Toto Wolff has revealed that Lewis Hamilton straightforwardly informed Brad Pitt that he was too old to play a Formula One driver competing for World Championships in a movie. This frank discussion, which left the renowned actor unimpressed, led to a revision of the film’s script.
Initially, Pitt’s character, Sonny Hayes, was envisioned as an experienced racer challenging the elite in Formula One for a championship. However, in the revised version, he makes a comeback to Grand Prix racing in his 50s, driving for the struggling fictional team APX GP alongside the rising star Joshua Pearce, played by Damson Idris.
This significant alteration occurred after a gathering with Wolff, Hamilton, and others during the early stages of the project.
During the Autosport Business Exchange in New York, Wolff recounted the dinner event with Joe, the director, Jerry Bruckheimer, Lewis, Brad Pitt, Susie Wolff, and himself at their residence in Oxford, describing the surreal moment when Brad Pitt arrived.
Wolff went on to explain that the original concept had Pitt’s character, Hayes, as a driver vying for a World Championship. However, Hamilton’s input led to the realization that Pitt was deemed too old for the role, prompting script adjustments that enhanced the character’s credibility.
The Formula One film, where Hamilton served as an executive producer, achieved great success, impressing critics, generating excitement among new fans, and breaking box office records to become the highest-grossing sports movie ever, earning £467 million ($628 million) worldwide.
The feedback from key figures in the racing community was positive. Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+, and Hayu, along with 135 channels and comprehensive Formula 1 coverage.
Wolff expressed satisfaction with the film’s reception among F1 drivers and team principals at the Monaco premiere during the grand prix, praising its entertainment value and remarkable revenue generation.
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