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Damson Idris tells PEOPLE that his driving got “a lot safer” after filming his new movie F1
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“I have so much respect for F1 drivers and the speeds that they reach,” says the actor
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The movie, which also stars Brad Pitt, Javier Bardem and Kerry Condon, opens in theaters nationwide Friday, June 27
Damson Idris eased his foot off the gas pedal after filming his new movie F1.
The 33-year-old actor told PEOPLE that the fast speeds he reached in the film about Formula 1 racing has caused him to drive differently in real life.
“I’m not going to lie, it actually made me drive a lot safer,” he said at the New York City premiere of F1 on June 16. “I have so much respect for F1 drivers and the speeds that they reach and the amount of pressure that they’re under while they reach those speeds.”
“So yeah, now when I’m in the car, I’m definitely just cruising and minding my business,” adds Idris, who drove up to 180 mph while shooting scenes for the movie.
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Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures / Apple Original Films
Damson Idris and Brad Pitt in F1 (2025)
In the film, Idris plays Joshua Pierce, the rookie teammate of Brad Pitt’s character Sonny Hayes, a former Formula 1 driver who comes back to the sport after decades away.
The two men — who have different approaches — immediately clash. Indeed, according to the film’s official synopsis, Idris’ character is “intent on setting his own pace.”
Idris previously told PEOPLE that he “watched every single race” he could in preparation for the film — and that he and Pitt, 61, bonded despite the acrimony between their characters.
“It was a seamless dynamic between us. As soon as they’d yell ‘Cut!’, we both sat at our seats and giggled,” Idrid said in May.
Arturo Holmes/WireImage
Damson Idris at the premiere of F1 in New York City on June 16, 2025
He continued of Pitt, “He’d be telling me stories of when he first met Prince and Sidney Poitier. And I’m like, ‘Oh my God, this is just too iconic; you’re a walking monument.’ “
“I always say [Brad is] the most humble person and such a brilliant actor, and he wants you to win,” Idris added. “And he did that for me the entire movie — made a point of having the two characters be equals — so I’m incredibly indebted to him, and I can’t wait people to see it.”
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F1 director Joseph Kosinski told PEOPLE at the premiere that Idris — who has also starred in the FX series Snowfall — “has it all,” and he is excited to see where he goes from this movie.
F1 is in theaters nationwide Friday, June 27.
Read the original article on People
