Director Joseph Kosinski recently shared details about the most nerve-wracking day filming F1, his high-octane racing film starring Brad Pitt.
The film, which follows former Formula 1 driver Sonny Hayes (Pitt) as he makes a comeback and fights to save his team, included sequences shot during the real Las Vegas Grand Prix weekend in November 2024. Kosinski described filming in Las Vegas as the “scariest part” of the production.
“That race — it’s at night, it’s cold, the tires don’t have a lot of grip, and Brad did not have the opportunity to practice that track at all before the shoot because it only exists those three days out of the year,” Kosinski told PEOPLE.
The street circuit in Las Vegas has minimal run-off areas, meaning a single mistake could send drivers crashing into barriers. Temperatures hovered around 57°F — extremely cold for F1 cars, which lose traction in such conditions.
Kosinski admitted he was literally “crossing my fingers” during the shoot. However, Pitt’s extensive training and natural talent made him more than capable behind the wheel. Even with the inherent risks, the director never felt the production was irresponsible.
Pitt had prepared for the role with thousands of laps in training and was supported by co-star Damson Idris, who also displayed strong driving skills. By the end of filming, Pitt reportedly felt emotional leaving the car, demonstrating how much he loved inhabiting his character. Kosinski even allowed extra laps at the end of the final take so Pitt could savor the experience.
Looking ahead, Kosinski hinted at the possibility of a sequel:
“Based on the reception of the film, I would love to see what adventures Sonny Hayes is going on to next, and I think the audience would too. So we’re actually gonna start talking about that very soon, start kind of coming up with, ‘What could that next chapter of his story be?’”
F1 will stream globally on Apple TV starting December 12, offering audiences a front-row seat to Pitt’s thrilling performance on the real F1 track.