F1: The Movie' uses many locations familiar for F1 fans, but using the secretive design facilities of one team had to be cleared legally

F1 stars Brad Pitt as Sonny Hayes, a middle-aged, washed up driver who retired from the limelight after a near-fatal crash at the Spanish Grand Prix 30 years ago. He now spends his days filling in at a hodgepodge of motorsport competitions — from the 24 Hours of Daytona race in the US to the Baja 100 in Mexico.

As producer Jerry Bruckheimer cautioned a preview audience, “Remember, this is not a documentary. It’s a movie.” Bruckheimer teamed up with director Joseph Kosinski to make Brad Pitt’s Formula One movie,