Lewis Hamilton and George Russell gushed over Brad Pitt and his notable presence at the British Grand Prix – but not everyone was so thrilled about it.
The film star will be a regular sight on the grid between now and the end of the season. That's because he's the star of a new Formula 1 movie.
For authenticity, plenty of scenes are being filmed at real Grand Prix weekends. At Silverstone, an 11th garage was dressed up for the fictional APX GP team for which Pitt's character will drive.
Shots were being filmed in the paddock with an army of extras serving as team staff. Pitt and co-star Damson Idris even lined up at the back of the grid for the formation lap before the start of Sunday's race in specially modified Formula 2 cars.
There was plenty of interest in Hollywood's presence at the race weekend. However, it's safe to say that Max Verstappen wasn't exactly caught up in the excitement of it all.
"I think they're going to use some shots of everybody, in terms of onboard cameras and stuff," he said. "I completely can't be bothered with this. In the end, a film is always made to create a little bit of a show in it. Because yes, of course, it won't all be real. But I think it's all fine. I'm actually not that much into it."
Among his fellow F1 drivers, Verstappen's view was not one that was widely shared. After Pitt and movie director Joseph Kosinski appeared at a meeting of the drivers on Friday, Hamilton declared it was "probably the best drivers' briefing we've ever had".
His Mercedes team-mate Russell said: "I think it's one of those when you when you see a worldwide superstar for the first time, it's quite surreal.
"And then it's only when you get to be with those individuals – whether it was Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt or Roger Federer, whoever we've been fortunate enough to meet – you recognise they're just normal human beings. He was joking around and having a good time and just kind of one of the boys, really."
Charles Leclerc opined: "It's fun, it's a new face and definitely quite unexpected to see Brad in the drivers' briefing. They did a bit of a brief of what to expect for the movie and it just is very exciting. I'm looking forward to seeing it. Nice guy."
And Pierre Gasly added: "I must say it's not every day you get the chance to see Brad Pitt. We got the chance to meet him and they introduced themselves and the movie. It was definitely a special moment. Apart from the drivers' briefing and sitting right in front of Brad Pitt, everything kind of felt normal. So, on my side, I will say it has changed nothing."
