SEATTLE — Former Formula One driver Luciano Bacheta faced an unusual challenge when he signed on to train Brad Pitt for “F1: The Movie” — Don’t kill the movie star.
“It’s true,” Bacheta said with a laugh. “Which was very to the point but also very understood.”
Bacheta had just weeks to teach Pitt and co-star Damson Idris skills most racing drivers absorb over a lifetime for the film, which began streaming on Apple TV+ this week and has earned seven Critics Choice nominations.
The former F1 driver brought both actors up to speeds approaching 200 mph, teaching them track navigation, vehicle control and eventually wheel-to-wheel racing at 180 mph.
“Once they were consistently fast, we’d then bring in the wheel-to-wheel racing elements where we would literally be side by side at 180 miles per hour,” Bacheta said.
Pitt proved intensely competitive during the four-month training period. In one session, Bacheta challenged the actor to prevent him from passing.
“I promised him there were no rules, that he could be as aggressive as he likes, even pushing me on the grass,” Bacheta said. “And a couple of times he did. He took no prisoners.”
Despite earning a Critics Choice nomination for stunt design, Bacheta, who also appeared in the movie, credited the actors for facing real danger while performing and acting simultaneously at actual Formula One races.
“Imagine spending hours on end, moving your foot down at top speed, and acting,” he said. “That’s what they had to do.”
The Critics Choice Awards will be presented Jan. 4.
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