Brad Pitt's highly anticipated Formula One movie, 'F1', is set to hit theaters soon, and director Joseph Kosinski has revealed that the film could not have been made without the invaluable contributions of Lewis Hamilton. The Apple Original film, which features action scenes filmed during actual race weekends with the cooperation of Liberty Media, is scheduled for international release on June 25 and in North America on June 27.

Kosinski, known for directing the blockbuster 'Top Gun: Maverick', emphasized Hamilton's key role in the project. Hamilton, who joined Ferrari this season after winning six of his seven titles with Mercedes, served as a co-producer and consultant, ensuring the film's technical accuracy and authenticity.

"I sent him an email and just said, 'I want to tell the story in your world. I want to make it as authentic as possible. Will you help me?'" Kosinski recounted. "And luckily Lewis said yes. He had actually talked to me earlier about playing a role in 'Top Gun Maverick.' So that's how I knew Lewis."

Hamilton's involvement extended beyond production. He acted as a liaison with Formula One and provided detailed advice on racing techniques. For instance, during filming in Hungary, Hamilton advised that Brad Pitt's character should only let someone pass during a blue flag at turn six to maintain realism.

"That kind of detail ... from a seven-time world champion who lives and breathes this world every day, I couldn't have gotten that from anywhere else," Kosinski said.

Hamilton also influenced the film's narrative, inspiring a scene where Pitt's character discusses the spiritual reasons behind his passion for racing. Producer Jerry Bruckheimer highlighted Hamilton's insistence on authenticity, even in the film's sound design, noting an instance at Silverstone where Hamilton corrected the audio to match the actual gear used in a corner.

"It's that kind of detail that went into this," Bruckheimer said.

Hamilton has praised Pitt's driving skills, stating that the movie will be the most authentic racing film yet. Formula One hopes that 'F1' will build on the success of the Netflix docu-series 'Drive to Survive', which has significantly boosted the sport's popularity, especially in the U.S. market.

"I think there's this perception that 'Drive to Survive' turned America onto F1, but I think there's just so many more people out there that don't know anything about it," Kosinski remarked. "So there's a lot of potential still there."