British actor Damson Idris is about to become one of the biggest names in Formula 1 after learning the ropes alongside Brad Pitt.
However, as he’s now revealed, filming for their new movie simply titled ‘F1’ didn’t always go to plan.
Jerry Bruckheimer’s latest blockbuster will be released on June 25 and stars Idris as prodigy Joshua Pearce as the teammate of an old begrudged Sonny Hayes, played by Pitt.
Warner Bros. were given extraordinary access for the filming, regularly having their Apex Grand Prix cars out on tracks the same times as the rest of the F1 grid.
Race weekends where they filmed also saw a fictional 12th team garage fitted in the paddock and although preparations were immense, there were a few slip ups.
Speaking at the Goodwood Members Meeting in an event hosted by team sponsors IWC Schaffhausen, Idris told talkSPORT and those in attendance: “We wrapped in Abu Dhabi in December. This is actually the first time I’m getting back in a race suit.
“I kind of forgot how to tie my strap up, but it’s good. I’ve got some happy moments in this car, and some dark ones as well.
“But yeah, it’s great to see it, and it’s so good to see everyone interacting with it, too.”
Idris took to the track alongside the camera used for filming to show fans just how incredibly up close and personal the two vehicles got during shooting.
Yet luckily it wasn’t too close during one incident at the Hungarian Grand Prix.
“It was like theater. It was like working on stage again,” the London-born 33-year-old said.
“We had these small pockets of time, maybe ten minutes, that me and Brad could jump in the car and get all our bits around the track.
“It was funny, in Budapest, we had ten minutes, and I actually had to spin out at turn one, and then they had to wheel me back.
“We got to drive on all the racetracks. I also love Silverstone, of course, but just the crowd and the people that bring it out.
“Silverstone, Abu Dhabi, Spa, Budapest, Monza – every race had its own flavour, and they were so accommodating to us.
Recalling his own experience of F1, Idris added: “My first F1 race was Budapest 2018, and Lewis [Hamilton] won, and then I just went from race to race after that.
“I was a huge fan, doing the gridwalks. Everyone turns right, I turn left. I was always interested in the cars at the back too, but I just loved the whole experience of F1.
“But now, I’m just a fan of the cars, and I’m just a fan of the people. Getting to know so many of the drivers on a personal level, it’s definitely something I want to continue doing.”
As one of the most famous actors of all time, Pitt has understandably taken the poster space for the film, and trailers suggest a head-to-head between him and Idris.
But should they meet out again on the track, there would be only one winner.
“Definitely me, hands down. I’ll beat Brad any second,” the Black Mirror star said.
“He ain’t got nothing on me. He’s good on a clutch, though. He’s good on a clutch, but apart from that, no.
“He’s not beating me. I’m flat through Copse [Silverstone chicane]. He can’t play with me.”
