Toto Wolff has revealed an interesting encounter where Lewis Hamilton straightforwardly informed Brad Pitt that he was deemed “too old” to play a Formula One driver contending for World Championships in a movie. This candid exchange, which left the renowned actor unimpressed, led to a revision of the film’s script.
Initially, Pitt’s character, Sonny Hayes, was envisioned as a seasoned racer challenging the elite in Formula One for a championship title. However, in the revised version, the character makes a comeback to Grand Prix racing in his 50s, driving for the struggling fictional team APX GP alongside the young talent Joshua Pearce, portrayed by Damson Idris.
This significant change in direction transpired after a gathering with Wolff, Hamilton, and others during the project’s early stages.
Reflecting on the incident at the Autosport Business Exchange New York, Wolff shared, “At the beginning, I had the fortune of meeting several high-profile individuals. However, one particular dinner with Joe, the director, Jerry Bruckheimer, Lewis, Brad Pitt, Susie [Wolff], and me stands out.”
He continued, “The original concept portrayed Pitt’s character, Hayes, as a driver vying for a World Championship. Then Lewis pointed out, ‘That won’t work; you’re too old for a Formula One driver.’ Brad was taken aback by this feedback, believing he was at the right age to portray an F1 driver.”
The film, backed by Hamilton as executive producer, was a massive success, garnering praise from critics, igniting interest among a new audience, and breaking box office records to become the most commercially successful sports movie ever, earning £467 million ($628 million) worldwide.
The response from influential figures in the racing community was also positive, with Formula 1 enthusiasts able to enjoy live coverage of every practice, qualifying session, and race through Sky’s Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle, offering a discounted introductory deal saving £336.
Alongside access to Sky Sports, subscribers benefit from approximately 100 TV channels and complimentary subscriptions to Netflix and Discovery+.
Wolff further commented, “We, including all F1 drivers and team principals, watched the premiere in Monaco during the grand prix, and we were impressed. The movie was thoroughly entertaining, and the revenue it generated was exceptional.”
