APX GP: the colors of the 11th fictional team on the F1 2023 grid

At Silverstone, the paddock features an additional garage in the pitlane, with the presence of the fictional team “APXGP” around which the Formula 1 movie produced by Apple is being filmed.

The two main roles will be played by Brad Pitt and Damson Idris, both of whom will portray Formula 1 drivers from the APXGP team. Brad Pitt will play Sonny Hayes, a Formula 1 veteran making a comeback to the sport with a small back-of-the-grid team. Although the details of the plot and the title of the feature film are not known, the filming locations at Silverstone seem grandiose.

Closest to realism

And to make it realistic, the car was entirely designed by Mercedes with the help of an F2 team. Built from an F2 chassis but disguised as a Formula 1 car, the black and gold APXGP single-seater looks like a real 2023 regulation car, and one could almost believe it is a Formula 1 car on track despite the characteristic sound of F2 cars. The bet is more than successful. In the fictional team’s garage, the equipment is also provided by Mercedes, and on the screens, “data” and images from last year’s Grand Prix are displayed for added realism. A true Formula 1 team environment has been set up for the making of this film. Lewis Hamilton, co-producer of this feature film, is already thrilled: “We are going to make the best racing movie.” The seven-time world champion will also be consulted by the film crew to get as close as possible to the reality of Formula 1.

This car has already taken to the Silverstone track even before the start of the first practice session, and it will be driving between sessions throughout the weekend to capture footage. It is even planned to see the two APXGP cars in the formation lap of the Grand Prix on Sunday. Don’t worry, they will be at the back, far from the Formula 1 cars, and will only make a few turns. By the way, Brad Pitt and Damson Idris will not be on board: stunt drivers will be piloting these cars. During the national anthem on Sunday, a scene is also expected to be filmed in the fictional team’s pit.

Regardless, the Silverstone paddock has taken on a true Hollywood vibe since the beginning of the weekend, and some drivers are even enjoying this situation.

“I think APX GP is bringing some evolutions this weekend, Sonny Hayes seems to be in good shape, so we’ll have to see how it works out for them,” stated Esteban Ocon, joking about the situation.

This is the first time that Formula 1 is faced with a film shooting and production of this magnitude. The least we can say is that, for the moment, the impression is successful.