Brad Pitt’s Formula One racing drama goes off grid as Hollywood star is forced to scrap footage ‘worth millions of pounds’ over sponsorship fiasco

Brad Pitt has dropped his new racing drama after a change in sponsorship deals following the writers’ strike led to the actor scrapping hours of previously recorded footage.

The Oscar-winning actor has teamed up with director Joseph Kosinski for an untitled project, in which he plays a Formula 1 veteran who comes out of retirement to train an up-and-coming driver.

Pitt, 59, and his production team had shot hours of footage on location during the first half of the F1 season, with the actor filming in a Formula 2 car with an added Formula 1 aero package at the Silverstone circuit in July.

But the subsequent 118-day actors’ strike, which affected almost two million industry jobs before ending in November, put a brake on further work on location.

The delay and subsequent agreement between the SAG-AFTRA union and film studios has since resulted in a change in sponsorship agreements, rendering any pre-recorded film unusable.

New role: The Oscar-winning actor has teamed up with director Joseph Kosinski (pictured) for an untitled project in which he plays a Formula 1 veteran who comes out of retirement to train an up-and-coming driver

As a result, Pitt – who is producing the film alongside Jerry Bruckheimer and Formula 1 star Lewis Hamilton – has since been forced to scrap tens of millions of pounds worth of valuable footage.

A source said The sun: ‘It’s really a nightmare for Brad and the team. There were many events set aside for filming throughout the year, which would have helped reduce costs rather than having to recreate quick moments and wide shots.

‘However, now that all the sponsors have changed it, the images are no longer available. It’s annoying for Brad and Lewis, who see this project as their baby.

“Apple Studios, who helped make the film, are far from impressed, but ultimately there’s not much they can do.”

Pitt and his team had worked in Hungary before the SAG-AFTRA strikes, but wanted to show solidarity with pickets despite the European country being outside the jurisdiction of the Hollywood actors’ union.

“Brad agreed that they would complete the filming that had been booked, but postponed the planned production for the next two months,” a source said at the time.

“Postponing production was a huge decision, especially financially, but Brad has listened to the concerns of the people he works with and wants to show his support.”

The source added: “The cast and crew of Apex are filming in Budapest, but Brad has called for future dates to be postponed in solidarity with everyone on strike.”

Wrench at work: But the subsequent 118-day actors’ strike, which affected almost two million industry jobs before ending in November, put a brake on further work on location

Exciting: The Fight Club star plays veteran driver Sonny Hayes, who has come out of retirement to compete alongside young rookie Joshua Pearce, played by Damson Idris

Pitt had already spent two months getting to know the Formula 2 machines – first at the Paul Ricard Circuit in France and then at Silverstone.

The Fight Club star plays veteran driver Sonny Hayes, who has come out of retirement to team up with young rookie Joshua Pearce, played by Damson Idris, and compete against the sport’s biggest titans.

Spanish star Javier Bardem is also expected to appear as Sonny’s APXGP team boss, while Lewis Hamilton will have a role in the film – presumably as himself.

Hamilton recently spoke about the film, saying, “There are nerves because it’s something we’ve been working on for so long.

“We want everyone to love it and really feel like we’re capturing what the essence of this sport is about.”

Preparation: The Hollywood heartthrob was seen at the Austin Grand Prix on October 23, 2022, where he appeared to prepare for the role by studying the sport

There it is: Pitt was also photographed at the Silverstone Circuit in July, filming scenes for his new film