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Lewis Hamilton is savoring the moment following the blockbuster debut of the new Formula 1 film he helped produce, and he’s urging patience before considering a sequel. Speaking ahead of the British Grand Prix on Thursday, July 3, the seven-time F1 champion emphasized that now is not the time to dive into another film project. As an executive producer on the movie—starring Brad Pitt as a veteran driver returning to the sport—Hamilton expressed pride in what the team accomplished and caution about rushing into the next chapter.
The film, which opened with an impressive USD 55.6 million in North America and a global total of USD 144 million in its first weekend, marks a major milestone for Apple, becoming its biggest box office launch to date. While fans and studios alike may be eager to ride the momentum, Hamilton made it clear that he believes in letting the work breathe. “We literally just finished it,” he said, reflecting on the intense four-year process that brought the project to life. He credited director Joseph Kosinski for the immense dedication involved, noting the personal sacrifices made, including time away from family. “It’s time away from your kids, and also you need this to just simmer for a while, you know. Like, let’s enjoy it.”
Hamilton was candid about the common pitfalls of sequels, warning that quality often suffers when studios rush to capitalize on success. “I think the worst thing we probably could do is to rush into doing a sequel,” he said. “Most sequels are way worse, and so we don’t need to rush it.” Instead, he’s advocating for a deliberate approach, saying that if a sequel does happen, it should only move forward when it can genuinely raise the bar. “Let’s really, really take our time in getting it even better.”
Drawing from his racing background, Hamilton also shared that he wants to bring an F1-style “debrief” into the filmmaking process. In motorsport, a debrief is a critical post-race review to analyze what went well and what could be improved. He believes the same principle could benefit creative projects. “Let’s review what we did, what we could have done better,” he said, adding that while this might not be common practice in Hollywood, it’s a mindset he values. His disciplined, performance-driven approach shows how deeply he’s bringing his experience from the track into his work behind the camera.
The film’s success points to a strong appetite for racing stories, especially with a Hollywood heavyweight like Brad Pitt in the lead and Hamilton’s authenticity giving the project added credibility. Beyond drawing large audiences, the film’s performance highlights Apple’s expanding ambitions in theatrical releases, positioning the company as a serious player in the film industry.
For now, Hamilton is content to reflect and celebrate what they’ve created. Though the buzz around a possible sequel is already starting, he believes the story deserves room to resonate before jumping into a follow-up. His focus is on longevity, not speed—an ironic but fitting perspective from one of the fastest men in the world.