Damson Idris, who plays Joshua Pearce in F1 The Movie, has crossed from screen to circuit: last month he was named a Global Brand Ambassador for Formula 1. The film — largely shot on actual F1 grids and featuring Idris and co-star Brad Pitt doing much of their own driving — has earned more than $630 million and helped introduce a wider, younger and more diverse audience to the sport. The movie also picked up four Oscar nominations and won Best Sound. Ahead of the awards, Idris spoke about his new role and what he learned from spending time inside the paddock.
Q: How do you feel about becoming an F1 ambassador and what will you be doing?
DI: I’m thrilled. I’ll be at races and events showing how F1 is evolving and intersecting with fashion, culture and lifestyle. It’s about bringing different communities into the sport and highlighting its wider influence.
Q: What draws you to F1?
DI: The constant innovation. There’s always something new — the engineering, the strategy, the culture — it’s always moving forward in a positive way.
Q: Did making the film change how interested you were in the sport?
DI: I was already curious, but working on the movie deepened that interest a lot. Being on the grids and learning from real drivers made it much more real.
Q: How has the movie helped grow F1’s audience?
DI: It’s the highest-grossing sports movie ever, and that reach matters. I know people who’ve seen it many times. Young people from different backgrounds are now thinking about careers in the sport — not just as fans but as drivers, engineers and crew.
Q: What surprised you when you had close access to the paddock?
DI: How much drivers themselves shape the sport. They have a direct voice in rules and safety changes — they’re making the place better for everyone.
Q: Any favorite on-set moments?
DI: Singing the national anthem at Silverstone with the drivers and walking the grid was unforgettable. That energy was something special.
Q: You trained a lot for the racing scenes. Did that change your view of drivers?
DI: Absolutely. I respected them before, but after training and seeing the speeds and endurance required, I have a new level of awe — I almost fear them. The performance week after week is otherworldly.
Q: You spent time with Lewis Hamilton and other drivers. How did that help?
DI: Being around them let me soak everything up. They helped make the film authentic, and I’m excited to reconnect with them in my ambassador role.
Q: How did it feel to get four Oscar nominations and a win?
DI: It validated all the hard work we put in. We poured a lot of love into the project, so the recognition was a huge bonus.
Q: What did you think of the 2025 F1 season?
DI: It was full of entertainment and drama. Those highs and lows are what make me look forward to the next season.
Q: Do you have an F1 hero?
DI: Like my character Joshua Pearce, Lewis Hamilton is my hero — and he’s become a dear friend.
Q: Are you excited about the 2026 regulations and the next season?
DI: Very excited. Change keeps racing interesting — it’s like weather: it shakes things up and forces everyone to adapt.
As an ambassador, Idris says he plans to use his platform to showcase F1’s evolving culture and help bring new fans into the fold — combining his movie experience with a genuine enthusiasm for the sport.