Oscar Piastri, the Australian Formula One driver, has long been known for his calm and composed nature, a trait that remained unchanged even after meeting Hollywood icon Brad Pitt during the filming of the F1 movie in 2023. According to Piastri’s mother, Nicole, her son was unfazed by the encounter and even claimed he had not spoken with the actor.

Meeting Brad Pitt: A Scene Without a Conversation

The F1 movie, released in 2025, featured Brad Pitt as a veteran Formula One driver mentoring a young talent, blending real race weekends with a fictional storyline. Part of the film was shot during the 2023 British Grand Prix at Silverstone, where scenes were captured using real race events. During the national anthem, Pitt and co-star Damson Idris stood alongside real Formula One drivers, including Piastri.

Despite the opportunity to interact with Pitt, Piastri maintained his usual demeanor. Nicole revealed that her son had no recollection of the meeting, even after watching the film. ‘I saw him standing next to you,’ she told him. ‘He goes, ‘ah, yeah. I didn’t talk to him though.’ I said, ‘why not?’ He goes, ‘what are you going to say to that old guy?’

Piastri’s mother emphasized that her son’s laid-back nature remained intact, even when rubbing shoulders with a Hollywood A-lister. ‘So, no, fame has not changed him one bit,’ she said.

A Passion for Speed From a Young Age

Despite his calm and collected personality, Piastri has always been drawn to the high-octane world of motorsports. His mother, Nicole, recalls trying to stop him from pursuing racing while he was still a schoolboy in Brighton. ‘I tried really hard but both grandparents are mechanics and his dad is into cars, he has a car tuning business, so it was happening pretty young,’ she said.

When Piastri was selected to represent Australia in go-karting, Nicole made a deal with his father, Chris, allowing him to compete as long as he did not perform poorly. ‘I thought I was on a winner,’ she said. ‘There was no way this kid who’d never raced these go-carts, who would’ve been jet lagged, couldn’t even communicate with his mechanic because he was an old guy that didn’t speak a word of English.’

Despite the odds, Piastri came in third in the race, a result that set him on the path to Formula One success. ‘Everything went against him and even when he got over there they have a tire allowance and they’d saved one set of tires for the race and they got stolen the night before,’ Nicole said. ‘And he came third so here we are that’s just fast-tracked everything.’

Brad Pitt’s Role in the F1 Movie

The F1 movie, which was shot during real race weekends, blended real drivers, teams, and circuits with a fictional storyline to create an authentic look inside the sport. Brad Pitt’s character was a veteran driver mentoring a young talent, a storyline that mirrored the real-world dynamics of the sport.

Pitt and co-star Damson Idris were seen standing alongside real Formula One drivers during the national anthem before the race, placing them beside stars such as Piastri. The production used the real race weekend to capture scenes featuring Pitt’s fictional APXGP team on the grid and track.

Despite the presence of a Hollywood star, Piastri’s reaction was one of indifference. ‘He made no mention of that,’ Nicole said. ‘And in one scene he’s standing next to Brad Pitt in the driver line up when they’re singing the national anthem.’

Piastri’s mother’s account highlights the contrast between the glamour of the film and the grounded nature of her son. ‘I go, ‘mate, I saw you. ‘I saw him standing next to you’. ‘He goes, ‘ah, yeah. I didn’t talk to him though’. I said, ‘why not?’ He goes, ‘what are you going to say to that old guy?’

As the F1 movie continues to gain attention, it serves as a reminder of the real-world drivers who brought authenticity to the film, including Piastri, whose focus remains firmly on his racing career rather than the Hollywood spotlight.