“F1,” the new Formula 1 racing movie starring starring Brad Pitt, is the latest high-profile production to have shot in Abu Dhabi where cameras rolled during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix last December.
The hotly anticipated Apple Original film which, besides Pitt, stars Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem, Tobias Menzies, Sarah Niles, Kim Bodnia and Samson Kayo, recently wrapped filming on the Yas Marina Circuit, home of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. A team comprising Pitt and Damson Idris spent a total 29 days filming in the emirate over three separate occasions, supported by local production partner Epic Films, according to a statement.
Filming for “F1” has taken place at actual Formula 1 events, like the British Grand Prix, the Rolex 24 at Daytona sportscar race as well as the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
The “F1” movie, directed by Joseph Kosinski and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, follows Pitt as former Formula 1 driver Sonny Hayes, who returns to the sport and partners with and mentors rookie teammate Joshua Pearce (Idris) on the fictional APXGP team. Bardem portrays the team boss of APXGP.
“F1” is currently set to be distributed in theaters by Warner Bros. Pictures internationally on June 25, 2025 and in North America on June 27, 2025.
“Our collective efforts and wise leadership continue to ensure that we secure such exciting partnerships with leading production teams like Apple Original Films,” said Mohamed Dobay, acting director general of Abu Dhabi’s Creative Media Authority in a statement.
“We look forward to seeing Abu Dhabi’s iconic locations on the big screen and also working with Apple Original Films in the future, with production teams across the world reaping the benefits of a safe and secure working environment and established talent pool alongside financial, logistical and technical on ground support from Abu Dhabi Film Commission,” he added.
Commented Sameer Al Jaberi, Head of Abu Dhabi Film Commission: “We were delighted to be able to support the extensive and varied production programme.” Al Jaberi pointed out that the “F1” film also provided opportunities for some on screen Emirati talents and that roughly 284 of local crew members worked on the production “as part of our commitment to nurture talent for the creative industries from within.”
Abu Dhabi has been stepping up efforts to lure more film and TV shoots to the United Arab Emirates’ capital by enhancing its new rebate, which is now set to reach up to 50% of qualified below-the-line spend starting in January.
Major Hollywood productions that have shot in Abu Dhabi over the past decade include “Dune: Part Two”; “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One”; “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”; “6 Underground” and “Furious 7”; as well as Bollywood hits such as “Vikram Vedha,” “Tiger Zinda Hai” and “Bharat.”