Brad Pitt got to drive the McLaren from the 2023 Formula 1 season in Austin and reached speeds of over 300 km/h – new teaser shows the Hollywood star on the track
Hollywood star Brad Pitt recently had the opportunity to sit behind the wheel of Lando Norris’ McLaren Formula 1 car from the 2023 season – on the Circuit of The Americas. Until now, fans have only been shown short teasers on social media, but Sky Sports F1 has now released a complete behind-the-scenes trailer.
“You get a lot of privileges in this job. But this – this is number one,” says Pitt, who plays the lead role in the F1 movie, as he emerges from the garage wearing a McLaren racing suit. “Zak Brown and everyone at McLaren made it possible for me to get into Lando Norris’ 2023 F1 car. It’s going to be an adventure. I just have to get in and go, I think,” he adds.
Pitt was accompanied by former Formula 1 driver and Sky expert Martin Brundle, who took to the track while the Oscar-winning actor drove “right on the ideal line” and made an “impressive” impression, according to Brundle. Of course, the TV expert couldn’t resist either and also took a seat in the McLaren cockpit for a lap.
The 61-year-old talks about the “extraordinary” experience in the MCL60 in the Beyond The Grid podcast while promoting the F1 film directed by Joseph Kosinski and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer.
“I drove 197 mph (317 km/h) this week,” he says. “I really wanted to break 200 miles per hour. It hurts a little bit – just three miles per hour too slow on the straight. That was in Austin.”
“I’ve never experienced anything in my life where you feel so present. You’re completely focused, but not tense. You’re just in this incredible flow state. It’s truly extraordinary.“
”I always try to explain this feeling of downforce, but I fail every time because you try to compare it to a roller coaster—but that’s not right because you feel the pivot point right below you—you’re right in the middle of it.”
“I was once in an aerobatic plane, which is the closest thing to it, but still: that feeling is so unique – an absolute rush. I’m still on that high, really. I’m just still on a high,” said Pitt.
“And I can’t thank Zak Brown and the team enough. I spent the day with Lando – it was incredible. What a rush, what a rush.”
The film F1 celebrated its international premiere on June 25.
