F1: The Movie would have hoped to get glowing endorsements from drivers on the grid ahead of their worldwide release, but Williams star Carlos Sainz cautioned fans that the new Brad Pitt film about the sport might not be for the purists. However, he has urged fans to keep an open mind about the Hollywood flick and believes it could attract new followers.
F1: The Movie is set to hit cinemas next week and had its global premiere on Monday. The stars of the sport assembled at Times Square in New York for the film’s debut, followed by a celebration at Rockefeller Center after its screening. Sainz was in attendance along with Charles Leclerc, Lando Norris and George Russell as the film starring Pitt gears up for release. The Hollywood heavyweight portrays Sonny Hayes, a driver lured back into the sport after retiring in the 1990s due to a terrifying crash.
Lewis Hamilton was spotted alongside stars Pitt and Damson Idris, having contributed to the film’s production. The 40-year-old served as a consultant to ensure authenticity.
While there would have been aspirations for the film to offer plenty of realism, there is optimism that F1: The Movie can help expand the sport’s fanbase, especially in the United States. As such, there may need to be some tolerance for Hollywood spectacle.
Speaking on the red carpet, Sainz believes the film can be enlightening for new fans and those who already adore the sport should find pleasure in the fiction.
“There’s something for everyone for sure,” he said. “I’ll just say for the pure F1 fans, be open-minded to Hollywood films. For all the new fans, that’s our sport.”
Reigning world champion and Red Bull ace Max Verstappen was notably absent from the festivities and has previously conceded that he might give the film a watch at some point, albeit without much anticipation, hoping instead for a pleasant surprise.
He said: “I’m going home to my daughter. Whether I will watch that film at a later time? Maybe yes.
“If it suits me or if someone else wants to see it, then I’m fine with it. And maybe I will be positively surprised.
“I also sincerely hope that it is a good and successful film and that it has a positive effect on Formula 1. You just shouldn’t force me to go somewhere, because that’s not quite how it should be.”
