Seven-time Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton says work on a sequel to F1: The Movie has already begun.
The Ferrari driver confirmed that early script meetings are underway with producer Jerry Bruckheimer and director Joseph Kosinski. Hamilton will again serve as a producer on the project.
He shared the update while speaking to reporters ahead of the 2026 Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne. Hamilton said the team has already held several meetings with writer Ehren Kruger to shape the first script.
The original film and its remarkable box office run
Released in June 2025, F1: The Movie followed a veteran racer trying to return to the sport. Brad Pitt played Sonny Hayes, a wandering driver who joins the struggling APXGP team run by former teammate Rubén Cervantes, played by Javier Bardem. Hayes teams up with rookie driver Joshua Pearce, portrayed by Damson Idris, as they chase a race win during the final nine rounds of the season.
The movie opened strongly with $146.3 million worldwide. It became the first major theatrical hit for Apple and the studio’s first film to lead the box office during its opening weekend. By its second weekend, the film had already crossed $200 million globally.
In early August 2025, the film passed $540 million worldwide. That figure pushed it ahead of Pitt’s previous record holder, World War Z. Its global total now stands above $630 million.
The film also gained major award recognition. It earned four nominations at the Academy Awards in 2026, including Best Picture, Best Sound, Best Film Editing and Best Visual Effects. It also won Best Sound at the BAFTA Film Awards and became the highest-grossing sports film ever made.
Lewis Hamilton had a central role in the original production
Hamilton’s work on the first movie went far beyond a simple appearance. He joined Bruckheimer and Pitt as one of the producers. Kosinski often said Hamilton played a key role in shaping how Formula 1 appeared on screen.
The director said Hamilton helped guide the project from its earliest stages. He advised the team on racing details and the daily life in the sport. That input helped the filmmakers keep the racing scenes accurate.
Hamilton also assessed whether Pitt could realistically drive the cars used for filming. Kosinski said the actor showed natural skill behind the wheel early in training.
Script development has already begun
During a media session in Melbourne, Hamilton said the sequel is already moving forward with story development. He explained that the process began late last year. Now, the group is meeting often to refine story ideas and decide how the next film should move forward.
“We are already working on the first script,” the Ferrari driver told the media “We had our first meeting maybe mid-to-late the second part of the end of the year. Me, Jerry, Joe [Kosinski] talking about different ideas, different directions that we could go with the script.”
“And then with Ehren [Kruger], we’ve had plenty of meetings on it. So it’s really exciting. I’m super excited. Now I’ve been through it, and it was already very intense the first time going. Now I’m used to it. So I know what to expect,” Hamilton added.
The driver said the first film was an intense process, but he now understands what the production demands. That experience will help him as the sequel takes shape.
Hamilton also said the movie still reaches new viewers. People continue to message him after watching it, often saying it pushed them to learn more about Formula 1. He said many fans fall down a “rabbit hole” as they start to explore the sport.
Still, the 41-year-old wants the team to move carefully. He said many sequels struggle to match the first film. For that reason, the group plans to take time and make sure the story works.
Lewis Hamilton rules out an on-camera role
One question around the sequel is whether Hamilton might appear on screen. For now, he says that it is unlikely.
“I don’t really have a lot of desire to be on camera,” Hamilton said. “I really liked the idea of being in the background.”
He said acting is a difficult craft and requires a different kind of skill. Producing, he added, is something he enjoys more.
Casting decisions for the sequel are still undecided. Bruckheimer has said he will play a major role in choosing the actors. He described his past work with Pitt as a thrill but stopped short of confirming the actor’s return as Sonny Hayes.
Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali also urged patience. He said the sport must first recognise how big the original film’s success has been before rushing a follow-up. If a sequel happens, he said, it must be “very, very good.”
The first film showed that Formula 1 could reach far beyond its usual fan base. It drew both longtime followers and new viewers who had never watched a race.
