers. In a recent interview with Vanity Fair, Idris shared his experience auditioning for the film and the excitement of working with such a star-studded cast.
Idris plays the role of Joshua Pearce, the teammate to Pitt's character Sonny Hayes at APXGP, a fictional racing team on the grid. The actor recalled his first day of filming at the British Grand Prix last year, where he found himself surrounded by racing legends like Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen.
The movie follows the story of Sony, a former driver who comes out of retirement to mentor and team up with the younger driver Joshua. Hamilton, a seven-time F1 world champion and current Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 team driver, also served as a producer on the film.
Idris shared the challenges of filming inside the race cars in Abu Dhabi, describing the intense heat and physical strain of being strapped in for long periods. Before stepping into the racing suit, he had to prove his driving skills to Kosinski and producer Jerry Bruckheimer by testing at the Silverstone Circuit in the U.K.
Reflecting on his experience working with Kosinski, Idris praised the director's vision and described him as a true master of cinema. He also had high praise for Brad Pitt, highlighting the actor's talent and humility both on and off the set.
The F1 movie is set to hit theaters in North America on June 27, 2025, promising audiences a thrilling cinematic experience that combines high-speed racing action with a star-studded cast.
