F1: Brad Pitt and film crew seen at British GP start

–by Mark Cipolloni–

Hollywood actor Brad Pitt, who has been cast as an F1 driver in a movie designed to expose the sport to the masses, was seen in his movie racing driving suit at Silverstone during the British Grand Prix weekend.

The star, and co-star Damson Idris, were spotted in white and black racing suits on the grid at the Northamptonshire circuit on Sunday.

Pitt and Idris in racing suits represented the fictional APXGP team as they mingled among real F1 drivers at Silverstone.

Pitt, a heartthrob to most women, told Sky Sports he was “a little giddy right now”.

“It’s great to be here,” he said.

“We’re just having such a laugh, [the] time of my life.”

The Oscar-winner is playing the role of a veteran driver returning to the grid after a 30-year absence.

The film is being made together with F1, providing the project with special access to racetracks and drivers.

Pitt told Sky Sports TV announcer Martin Brundle his character had moved to racing in other disciplines after suffering a “horrible crash” in F1, and is asked to come back to help his old team who are sitting at the bottom of the leaderboard.

Pitt told Brundle “should be as authentic as we can get it” as they have employed F1 experts who have been “operating the show like the real thing”.

“Lewis Hamilton, who’s also our producer, is really intent that we respect the sport, that we really show it for what it is,” he said.

“And I’ve got to tell you, as a civilian, I had no idea what it takes to be a driver and the aggression and the dexterity – they’re amazing athletes who I have so much respect for, everyone out there in all classes.”

Filming is due to continue throughout the F1 season.

Brad Pitt’s car in F1 movie