Brad Pitt's F1 Flick Gets Daytona Rejection Authenticity or Bust!

Why Brad Pitt’s F1 Movie Was Told ‘No’ at Daytona — For the Sake of Authenticity

The roar of engines, the thrill of the race, and the glitz of Hollywood – a combination that promises excitement. But what happens when the pursuit of cinematic brilliance clashes with the raw authenticity of motorsports? That's precisely the situation that unfolded during the filming of Brad Pitt's upcoming F1 movie, aptly titled "F1: The Movie," at the iconic Daytona International Speedway.

Imagine standing before Hollywood heavyweights like producer Jerry Bruckheimer (of "Top Gun: Maverick" fame) and director Joseph Kosinski. David Pettit, IMSA’s senior vice president of marketing and business operations, found himself in this very position. The mission? To help them navigate the complex world of Daytona and ensure the movie’s racing scenes were as realistic as possible. Little did they know, the road to authenticity would involve a firm "no" when they least expected it.

The Initial Pitch: Daytona as the Launchpad

The filmmakers envisioned Daytona as the perfect backdrop to introduce Brad Pitt’s character, “Sonny Hayes,” a seasoned former F1 driver making his mark in the prestigious Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona. The France family, owners of both Daytona and IMSA (and NASCAR), were on board, granting the production team unprecedented access. Pettit's role was clear: to push boundaries and help them achieve their vision.

The Unfettered Access

“My job is to help you break rules, to give you what you need,” Pettit boldly stated, setting the stage for a collaborative, albeit challenging, journey. The initial plan was ambitious. The filmmakers aimed to capture the essence of Hayes, showcasing his ability to compete at the highest level despite his age and past. The idea? Hayes would win the Rolex 24 (renamed the Daytona 24 in the movie). Just like in the F1 paddock, the production team immersed itself in the Daytona atmosphere for weeks during January 2024. The speedway offered a space equal to two football fields for the movie production.

Frank Kelleher, president of Daytona International Speedway, noted the synergy between the film crew and the motorsports community. “Highly educated people, highly motivated people, people that understand work is not done until the job is complete and the product is perfect. They worked a lot of hours. There was a lot of just harmony and collaboration with them.”

The Request That Hit a Wall

However, a request to manipulate the race's outcome to ensure Pitt's character won was quickly shut down. IMSA, while open to collaboration, was steadfast in maintaining the integrity of the race. Pettit explained that if they wanted a shot at winning, they could enter as a legitimate competitor with enough funding to field multiple competitive cars.
Instead, a new plan was hatched. The producers inquired about having a dedicated car solely for filming purposes, intermittently returning to the garage to swap out filming equipment. Again, IMSA declined, prioritizing the integrity of the competition.

The Compromise: Authenticity Through Collaboration

Instead of a dedicated car, IMSA proposed a partnership with an existing race team. Wright Motorsports, fielding a Porsche in IMSA’s GTD class (the same class Hayes would drive in the movie), was chosen. This team would carry multiple cameras to capture the desired footage while maintaining the authenticity of the race. The car sported a special livery mimicking Hayes’s “Chip Heart Racing” team, further blurring the lines between fiction and reality.
Pitt himself didn’t participate in the actual race, but the No. 120 Porsche, co-driven by Adam Adelson, Elliott Skeer, Jan Heylen and Frederic Makowiecki, finished 26th overall. The track even accommodated the production by extending an evening practice session, allowing them to film a pit stop sequence with Pitt driving the car.
Key Moments Achieved:

• Extended practice sessions for filming.
• Dedicated pit box for staged pit stops with Brad Pitt.
• Night shoots utilizing the track for stunt vehicles.

One particularly memorable moment involved Pettit taking Kosinski to the fireworks staging area, an area off-limits to most. This led to a spectacular shot of race cars speeding through the fireworks smoke, a visual feast born from Pettit's "outside-the-box" thinking.

The "No" That Made All the Difference

Despite the collaborative spirit, one request was firmly rejected: filming a victory lane scene during the actual Rolex 24 race. Kelleher, emphasizing the importance of authenticity, explained that the GTD class, which Hayes raced in, is the last to enter victory lane. By that time, it's a chaotic scene of champagne, confetti, and sweaty photographers. Filming a pristine victory lane scene before the real celebration would be a disservice to motorsports fans.
Kelleher suggested filming the real winner's celebration first, then recreating the scene with the movie's car afterward. The filmmakers agreed, realizing the wisdom in his recommendation. This insistence on realism ultimately elevated the movie's credibility.

Brad Pitt's Gratitude

The success of this approach was solidified when Pitt personally thanked Kelleher for his guidance, acknowledging that his suggestion resulted in a more authentic scene. This underscores the close collaboration between the film crew, Daytona, and IMSA.

“I’m like, ‘Holy s—, that’s Brad Pitt, everyone act cool,’” Kelleher said. “And then Brad Pitt reaches his hand out and he’s like, ‘Oh man, I can’t thank you enough. I can’t believe you let us shoot that shot during your actual victory lane celebration. Thank you.’”

The Quest for Authenticity Prevails

The story of "F1: The Movie" at Daytona is a testament to the importance of authenticity in filmmaking. It showcases the delicate balance between creative license and real-world accuracy. By embracing the challenges and respecting the integrity of motorsports, the filmmakers are poised to deliver a truly captivating and believable cinematic experience.

Ultimately, the "no" was not a roadblock, but a pivotal moment that ensured the movie resonates with both racing enthusiasts and casual viewers alike, solidifying its place in the history of motorsports cinema.

Tags: F1 Movie, Brad Pitt, Formula One, Daytona, Rolex 24, Jerry Bruckheimer, Joseph Kosinski, Top Gun, IMSA, Racing, Motorsport, Daytona International Speedway, Authenticity, Film Production

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6455038/2025/06/30/f1-movie-brad-pitt-daytona-scenes-racing/