Latest news with #Silverstone
The Guardian
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Brad Pitt in the paddock: how F1 the Movie went deep to keep fans coming
After the British Grand Prix last year the drivers took their places in the media zone to conduct interviews, with Formula One world champions Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen and Fernando Alonso among them. Yet it was all but impossible not to cast a glance sideways as Brad Pitt nonchalantly strolled out to face the microphones and cameras of his own, entirely staged, media scrum. None of us in the media pack openly goggled at the fact that Hollywood's A-list had joined the sweaty throng, because Pitt was there filming what would become F1 the Movie. And we, as with everyone else, were under strict instructions to behave normally. Indeed, as farcical as it might sound, by this point we had become almost inured to the presence of the stars and their crew after several years of being part and parcel of the F1 circus. Almost but not quite. I mean, it was Brad Pitt … The resulting film, released next Wednesday by Apple Studios, produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and directed by Top Gun: Maverick's Joseph Kosinski, stars Pitt as the veteran driver Sonny Hayes, who makes a comeback to the sport after a 30-year absence to rescue the ailing and also fictional APX team. The film, which has had largely positive reviews so far – including from the Guardian's Peter Bradshaw – came about through an unusually proactive collaboration between the filmmakers and the sport. F1 bent over backwards to ensure it went well. The production filmed at circuits on real race weekends for over two years. The APX team enjoyed their own pit garage, their own hospitality and their own uniforms. With Pitt being filmed alongside real drivers and indeed the media around the grid and the 'paddock' (the working area of an F1 team), the filmmakers were effectively embedded within the sport as its 11th team – perhaps as deeply as it is possible for an entity to go without actually being a real team. They have also used real cars, albeit less-powerful Formula 2 models modified to look as close as possible to F1 cars by the Mercedes F1 team. Pitt and his co-star Damson Idris have filmed in cars, with Pitt doing all his own driving. He's been praised by Hamilton for picking up the skills quickly. Hamilton is both one of the producers and a special adviser to ensure the picture is as authentic as possible. For the producers, the collaboration is relatively straightforward. They wanted to make as authoritative, exciting and immersive a film as possible. And for the sport the movie is a key part of its global strategy. For many years F1 enjoyed a strong but undoubtedly niche-based support, largely centred on Europe and with a notably ageing, white-male demographic. But since Liberty Media took over the sport in 2017 from its former chief executive Bernie Ecclestone, who had been in charge for nearly 40 years, it has undergone a rapid and dramatic transformation. Liberty has expanded its reach, notably using social media and promotion to actively target a younger, more diverse audience. The enormously successful Netflix series Drive to Survive followed, its dramatic and sharply edited retelling of each season proving a huge hit with a market previously indifferent to F1. Drive to Survive is now in its seventh season since 2019. Suddenly the sport had an entirely new, enthusiastic fanbase; younger, excited and building momentum across the world – notably in the market every non US-based sport craves, North America. F1 has moved from one moderately well-attended race in Texas to three sellouts a year, now also including Miami and a night-race promoted by F1 itself on the streets of Las Vegas. Tyler Epp, the Miami GP president, noted that their audience is 'growing most aggressively in the 20- and 30-year-old buyer. Our data does not tell us that this is an audience of 30- to 60-year-old white men'. Instead, Epp says, there is a 60-40 male-female split – an 'eclectic, diverse group'. Recently, both golf and tennis have tried, with a lesser degree of success, to emulate the enormous surge of interest F1 has enjoyed. Sign up to The Recap The best of our sports journalism from the past seven days and a heads-up on the weekend's action after newsletter promotion F1's willingness to accommodate Hollywood is shaped by this prism, the film a chance to sell the sport to a potentially huge audience who just might be converted. Sylvester Stallone tried to make an F1 film in the late 1990s but, given a lack of cooperation from Ecclestone, ultimately switched the story to the US-based CART series and the commercial and critical flop Driven was the result. Stefano Domenicali, a former team principal at Ferrari and president of the Italian car manufacturer Lamborghini, is the chief executive of F1, an accomplished operator with an easy-going persona. He is relaxed with F1 teams and Hollywood moguls and has been at the heart of the resurgence. 'I think that if Netflix was big, that the movie will be massive,' he said this year. 'We're going to hit a target that is not yet present.' Purists will sniff at some of the picture's deviations from certain aspects of F1's realities, and its concessions to dramatic and narrative convention to propel it as entertainment. But it was meant to be a blockbuster not a documentary and that's what matters to F1 and the producers. After the film's screenings in the US, Apple's senior vice-president, Eddy Cue, said that 'very few' of those attending had previously seen an F1 race but their reactions were instructive. 'When we finish and we ask how many of you would like to go see a race now, literally every single hand goes up,' he said. 'We think there's a huge, huge opportunity to grow the sport all over the world with this movie and I think it will do that.'
Top Gear
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Top Gear
F1: The Movie review: "a crowd-pleasing, feel-good blockbuster"
Movies This is Formula One's unabashed love letter to itself... and it's a great read Skip 14 photos in the image carousel and continue reading You could argue that, as a sport, every race in the Formula One calendar is its own self-contained movie. The locations are mostly glamorous, the cast of characters is varied and handsome, there are heroes and villains, and action aplenty. That's the vibe that was so ingeniously mined by Netflix's Drive to Survive , the ultra-glossy quasi-reality show turbocharging the sport's appeal, particularly in America, for years the F1 refusenik. F1: The Movie takes all that equity and fires it into the stratosphere. This is F1's unabashed love letter to itself, a licensed product in a similar vein to the wildly successful Barbie movie. If you've been paying any attention at all, you'll know that the film's cast and crew inserted themselves into the F1 world championship during 2023 and '24, lining up on the grid at Silverstone, Monza and Abu Dhabi, amongst others, and generally doing a remarkable job of blurring real life with fantasy. Was that Brad Pitt in the media pen high-fiving Fernando Alonso after a Grand Prix? Yes it was. Advertisement - Page continues below Pitt, one of the few actors left who can 'open' a movie, plays Sonny Hayes, a journeyman racer we first meet as he contests the Daytona 24 Hours for an old mate. He lives in a converted 50-year old Ford Econoline van, a free spirit and gambler who races on a 'one and done' basis for the thrill of it, and refuses to accept the winner's Rolex. Nice shorthand. But when his old teammate from way back when, Ruben Cervantes (Javier Bardem), suddenly reappears, an emotional back story is swiftly sketched in. Hayes was a youthful F1 ace, destined for greatness, until he suffered a career- and almost life-ending accident during a race. We see the footage in flashback, and if it looks a lot like Lotus F1 driver Martin Donnelly's horrific crash at Jerez in 1990, that's because it is. (Donnelly gets a prominent thank you in the closing credits, and rightly so.) You might like Cervantes is now the owner of ailing F1 team, Apex GP, with creditors closing in and a shifty investor called Banning (an amusingly oily Tobias Menzies) scheming in the shadows. Ruben needs an experienced old hand to steady the ship and mentor talented but hot-headed newcomer, Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris). This is not, it must be said, a wildly original premise. Pitt is better looking and much younger than Obi Wan Kenobi or indeed Yoda, but the story arc follows the age-old pattern. Old-timer arrives to general disbelief, dispenses wisdom and gnarly one-liners, and proceeds to show the nay-sayers how it should be done. Hayes, quickly identified by Apex GP's technical director Kate McKenna (a stand-out performance from the brilliant Kerry Condon) as a 'lone wolf', turns out to be more of a team player than he first appears. Not to mention something of an aerodynamics wizard. Advertisement - Page continues below He's also prone to the sort of maverick driving style that would give today's race stewards chronic heart palpitations He's also prone to the sort of maverick – but of course – driving style that would give today's race stewards chronic heart palpitations. It's all highly entertaining provided you don't drill too deeply into it. It's a rare blockbuster movie indeed in which tyre compounds and the redesign of a racing car's floor provide major plot pivots. We get to see wind tunnels and driver-in-loop simulators at work, and gatecrash team briefings. There's real heart to the story but also wilfully cheesy chunks of dialogue. Look, you've just got to go with it. F1: The Movie is directed by Joseph Kosinski ( Tron: Legacy , Oblivion , Top Gun: Maverick ), a petrol-head and F1 fan, which helps, and a masterful technician of a film-maker, which helps even more. Pitt and his co-star Idris, a charismatic match for the Hollywood A-lister, spent 18 months on and off learning how to drive single-seaters. The Apex F1 cars are actually converted F2 cars, equipped with 360-degree mini-IMAX quality cameras. So the close-ups and long shots of the actors' faces are for real, the action rendered with gut-punch impact by DoP, Claudio Miranda. You can almost feel the cornering Gs, and will find yourself wincing instinctively when the drivers brake. Our friends at Sky F1 do a great job, no question, but Hollywood clearly still has plenty of tricks up its sleeve. As you'd hope, given the film's rumoured $300m budget. (Apple has bankrolled most of it, sparking rumours of a possible bid for the F1 broadcasting rights.) Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Look out for your regular round-up of news, reviews and offers in your inbox. Get all the latest news, reviews and exclusives, direct to your inbox. And so to the tricky question of who this film is really for. There are shades of The Colour of Money here, Martin Scorsese's 1986 masterpiece starring Paul Newman and a young Tom Cruise. But explaining a pool-room hustle is easier than deciphering an F1 race, an expositional task which falls here to Sky F1's redoubtable David Croft and Martin Brundle. F1 newbies might still find themselves floundering, while experts will naturally find ways of spluttering indignantly into their popcorn. There are also cameos from a variety of familiar pit-lane faces, who clearly couldn't resist their big screen moment. Lewis Hamilton, whose company Dawn Apollo was one of the producing partners, personally ensured as much factual and technical accuracy as could reasonably be expected in a mega-budget fictional tale. F1: The Movie hits some high notes, a crowd-pleasing, feel-good blockbuster with old-school heroes to root for. Resistance, ultimately, is futile. F1: The Movie opens in cinemas nationwide on 25 June
Entrepreneur
3 days ago
- Business
- Entrepreneur
BEYOND Developments to Join the Grid at the Formula 1 British Grand Prix at Silverstone
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. You're reading Entrepreneur United Kingdom, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. BEYOND Developments, the Dubai-born real estate brand shaping lifestyle destinations by the sea, has partnered with the 2025 Formula 1 British Grand Prix at Silverstone, aligning with a globally celebrated sporting event. As one of the most historic circuits in motorsport and a cornerstone of the Formula 1 calendar, Silverstone offers a powerful platform for brands that celebrate performance, precision, and passion. "Sport awakens ambition. It brings people together, sharpens perspective, and reminds us of what is possible, qualities that define the BEYOND experience," said Adil Taqi, CEO of BEYOND Developments. "We are drawn to moments that move the world forward, moments where energy meets elegance and emotion meets innovation. Our presence at Silverstone reflects our belief in purposeful partnerships that echo our values of movement, imagination, and meaningful design," added Taqi. Nick Read, Chief Commercial Officer of Silverstone said: "We're excited to welcome BEYOND Developments to Silverstone. The Formula 1 British Grand Prix is where heritage, innovation, and entertainment come together, and BEYOND's forward-thinking ethos aligns seamlessly with that spirit." "As we continue to elevate the fan experience across sport, culture, and entertainment, it's inspiring to welcome a partner that views this platform as a space for meaningful connection and storytelling," added Read. This prestigious collaboration builds on BEYOND's growing presence across global sporting platforms that champion excellence and human achievement. It follows the brand's role as Official Real Estate Partner of Ascot and Royal Ascot, and its sponsorship of the 15th Dubai Globe Soccer Awards, which honors some of the most celebrated figures in international football. Set against the backdrop of Silverstone's legendary circuit, the 2025 Formula 1 British Grand Prix will offer fans a multi-sensory experience both on and off the track. Highlights include a dynamic concert line-up featuring Sam Fender, RAYE, Fatboy Slim, and Becky Hill, alongside a nostalgic showcase led by McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown, who will drive the historic 1987 Williams FW11B in a tribute to F1's golden era. Through this partnership, BEYOND reinforces its commitment to experiences that transcend architecture, connecting people to moments that inspire, challenge, and resonate. From Dubai's evolving skyline to one of motorsport's greatest stages, BEYOND continues to shape its global presence with purpose, design, and emotion at the core.
The Independent
4 days ago
- Automotive
- The Independent
How Silverstone became a year-round destination for F1 fans
When Giuseppe Farina's Alfa Romeo passed the chequered flag after 70 laps of Silverstone track in 1950, watched by 120,000 fans and royalty including King George VI, he marked the beginning of an era for Formula 1 – the first ever race in the world drivers' championship. When Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen and the rest of F1 descend on the track – which straddles the border of Northamptonshire and Buckinghamshire – for the British Grand Prix next month, the sport will be barely recognisable from that first race. The mix of speed and glamour – as well as the popularity of Netflix's Drive to Survive – mean the sport is now worth billions of pounds, with its stars at the centre of a 24/7 media circus. And the track, too, is a world away from the hay bale-lined former RAF airfield that hosted that first race, now the true home of British motorsport – and a destination for petrolheads in its own right. Formula 1 descends on Silverstone for just one weekend a year, bringing with it almost half a million fans and, these days, a music festival to entertain campers away from the track. But developments at Silverstone mean it is a buzz of activity year-round, from a £20m museum to a new hotel, complete with rooms overlooking the track itself. I start the day at the Silverstone Museum, which this summer is marking 75 years of F1. Visitors are held in a 'starting grid' before being let loose on the exhibition, which brings together F1 cars from across the decades, including those of British champions Nigel Mansell and Damon Hill, and the Brawn GP in which Jenson Button won the 2009 world drivers' championship. Downstairs, the museum has its own simulator so visitors can try their hand at taking an F1 car around the famous track, feedback vibrating through the seat if you're unfortunate enough to misjudge a corner and end up in the gravel. For those who want a more authentic driving experience, complete with the pit lane and the smell of petrol, the circuit offers a number of driving experiences, from being driven by a professional to trying out a single-seater yourself, and even taking your own car on track. I'm taken around the National Circuit, a 1.6-mile circuit including some of the most famous sections of the full Grand Prix track, leaving the pits to go around the corners of Copse and Maggots before hitting throttle along the Wellington Straight then turning into Brooklands, Luffield and Woodcote. While I strain against the G-forces as we turn in an Aston Martin Vantage, I'm reminded that F1 drivers would be doing the same corners at close to 100mph more. On the Wellington Straight, an F1 driver will be almost at 200mph. To unwind from the breakneck speeds of the track, I check in to Escapade Silverstone, a new hotel with 60 residences alongside the track, which have up to four bedrooms. I'm staying in one of the trackside apartments, with entry through its own garage (naturally) with EV charging point. The second-floor rooms have an open-plan kitchen and lounge that open out on to a balcony overlooking Maggots corner. A few minutes' walk down the track (or a fraction of a second in Lewis Hamilton's Ferrari), the hotel's restaurant and bar The Gallery has a rooftop terrace that gives panoramic views across the circuit as the sun sets over the Northamptonshire countryside. There is also a pool and gym, as well as wellness treatments based on those given to professional racing drivers to optimise their performance. I end the day with dinner in the restaurant, decorated with art that has been inspired by motorsport, watching cars from Porsches to Mini Coopers fly past through the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the track. In the 75 years since Giuseppe Farina's victory, Silverstone has become one of Britain's truly iconic venues. But unlike Wembley or Twickenham, Wimbledon or Lord's, even in a gilded age of sports stars, fans still have the chance to step out and follow in the footsteps – or tyre marks – of their heroes.
Zawya
4 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
BEYOND Developments joins the grid at the Formula 1 British Grand Prix at Silverstone
Dubai, UAE: BEYOND Developments, the Dubai-born real estate brand shaping lifestyle destinations by the sea, has partnered with the 2025 Formula 1 British Grand Prix at Silverstone, aligning with a globally celebrated sporting event. As one of the most historic circuits in motorsport and a cornerstone of the Formula 1 calendar, Silverstone offers a powerful platform for brands that celebrate performance, precision, and passion. 'Sport awakens ambition. It brings people together, sharpens perspective, and reminds us of what is possible, qualities that define the BEYOND experience,' said Adil Taqi, CEO of BEYOND Developments. 'We are drawn to moments that move the world forward, moments where energy meets elegance and emotion meets innovation. Our presence at Silverstone reflects our belief in purposeful partnerships that echo our values of movement, imagination, and meaningful design,' added Taqi. Nick Read, Chief Commercial Officer of Silverstone said: 'We're excited to welcome BEYOND Developments to Silverstone. The Formula 1 British Grand Prix is where heritage, innovation, and entertainment come together, and BEYOND's forward-thinking ethos aligns seamlessly with that spirit.' 'As we continue to elevate the fan experience across sport, culture, and entertainment, it's inspiring to welcome a partner that views this platform as a space for meaningful connection and storytelling,' added Nick. This prestigious collaboration builds on BEYOND's growing presence across global sporting platforms that champion excellence and human achievement. It follows the brand's role as Official Real Estate Partner of Ascot and Royal Ascot, and its sponsorship of the 15th Dubai Globe Soccer Awards, which honors some of the most celebrated figures in international football. Set against the backdrop of Silverstone's legendary circuit, the 2025 Formula 1 British Grand Prix will offer fans a multi-sensory experience both on and off the track. Highlights include a dynamic concert line-up featuring Sam Fender, RAYE, Fatboy Slim, and Becky Hill, alongside a nostalgic showcase led by McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown, who will drive the historic 1987 Williams FW11B in a tribute to F1's golden era. Through this partnership, BEYOND reinforces its commitment to experiences that transcend architecture, connecting people to moments that inspire, challenge, and resonate. From Dubai's evolving skyline to one of motorsport's greatest stages, BEYOND continues to shape its global presence with purpose, design, and emotion at the core. ABOUT Formula 1 British Grand Prize at Silverstone Silverstone Circuit Limited is the operator and promoter of Silverstone and a member of the BRDC Group of Companies. Silverstone is one of the most prestigious and respected venues in world motor sport, widely recognised as the Home of British Motorsport and is home to the Formula 1 British Grand Prix, Silverstone Festival and MotoGP. About BEYOND BEYOND, a new venture under the OMNIYAT GROUP, represents the next evolution in Dubai's real estate landscape. Focused on the wider luxury real estate market and providing innovative and exceptional living solutions accessible to a broader demographic, BEYOND is committed to creating spaces that are not just homes, but experiences. Reflecting a distinct ethos, BEYOND aims to go beyond the conventional boundaries of real estate, crafting environments that inspire and elevate the human experience. OMNIYAT GROUP An investment company with a diversified portfolio across the real estate, hospitality, commercial, and tech sectors, the OMNIYAT GROUP was established to drive success across its branded companies. With an AED 100B total group portfolio target by 2030 and AED 50B in portfolio value committed for new ventures, a policy of strategic diversification has empowered the Group to drive forward into different market segments. Guided by an unwavering commitment to excellence, OMNIYAT GROUP leverages an unparalleled network of global talent to raise standards and drive transformative change in the urban living experience, delivering on its vision to be 'the best in class, in every class.'
