'Sonny Hayes' gets a taste of the real F1 thing: And impresses the pros!

Updated: 13:33, 12 Jul 2025
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Intimate onboard footage of Brad Pitt's McLaren Formula 1 drive at the Circuit of the Americas has been revealed.
Starring as Sonny Hayes in the F1 movie, Pitt spent over two years driving APX GP cars, which were modified Formula 2 machines.
The American has spoken at length about his experiences driving while filming the movie, even discussing his day driving the 2023 McLaren at COTA at length.
On the Beyond the Grid podcast, Norris explained that McLaren engineers were full of praise for Pitt's performance. "They were impressed. I don't think people realise what it takes to step into a Formula 1 car and just go out and drive, especially because it was a very warm day in Texas. He did a very good job.”
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Another high-profile American recently got behind the wheel of a 2023 Formula 1 car.
Haas team owner Gene Haas made his Formula 1 debut at the famous Goodwood Festival of Speed event at 72 years old on Friday.
The American drove the VF-23, which competed in the 2023 Formula 1 season and was driven by Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hulkenberg.

WATCH: Pitt's onboard McLaren footage from COTA

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