Brad Pitt was overjoyed after his cameo appearance at the British Grand Prix, with the Hollywood superstar claiming he had “the best time of my life” among F1’s elite.
Filming scenes for an upcoming movie likely to be called Apex, Pitt could be seen at Silverstone in full F1 attire as he spent considerable time interacting with a number of teams at their paddock as his film crew aimed to get life-like representation of the action for his upcoming flick.
However, while most F1 drivers were stoked to spend time with the celebrity, reigning F1 champion Max Verstappen was far from enthused with what he saw.
A specially adapted F2 car was used for filming purposes during Pitt’s trip to the Silverstone circuit, with Sky Sports reporter Martin Brundle getting up and close with the film crew to understand exactly what was going on.
Pitt told Brundle: “I’m a little giddy right now, I’ve got to say. And it’s just great to be here, man. We’re just having such a laugh, such a laugh. It’s the best time of my life.
“Listen, it’s all been great. I mean, the vibe is amazing, you know that, but just to get to be a part of it in this way, and get to tell our story, and everyone’s been really cool with us.
“All the teams have opened their doors for us, the FIA, Mohammad [Ben Sulayem] has been really helpful. And Stefano [Domenicali], everyone has just been really, really amazing, that we can do this. And it’s going to be really good.”
Verstappen far from impressed with Brad Pitt’s entry
Verstappen was quite skeptical about the entire event though and claimed that he wasn’t “really into it”.
“I think they’re going to use some shots of everybody, in terms of onboard cameras and stuff,” Verstappen 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. I’m actually not that much into it.”
What is the movie about and what role will Brad Pitt play?
The movie will see Pitt play a retired racing driver who has been coaxed by his friend — an owner of a low-ranked team — to help nurture a young prodigy that they have recruited.
Pitt accepted that as far as realistic representation of a racing driver is concerned, he is perhaps past that age.
“I would be a guy who raced in the nineties,” he told Brundle. “In fact, I would have been on the track with you at some point!
“He has a horrible crash, kind of craps out and disappears and then is racing in other disciplines. And then his friend played by Javier Bardem is a team owner.
“They’re a last place team, they’re 21 and 22 on the grid, they’ve never scored a point. And they have a young phenom played by Damson Idris. And he brings me in as a kind of a Hail Mary. And hijinks ensue.”
Pitt was largely well received by F1 fans and staff members, with Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton going as far as saying that the drivers’ briefing that was attended by Pitt was “probably the best we’ve ever had”.