Formula 1 Pro Lewis Hamilton Was 'Impressed' by Brad Pitt's Natural Race Car Driving Skills on 'F1' (Exclusive)

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F1 director Joseph Kosinski revealed to PEOPLE that Formula One pro Lewis Hamilton was "impressed" by Brad Pitt's natural driving talent
Of Pitt and costar Damson Idris, Kosinski adds, "They both trained for four months"
F1 revs into theaters Friday, June 27Brad Pitt's driving skills might just live up to some of the best in Formula One, as far as Lewis Hamilton is concerned.
In an exclusive chat with PEOPLE surrounding their new movie F1, director Joseph Kosinksi says that Formula One pro Hamilton, 40 — who co-produced and also appears in the sports drama — praised star Pitt, 61, for his hands-on approach to his stunts.
"I had Lewis Hamilton drive with Brad right at the beginning to kind of see his level of skill," says Kosinski, 51. "And Lewis was really impressed that Brad kind of had that talent right out of the gate."
Of Pitt and costar Damson Idris, the director adds, "They both trained for four months — really intense training to get up to the level they needed to shoot this movie."
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Pitt leads F1 as both a co-producer and its star, playing retired racer Sonny Hayes who returns to Formula One in a fictional team. Idris, 33, costars as Joshua Pierce, Sonny's rookie teammate.
The two men — who have different approaches — immediately clash. Indeed, according to the film's official synopsis, Idris' character is "intent on setting his own pace."
The Ehren Kruger-written film, made in collaboration with real-life F1 athletes like producer Hamilton, also stars Kerry Condon, Kim Bodnia, Javier Bardem, Tobias Menzies and Sarah Niles.
Asked about whether he was concerned for Pitt's safety when they began filming, Kosinski tells PEOPLE that the filmmakers "didn't just hope for the best," as they "knew he was a skilled driver."
"We had the best drivers in the world around him, training him. He had been on the simulator. So we did everything the right way. We were in [a Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile]-approved car — this wasn't a movie car. This is a real race car with the safety cell and everything," he explains. "So we were doing it the right way."
"But still, yeah, there's a point where you're like, 'This is really intense,' " Kosinski adds.
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The director praises Idris and Pitt as "natural athletes," crediting the Pitt's "years of riding motorcycles" for giving him "a feel for the car" in F1.
As for the Oscar winner's willingness to get behind the wheel, Kosinski jokes they "had to tear him out of" the car once filming wrapped.
"The saddest day for Brad was when we said, 'It's a wrap,' and he had to climb out of the car," the filmmaker tells PEOPLE. "He just loved it. [Brad and Damson] both had the best time."
F1 revs into theaters Friday, June 27.
For more about F1, pick up the latest issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands Friday.
Read the original article on People