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Lewis Hamilton worked as a producer on Apple's ( AAPL ) 'F1' movie

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Apple ( AAPL ) developed camera technology used in the film

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Movie stars Brad Pitt as a fictional Formula 1 driver

By Rollo Ross

CUPERTINO, California, June 16 (Reuters) - Racing legend

Lewis Hamilton, a producer on an upcoming movie starring Brad

Pitt as a fictional Formula 1 driver, wanted the film to show

the reality of what it looks, feels and sounds like to speed

around a track at 200 miles per hour.

To avoid having Apple's ( AAPL ) "F1 The Movie" seem "faked"

by Hollywood, Hamilton provided input on details such as when

drivers should brake or shift gears. The film will be released

in theaters by Warner Bros on June 27.

"I really wanted to make sure the authenticity was there,

and it worked for both the younger and the older audience, and

then making sure that the racing was true to what it is,"

Hamilton said in an interview with Reuters Television.

"All the other drivers, all the teams, are relying on me to

make sure that it does," the seven-time world champion added.

In the movie, Pitt plays a driver who comes out of

retirement to mentor a young hotshot portrayed by Damson Idris.

Co-stars include Javier Bardem and Kerry Condon.

Portions of the film were shot during real-life F1 events in

Abu Dhabi, Mexico City and other Grand Prix stops. The

filmmakers would shoot on the tracks during short breaks in the

races. Pitt and Idris drove themselves in professional race cars

at high speeds.

Before filming started, Hamilton said he met with Pitt at a

racetrack in Los Angeles so he could size up the actor's driving

skills.

"I really wanted to see, can you actually drive?" Hamilton

said. A longtime motorcycle rider and racing fan, Pitt showed a

baseline ability at that point that made Hamilton comfortable.

"He already had the knack," Hamilton said, which the actor

further developed through weeks of intense training. "He really

went in deep," Hamilton said.

"F1" was directed by Joseph Kosinski and produced by Jerry

Bruckheimer, the team that put together the thrilling

fighter-jet scenes in 2022 blockbuster film "Top Gun: Maverick."

For "F1," they needed new cameras that would work in race

cars, which can be slowed down by extra weight.

Producing partner Apple ( AAPL ), which began releasing movies in

2019, was able to help.

The company used some of its iPhone technology to adapt a

camera system typically used in real F1 cars during TV

broadcasts. The hardware looked like a traditional F1 camera but

delivered the high-resolution video that the filmmakers wanted

for the big screen.

"This movie was just a great example of putting the whole of

the company behind a movie," Apple ( AAPL ) Chief Executive Tim Cook

said. "We designed the camera that went into the car to capture

the incredible driving experience. It makes you feel like you're

actually sitting in the car and experiencing what Brad is

experiencing."

Cook said he felt the movie showcased the athleticism

required to rise to the elite ranks of F1 driving. Hamilton said

he had encouraged more examples of the sport's physical

challenges. Drivers can lose five or 10 pounds, he said, from

the exertion during a race.

"You have to be able to show that part of it. You're

training. You're conditioning your body," Hamilton said. "The

car, it beats you up."