In an exclusive interview, acclaimed director Joseph Kosinski has pulled back the curtain on the heart-stopping challenges of filming the high-octane blockbuster 'F1: The Movie', revealing that a late-night sequence on the Las Vegas Strip was the production's most dangerous moment.
The Vegas Gamble: 15 Minutes of Midnight Terror
Kosinski, speaking from Los Angeles, pinpointed the Las Vegas Grand Prix circuit as the film's biggest hurdle. The temporary street track, which exists for only a few nights annually, presented a unique and perilous set of circumstances for stars Brad Pitt and Damson Idris.
"They gave us one, 15-minute slot in the middle of the night to shoot our sequence," Kosinski explained. With no prior practice on the circuit, the actors faced freezing temperatures that robbed the tires of grip, racing at incredible speeds with the constant threat of a catastrophic crash into a wall. The director admitted he was "holding my breath the whole time."
Authenticity at 180 MPH: No CGI Shortcuts
Mirroring the practical filmmaking philosophy of his smash hit 'Top Gun: Maverick', Kosinski insisted on shooting at real Formula 1 races. Pitt and Idris underwent extensive training to drive modified race cars, with cameras mounted inside to capture the visceral, authentic experience for audiences.
"You can't fake that," Kosinski stated, emphasizing that shooting during actual Grand Prix weekends at legendary tracks like Britain's Silverstone, Belgium's Spa, and Japan's Suzuka was non-negotiable. This commitment to realism, he believes, is what resonates deeply with viewers and earned the film early praise from actual F1 drivers in test screenings.
Box Office Records and Awards Season Glory
The risk-taking paid off handsomely. Released in the summer of 2025 and now streaming on Apple TV+, 'F1' became a global phenomenon. It set a new career box office record for Brad Pitt and stands as the most successful film ever for Apple Original Films. The film's technical prowess is also being recognized, having recently won Critics Choice Awards for Best Sound and Best Editing, and it is nominated for two Golden Globes.
What's Next for Sonny Hayes and Maverick?
With Oscar buzz building, Kosinski is already looking to the future. While a crossover with Tom Cruise's 'Days of Thunder' is off the table due to studio complexities, the director confirmed his team is developing ideas for a follow-up to 'F1', exploring the "next dragon" for Pitt's character, Sonny Hayes.
Furthermore, Kosinski revealed that a third 'Top Gun' film is actively in development. Screenwriter Ehren Kruger, who worked on both 'Maverick' and 'F1', is currently crafting what Kosinski describes as a "very ambitious idea" for the next chapter with Tom Cruise.
The success of 'F1' underscores a potent formula in modern cinema: marrying star power with genuine, practical spectacle to create an unforgettable audience experience.
