F1 Explains How F1 The Movie was made - with director Joseph Kosinski
Jun 25, 2025
Joseph Kosinski, acclaimed director of Top Gun: Maverick and F1: The Movie, shares fascinating insights into the movie's production. He reveals how it started with an email to Lewis Hamilton and the unique collaboration with real F1 drivers. The challenges of filming on actual race weekends are explored, alongside the creation of a custom Apex Grand Prix car. Kosinski discusses the immersive IMAX experience and how the team blended documentary realism with thrilling storytelling, capturing the exhilarating essence of Formula One racing.
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How the Movie Idea Began
- Director Joseph Kosinski reached out to Lewis Hamilton by email to start the film project.
- Lewis invited him to an F1 race weekend, which cemented the idea to make an authentic F1 movie.
Innovative Filmmaking Tools Needed
- Making the film required new tools as none existed for shooting live F1 racing scenes.
- Partnering closely with Formula One and the teams was essential for access and authenticity.
Filming Amid Real Race Weekends
- The film crew integrated as an extra team, wearing Apex Grand Prix gear during real race weekends.
- Scenes had to be shot quickly within short time windows amidst real race chaos.