Williams team boss James Vowles reveals the lengths to which the producers behind F1: The Movie went to make the film realistic. Not only did lead actor Brad Pitt drive in a converted Formula 2 car during several race weekends, but no expense was spared for the sets either. The Williams team was asked if they would make their wind tunnel available for the F1 movie. Vowles was eager to be part of this ‘important milestone’.
In just a week, the much-discussed F1: The Movie will hit the cinemas. Opinions so far are very divided about the upcoming Hollywood blockbuster. However, the drivers themselves praised the realistic portrayal of the action on the track. Lead actor Brad Pitt drove in a modified Formula 2 car during several Formula 1 weekends. No expense was spared for the sets either, reveals Williams team boss James Vowles.
Both Vowles himself and the wind tunnel of the midfield team have a supporting role in the film. “They (the producers behind the F1 movie, ed.) approached us,” the Brit tells The Times. “They could have built a film set from what I understood, but they preferred to film in the real environment (of a wind tunnel, ed.).”
Williams eventually allowed the film’s cast and crew access, although it didn’t exactly benefit the team’s season preparations. “It was difficult to halt our programs and let them in,” Vowles continues. “There’s a limited number of hours that the wind tunnel can be ‘on’, so you can work around that. It’s disruptive, but it was for a very important project.” Williams had to prove to the FIA that they would not gain a competitive advantage from lending their wind tunnel to the production team behind the F1 movie.
Payment
The British racing team, however, did not end up empty-handed when the team behind F1: The Movie left. “There was a payment, but we didn’t make any money from it. That’s not the purpose and it wouldn’t be,” adds Vowles. “Taking our own program out of the tunnel for four days is not the best thing you can do in a competitive year. But I truly believe this is an incredibly important milestone in our history and for the future, so I wanted to be part of it in some way.”
