F1 cast and character guide: Who plays whom in WB's upcoming sports action drama?

Formula 1 fans are in for a real treat as Warner Bros. is coming forth with a sports-action drama featuring Brad Pitt. The film, titled F1, will follow a retired Formula One racer hired as a mentor to guide an amateur prodigy racer for the highly esteemed Apex Grand Prix team.

Producer Jerry Bruckheimer and director Joseph Kosinski are reuniting for the project, having previously worked on Top Gun: Maverick. The film also features real Formula One racing tracks and is said to feature multiple real-life events that occurred in the world of the sport. Pitt reportedly even drove his own cars for the film, further adding to its authenticity. The film is also being produced by F1 racer Lewis Hamilton, who had his fair share of involvement in the script.

Director Kosinski told Deadline:

“We’ve got Brad and Damson actually driving the cars, which is pretty spectacular in itself, but to do that in front of a live audience and at the speeds they’re doing it and figuring out a way to capture it ... The logistics of it are unlike anything I’ve done before.'

The film has a star-studded cast with multiple appearances from real-life racers. Here's who to look out for in F1.

F1 cast and character guide

Brad Pitt as Sonny Hayes

Brad Pitt plays the central character of Sonny Hayes, a retired driver who makes a comeback as a mentor to help a new player reach the fictional APXGP championship.

Speaking of his role, Pitt has told Sky Sports F1:

“I would be a guy who raced in the '90s. He has a horrible crash and kind of craps out and disappears and then is racing in other disciplines.”

The actor also called being a part of the film the best time of his life as he added:

“I’m a little giddy right now, I’ve got to say, It’s the best time of my life. ... The vibe is amazing, but just to get to be a part of it in this way, and get to tell our story.”

Damson Idris as Joshua "Noah" Pearce

Damon Idris plays the younger character Pitt's Hayes will be mentoring. Known for his role in Snowfall, the actor stated what it was like to star alongside Pitt and have legends like Hamilton and Verstappen around the set. Speaking to Vanity Fair, the actor said:

“I look to my left, it’s Brad Pitt. I look to my right, it’s Javier Bardem. I look at my hands, they’re shaking. And we shoot all of this epic stuff and all the amazing drivers are there, from Lewis [Hamilton] to [Max] Verstappen to everyone.”

Simone Ashley in an unspecified role

Bridgerton star Simone Ashley, who played Kate Sharma in the acclaimed show, is also a part of the film, although her role has not yet been specified. She was seen on the film set and will most likely have an integral part.

She has recently been a part of an upcoming Loreal ad campaign and starred alongside legendary F1 racer Carlos Sainz, who will also be a part of the film.

Kerry Condon as Kate

The actress will play the role of the Technical Director, overseeing the design and development of the race car.

Condon previously starred in the highly acclaimed film The Banshees of Inisherin and has films like Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, Night Swim alongside Wyatt Russell, and In The Land Of Saints And Sinners opposite Liam Needson.

More supporting cast

Tobias Menzies as Banning

Javier Bardem as Ruben, Sonny's friend, and APXGP team owner

Kim Bodnia as Kaspar

Shea Whigham as Chip Hart

Joseph Balderrama as Rico Fazio

Sarah Niles as Bernadette, Noah's mother

Samson Kayo as Cashman

Callie Cooke as Jodie