LEWIS HAMILTON has lifted the lid on his consultancy role in Brad Pitt’s new Formula One film.
The movie – confusingly titled F1 – saw its first trailer released in July, but was divisive among motorsport fans.
It has a star-studded cast with Hollywood A-Lister Pitt starring with Damson Idris as the main cast, and has star power behind the scenes in the form of Top Gun: Maverick director Joseph Kosinski.
Producer Jerry Bruckheimer and composer Hans Zimmer are also playing roles to rev up the film, though it is the involvement of seven-time F1 champion Hamilton whose involvement could be most pivotal to whether it is a flop or bust.
Speaking to Esquire, the 39-year-old explained his role as a producer and consultant for the movie and how he had licence to call “bull****” on some elements of the plot from screenwriter Ehren Kruger.
He said: “Ehren basically did a ton of research, watched a lot of races, came to a bunch of races, and then went away and wrote up a script. But we would sit and talk about what racing is about.
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“Then once he wrote the script, I would sit with him and call bulls***, basically, on the things that don’t seem real and are not what F1 is about and try to make sure that it’s as authentic as possible.
“Then at the same time, I started a production company, so I’m a producer with these guys.
“I’ve been able to be involved in all areas—so making sure the cast is diverse, making sure we’ve got a woman in a pit stop, which we never, ever had at the actual track.
“Hans Zimmer was someone I wanted to have doing the [music for the] movie, so we have Hans Zimmer. Joe has been amazing at including me in everything.”
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When asked specifically about what he has vetoed from the script, he added: “It would just be racing scenarios. Technical jargon engineers would talk.
“But particularly racing scenarios and sequences between overtakes and pit stops and strategies and all those sorts of things.
“There may have been a crash that was like the car hits the wall and flips and lands on the wheels and keeps going, and that doesn’t happen in Formula 1.”
The film’s budget has reportedly swelled to a mega $300million due to delays.
In a bid to add to its authenticity, footage from actual F1 weekends has been used, such as Pitt being seen in the media mixed zone following the race.
Inside track on Hamilton’s life
LEWIS HAMILTON has driven his way into pole position as Formula One’s most prolific winner.
Real F1 returns following the mid-season break this Sunday, where championship leader Max Verstappen will be eager to get back on the top step of the podium at his home Dutch Grand Prix.
Hamilton won at the most recent race in Belgium after team-mate George Russell was disqualified when his car was found to be underweight in post-race checks.
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Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk
