Formula 1 Reimagined: Brad Pitt Through the Lens of GQ

Ihor Saveliev
May 25
2 min read

Photography by Nathaniel Goldberg

Originally published by GQ

Photography by Nathaniel Goldberg / Talent: Brad Pitt

In one of the most atmospheric fashion features of the year, GQ unveiled a visual campaign for the upcoming Formula 1 film starring Brad Pitt, Lewis Hamilton, and Damson Idris. Shot by the legendary Nathaniel Goldberg, the campaign was photographed in the stunning village of Glenorchy, just outside Queenstown, on New Zealand’s South Island.

Director: Josh Wallace / JJ Harris / Tanguy Masson / Director of Photography: Josh Wallace / JJ Harris / Tanguy Masson / Editor: Gerard Zarra / Talent: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Lewis Hamilton Creative / Producer: Sam Dennis / Line Producer: Jen Santos / Production Manager: James Pipitone / Production Coordinator: Elizabeth Hymes

Photography by Nathaniel Goldberg / Talent: Brad Pitt

Pitt doesn’t appear as a polished Hollywood icon here. He emerges as a weathered, introspective character: grey in his beard, his hands stained with oil, and his gaze carrying the weight of lived experience. He’s not chasing speed — he’s remembering. And that tone sets the emotional rhythm of the entire shoot.

We see him knee-deep in the icy waters of Lake Wakatipu, staring through a cracked window, or seated on an old wooden chair beside a weather-beaten cottage lost in time. In every scene, there’s a quiet poetry of solitude, reflection, and self-reconnection. It’s not just a film promotion — it’s a visual meditation.

Pitt’s styling amplifies this narrative: a vintage green jacket from Belstaff Archive, a yellow turtleneck by Saint Laurent, Visvim boots, and Jacques Marie Mage sunglasses. The look is completed with Pitt’s accessories — a carved pounamu pendant and a gold medallion — transforming the photos into an intimate portrait, rather than a movie still.

Photography by Nathaniel Goldberg / Talent: Brad Pitt

The film behind this campaign is set to release in June 2025, directed by Joseph Kosinski, best known for Top Gun: Maverick. The story follows a retired Formula 1 driver returning to the sport to mentor a young talent. Brad Pitt plays the lead, while Lewis Hamilton not only produces but also serves as a consultant to ensure the authenticity of the racing culture depicted.

Filming takes place at real F1 circuits during actual Grand Prix weekends — from Silverstone to Abu Dhabi — using real cars, teams, and current drivers, including Charles Leclerc, George Russell, and others. This isn’t just a film — it’s a synthesis of documentary realism and cinematic storytelling.

That same approach is reflected in the GQ shoot. There’s no artificial gloss, no staged nostalgia — only raw, documentary-like immersion.