Brad Pitt just drove a McLaren Formula 1 car for real and gave a new meaning to his name
Published on Jul 11, 2025 at 5:52 PM (UTC+4)
by Keelin McNamara
Last updated on Jul 11, 2025 at 8:08 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Kate Bain
Brad Pitt has finally had the chance to drive a McLaren Formula 1 car for real.
The American Hollywood icon recently starred in the global smash hit, F1 – The Movie.
In the film, Pitt actually drives a liveried Formula 2 car that is made to look like the real thing, and this is because a real F1 car would have been far too difficult for a novice like him.
But now, the Hollywood star has finally had the chance to experience an actual Formula 1 car.
DISCOVER SBX CARS: The global premium car auction platform powered by Supercar Blondie
Brad Pitt drives McLaren Formula 1 car
After starring in the blockbuster of the summer, Brad Pitt has finally achieved his dream.
Before the United States Grand Prix in Austin, the actor was invited by McLaren to the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas.
According to the actor, Team Principal Zak Brown invited Pitt to the circuit for a one-of-a-kind experience.
Brad Pitt was given the keys to Lando Norris’ 2023 McLaren Formula 1 car.
But before that, Lando Norris decided to take Brad Pitt out in a road-focused McLaren car.
After being shown the twists and turns, Pitt then got some technical advice from the team.
The team told Pitt that he would be given three laps to experience what every motorsport fan dreams of.
“Three laps is a lifetime”, Pitt remarked – with a beaming smile across his face.
After being given a few more laps at the end, Brad Pitt really got into the flow of things.
He even began shaving seconds off his lap time with each passing lap around COTA.
F1 The Movie is the biggest movie hit of the summer
In case you somehow missed it, F1 The Movie is the biggest global blockbuster of the summer.
The film sees Brad Pitt play the fictional character of Sonny Hayes – an itinerant race car driver.
In the movie, Hayes makes his way in Formula 1 as the next big thing, before retiring due to a horror crash at the Spanish Grand Prix in Jerez.
Because Pitt only got to drive a Formula 2 car in the movie, getting behind the wheel of a legitimate Formula 1 car was a big deal.
Keelin McNamara is a content writer at Supercar Blondie from Ireland, covering cars, technology, and lifestyle. Despite being a Law graduate, he discovered his passion for journalism during the COVID-19 pandemic, and has worked in the industry ever since. Outside of work, he is an avid MotoGP fan, and is a self-confessed addict of the sport.
