So, what`s it *really* like to land a small part in a major Hollywood film centered around the sport you`re passionate about?
When I initially heard about the F1 movie, I was absolutely thrilled. Brad Pitt showing up at the Austin Grand Prix? It felt surreal! Of course, I tried to get a quick word with him, but no exclusive interviews that day.
Still, it didn`t take long for things to feel very real. The paddock began to transform – huge articulated lorries arrived, and suddenly, an 11th garage appeared at the end of the pit lane. Something significant was underway.
What impressed me most was how seamlessly the filming was integrated into a working F1 weekend. From the outside, you might not even have noticed a movie was being made – that`s how careful they were not to disrupt the flow.
But they were right there with us, absorbing every detail. Their dedication to authenticity, while still aiming for blockbuster status, was truly remarkable.
Then came *that* phone call. Would I like to be in the film? Yes! Absolutely! Even if I was just walking around in the background while the main stars delivered their lines, I was in.
Then I found out I had a line. An *actual* line… to deliver to Brad Pitt. All I had to do was be myself. No pressure, right? Imagine standing in front of Brad, with a full crew, extras, cast, and someone telling you, “just be yourself.” Easy!
“I guarded the script like gold”
The scene was scheduled to be shot in the drivers` interview pen at Silverstone. I wasn`t working for my usual broadcaster that weekend, which meant I was actually available to participate.
As soon as the contract landed in my inbox, the nerves kicked in. Along with it came an NDA – a non-disclosure agreement – which meant I couldn`t tell anyone what I was doing until the film was released. I had never seen an NDA before – let`s just say it was as daunting as you`d expect!
Next arrived the script: a few small pages with my line and the rest of the scene. I guarded it like gold. Even though I hadn`t told a soul, by the time the British Grand Prix weekend came around, people had started to connect the dots.
On Thursday, we had rehearsal. First stop: the film`s base inside the circuit. They took me to my trailer – yes, I had a trailer! Okay, not quite the Brad Pitt version, but it had a sofa, a dressing table, a TV, a fridge, and even a toilet. For one line! It still felt completely surreal.
Wardrobe was first. I`d been in touch with the head of wardrobe beforehand – he`d even scrolled through my social media to get a sense of what I usually wear on race weekends. They wanted me to look like *me*, so I wore a black jumpsuit I`ve worn on air a few times. Again, their dedication to keeping everything authentic really stood out, even while shooting a massive Hollywood production.
Then it was onto hair and make-up – which, for once, wasn`t my own doing. In my regular job, we don`t have hair and make-up teams at the track, so this was a brand new experience. The crew in the make-up truck were so warm and welcoming, they made me feel instantly at ease.
From there, I met one of the crew members outside their green room, a quiet little spot tucked behind one of the trucks belonging to APXGP – the fictional team in the film – in the paddock. As we walked over to the pen, I heard the crew member say into their mic, “travelling with Rachel.” That phrase became a bit of a running joke over the next three days!
At the pen, I met Simon Kunz, who plays a journalist in the film and also had lines in the scene. I immediately recognized him – *Four Weddings and a Funeral*, *The Parent Trap*, *GoldenEye*… the list goes on. We stood in the section of the pen cordoned off for filming, surrounded by the usual chaos of real TV crews and cameras.
Then walked in Joseph Kosinski, the director (yes, *that* Joe Kosinski). He asked how the real pen works – where the microphones usually go, how we conduct interviews. He genuinely wanted to get it right and listened carefully to everything.
Then Brad came down, stood in front of me, and we walked through the scene. Alongside Joe was Toby Hefferman, the first assistant director, and we rehearsed the setup together.
As we waited for the camera crew to decide on angles and placements, I ended up making small talk with Brad – exactly the kind of slightly awkward, in-between chat you have with drivers when you`re waiting for mics to be ready.
I asked him how the driving training was progressing and what surprised him most. He talked about the braking – how late and hard you brake, yet still manage to make the corner. I asked if he`d crashed during training, and he said, “no,” but he had spun a few times!
Standing next to him was Liz Kingsman, who plays his press officer. She asked if she looked the part, and I pointed out how press officers often hold their phones up to record the interview – a small detail, but again, they *cared* about those things. That level of attention to detail really stayed with me.
Then Joe asked me to deliver the line. I did. Brad responded (I won`t reveal the line – no spoilers!). Once they were happy with how it was shaping up, we wrapped rehearsal and agreed to return on Saturday, after qualifying, to shoot the actual scene.
“Hollywood and F1 colliding in the most wonderful way”
Saturday arrived, and I was back at the base, back in my trailer, back in hair and make-up. Just before qualifying, I was mic`d up and escorted to the green room again. Once qualifying started, we got into position.
As drivers were knocked out in Q1, they came into the pen – and we filmed our scene. Cameras were positioned behind us, shooting Brad`s face this time. We did it over and over, each time with different drivers passing through in the background.
Between takes, Brad would head back to his room until the next round of drivers came in. It was a very efficient process, and once we had captured what we needed, we wrapped until Sunday.
On Sunday, I was back in the paddock for race day. The goal this time? To catch a specific driver in the shot – but of course, anyone can retire at any point, so we had to be ready from the start. I watched the race from the APXGP garage with some of the cast and crew.
Partway through, we saw the film`s trailer for the first time. It was a magical moment – the energy in the room as the team saw their hard work on screen was unforgettable.
Later, I watched the rest of the race with Simon Kunz and Jenson Button in the Williams motorhome. For Simon, watching a Grand Prix with Jenson was a pinch-me moment. For me, it was a typical race weekend – and yet completely surreal at the same time.
These two very different worlds – Hollywood and F1 – were colliding in the most wonderful way. It was fascinating to witness the mutual respect. F1 drivers were starstruck by the actors, and the actors were in awe of the drivers. A lovely reminder that no matter how famous, rich, or talented someone is, everyone has idols. Everyone puts someone on a pedestal.
Then it was back to the set to shoot the reverse angle of our scene. Fewer nerves this time – we knew what we were doing. Timing was everything, and the driver we needed nailed it perfectly.
Then Damson Idris arrived. Joe asked me to stand opposite him so he would have someone to deliver his line to. He needed a cue, so I simply asked him to summarize his race, and he nailed it, take after take, until Joe was satisfied.
Scenes wrapped, selfies with the crew taken – and just like that, my part was complete.
So, what is the film like?
Fast forward eleven months to the European premiere in London. The studio invited me to attend and walk the red carpet (which was actually grey, fun fact). Honestly? That was the *scariest* part. I was more nervous having my picture taken than I was delivering lines to Brad and Damson!
At the F1 movie wall, Brad arrived, spotted my colleague and me, and came over and chatted with us – he even asked what we thought of the film. Everyone involved did. They wanted those of us who work in the sport day in and day out to be happy with their portrayal.
We had both seen it at media screenings already and could genuinely tell him we loved it. Obligatory selfie taken, we finished the last round of photos and interviews, then headed inside.
Just before the lights dimmed, Ed Sheeran walked past to take his seat. Then a bit of a stir: Tom Cruise was looking for his spot. It turned out he was seated just a few rows behind us.
Then came the big moment – Joseph Kosinski, Jerry Bruckheimer, Lewis Hamilton, Kerry Condon, Damson Idris, and Brad Pitt walked on stage to introduce the film.
We all watched it together, and honestly? It was even better the second time. I`d been nervous about how F1 would be depicted, but it`s *brilliant*. Think *Top Gun* but on four wheels. Judging by the cheers from Tom Cruise at the end, he clearly agreed.
For years, I had to explain this sport to people who just didn`t get it. Now? We`ve made it to the big screen, and it`s a must-see for F1 fans and non-F1 fans alike!
Huge thanks to the studio and everyone involved in the film. I`m still pinching myself…
