Ferrari nearly disqualified on set: Kerry Condon recalls the high-stakes drama behind the wew F1 movie – With the global release of F1, the high-octane Hollywood film starring Brad Pitt and produced by Lewis Hamilton, fast approaching, one of the cast members has shared behind-the-scenes memories that may leave even the most seasoned motorsport fan stunned. Irish actress Kerry Condon, best known for her roles in The Banshees of Inisherin and Better Call Saul, revealed just how close the fictional world of cinema came to disrupting the real-life stakes of Formula 1.
Condon’s account offers a rare, unfiltered insight into the intense logistics and high-voltage tension involved in filming a blockbuster movie during actual Grand Prix weekends. With the film scheduled to premiere in cinemas on 25 June, her recollections could not be more timely.
A Race Against Time — Literally
Filming F1 wasn’t like shooting any other sports film. Rather than relying on studio trickery or green screens, director Joseph Kosinski and the production team opted for authenticity, embedding themselves directly into the heart of the F1 circus. From Silverstone to Budapest, the cast and crew shot scenes live at Grand Prix weekends alongside real teams, pit crews and championship contenders.
‘It was like filming a war movie on an actual battlefield,’ Condon explained in an interview with Numéro. ‘You’re surrounded by all these insanely fast, loud machines, and yet we had to act like this was normal. It looked like a film set, but it felt like a live sports broadcast — and there was no room for error.”
Unlike traditional shoots, where multiple takes are the norm, the crew had to make do with extremely limited time windows. ‘The number of takes was so limited,’ said Condon. “Sometimes we had one shot. Two, if we were lucky. Once Brad Pitt took off his helmet, people would recognise him instantly. You’d have fans suddenly pointing and shouting in the middle of the shot. That would be the take, whether you liked it or not.”
This also meant an end to the usual comforts of set life. ‘No makeup artists on the grid. No hair retouching. Once you were out there, that was it. You had to fend for yourself. And no, there were no bathroom breaks,’ she laughed. ‘But I didn’t mind. I’ve always been a bit of a tomboy anyway.’
A Brush with Disaster — and a Ferrari
But the stakes weren’t just artistic. In one stunning anecdote, Condon revealed that, during one shoot, a small misstep could have resulted in the disqualification of an actual Formula 1 team.
This occurred during a scene intended to depict the first fictional race win for Pitt’s on-screen team. It was a pivotal moment for the film, and it was being filmed just as the real Grand Prix was coming to an end.
‘The actual race had just ended, and the real cars were coming in and parking on the grid. At that point, the FIA rules kicked in. You cannot touch those cars. Not the paintwork. Not the wing. Not even a wheel nut. Nothing,” Condon recalled. ‘We were warned again and again: If you touch the car, that team can be disqualified. It’s that strict.’
As the scene played out, with the fake crew preparing for their victory celebrations and the real teams just steps away, the line between fiction and reality became dangerously blurred.
“Imagine the headlines,” Condon said, laughing. “Ferrari Disqualified Because Actress from The Banshees of Inisherin Brushed a Rear Wing.” I mean, I was terrified. The pressure was so high. But somehow, we pulled it off. The confetti dropped at just the right moment; the energy was electric and everyone was buzzing. It felt like a real win.”
That night, the cast and crew went out in Budapest to celebrate not just the fictional race result, but also the fact that everything had gone according to plan.
F1’s fiction and reality collide
It’s not hard to see why F1 has stirred excitement within both the film and racing worlds. With Lewis Hamilton acting as co-producer and technical consultant, the film promises an unprecedented level of authenticity. From the roar of the engines to the whispered tension in the paddock, F1 intends to capture the visceral drama of the sport like never before.
Brad Pitt plays a former driver who makes a dramatic return to the grid, teaming up with a hotshot young rookie at the fictional APXGP squad — an outfit so convincingly created that they were given their own garage and even ran a modified F2 car during practice sessions.
Condon’s role remains largely under wraps, but if her recollections are anything to go by, her contribution was far from peripheral. She was part of the APXGP team both on and off screen, embedded within the real mechanics and personnel from up and down the pit lane.
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A Crossover Like No Other
The hybrid nature of F1 — a fictional story shot amidst real-life sporting chaos — is one of the boldest experiments ever attempted in a mainstream film. Not even Rush or Le Mans dared to push the boundaries this far.
While the actors raced down the pit lane and took part in grid interviews, real drivers such as Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc and George Russell prepared for qualifying sessions just metres away. In fact, Pitt and his co-star, Damson Idris, were spotted in full race gear during the grid walk at Silverstone in 2023. They blended in so well that some fans thought they were new drivers making their debut.
This blurring of truth and fiction is what gives F1 its tantalising edge — and its hidden dangers.
“You felt like you were always one misstep away from breaking something real,” said Condon. ‘Whether that was a $10 million race car or a championship season for an actual team. But that’s also what made it thrilling.’
Anticipation accelerates towards release
As the 25 June release date approaches, F1 is generating increasing buzz. Early footage suggests a high-octane, adrenaline-pumping sports drama with all the spectacle and glamour expected of the world’s most elite racing series. For purists and casual fans alike, it offers a rare insight into the hidden world of paddock politics, team dynamics and the sheer danger of modern motorsport.
But for those behind the scenes, like Kerry Condon, it was more than just a film. It was walking a tightrope across two realities with no safety net and only one chance to get it right.
‘There were moments of pure panic, of course,’ she admitted. ‘But there was also magic. And that’s what cinema and sport are really all about.”
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With over 30 years of experience in Formula 1 as an insider journalist, I have built trusted connections across the paddock, from race engineers and mechanics to senior team figures. At The Judge 13, I and a handful of trusted colleagues share exclusive Formula 1 news, expert analysis and behind-the-scenes stories you will not find in mainstream motorsport media.
