WITH SA hard at work to reclaim its position on the F1 arena, it was useful for one to honour an invitation courtesy of MSC Cruises SA, to watch the screening of much talked about F1- The Movie.
The film follows racing driver Sonny Hayes (Brad Pitt), who is convinced to return to Formula 1 with the struggling APXGP F1 Team on the brink of being sold.
He is partnered with rookie driver Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris), whom he is encouraged to mentor and pass down his years of racing knowledge to – but the pair immediately clash, not only on the track but also in the garage, where tensions are high and neither is used to coming second.
Globally, the sport has fan base of over 900m, superstar drivers and countries often vying for a place on its annual calendar (SA included), it commands worldwide attention.
The production also features seven-time world champion Sir Lewis Hamilton, who is the producer of the film, and his expertise was aimed at making this the “most authentic racing movie that’s ever been made”.
Chassis from Formula 2 vehicles were built up to look like Formula 1 cars, and filmmakers worked with the Mercedes F1 team to build custom bodywork according to real-world regulations.
Cameras were then built into the models at 16 different places, giving viewers gripping perspectives of racing not seen before.
The cameo of Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff, and other F1 drivers shows the work put behind this thrilling and exhilarating production, that had guests on their feet, some on the edge of their seats- with popcorns flying all over, preceded by welcome drinks and canapes- the MSC Cruise style…
According to MSC Cruises SA boss Ross Volk, the filming took place over two years at real race weekends and circuits including Silverstone, Spa and Yas Marina, and alongside real Formula 1 drivers on the grid, in the paddock, on the podium and on the track, he said at the special screening held at Monte-Casino, Fourways.
The audience is treated to shots of wide, open skies above hundreds of thousands of fans, the roar of the crowd rising up from the grandstands, the smoke of flares coloured in Ferrari red and Dutch orange.
We ride onboard through every sweeping corner of the racetrack, and feel the pure speed when the pedal hits metal. There are heart-in-throat moments as drivers fight for position, the thrill when they win a tussle and shock when they crash out with sickening crunches of carbon fibre meeting barrier.
This is undoubtedly a technically stunning film.
We hope and pray the F1 team and executives, will afford SA another opportunity to host this much-sought after spectacle in no distant future.
F1- The Movie is screening countrywide at nearest cinemas.
Image supplied (Damson Idris as Joshua Pearce and Brad Pitt as Sonny Hayes in F1: The Movie).
