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Glitz and glory lit up Times Square streets as the world premiere of F1: The Movie rolled in classic movie style. With deafening applause from the crowds, blinding flash from the media, and sleek racing graphics woven into the stage, one could tell from the onset that this was no ordinary movie premiere. The air was charged with anticipation as Hollywood icons and Formula 1 legends stormed the iconic New York arena to turn it into a hard-throttle party of speed, style, and storytelling.
Lewis Hamilton, not just a producer on the movie but its creative pulse, made a stunning turn-out, strutting the red carpet with unparalled elegance. He was accompanied by the movie’s star man, Brad Pitt, whose arrival brought a buzz of excitement to the crowd. The duo was dressed to the nines, and the perfect blend of motorsport tough and Hollywood glamour. They were accompanied. F1 big-hitters like Charles Leclerc, George Russell, Lando Norris, Pierre Gasly, and Carlos Sainz walked red carpets, dressed to the nines and as obviously having a blast as possible. It was a soothing thingicons usually only seen behind visors now bathing in light flares and admiration in business attire.
But despite how brightly the stars twinkled, it was the fans who gave the evening its beat. From rib-tickling one-liners to live TikTok responses, their social media commentary was continuous and hilarious. “Lewis pulled out the Burj Khalifa lift elevators tonight,” a fan joked, while another added, “This is going to be sooo goood.” Hashtags inundated social media as the fans praised the drivers’ red-carpet attire, reacted in shock and awe at celebrity guest appearances, and wondered how the movie would interweave real F1 racing with Hollywood drama.
Brad Pitt, whose real-life star vehicle Sonny Hayes frontlines the movie, also stole the show as fans posted videos of his debonair nature and old-school flair. With buzz from early private screenings already promising A-list performances and realistic race scenes, the hype for the film’s public debut is now off the charts. The movie isn’t just a dramatized take on racing—it’s a blend of real F1 lifestyle, high-stakes drama, and celebrity participation, and one of the most anticipated sports films of the year.
With its debut now printed on both fans’ and stars’ minds, F1: The Movie has shifted from curious to must-see. From the shining billboards of Times Square to the darkest recesses of the internet, the word was out and loud—Formula 1 is in Hollywood, and it’s not going anywhere.
