London24NEWS

Brad Pitt slammed for ‘unforgivable’ F1 podium act after Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Hollywood megastar Brad Pitt was slammed for his actions on the podium when filming his upcoming F1 movie at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday

Charles Leclerc of Ferrari, George Russell of Mercedes, actor Javier Bardem and Brad Pitt, actor playing Sonny Hayes, a driver of the fictional Apex APXGP F1 team in the upcoming 'F1' movie directed by Joseph Kosinski, are filming a scene on the podium during Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit on December 8th, 2024 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Brad Pitt was slammed for his actions(Image: NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Brad Pitt has been slammed for an “unforgivable” act on the podium at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

The Hollywood A-lister, 60, has been a fixture of the F1 grid for the past 18 months as he films his upcoming racing movie, simply titled F1, alongside co-star Damon Idris.

The film will be a collaboration between F1 and Apple TV, with the plot centred around a former driver who comes out of retirement to help mentor a younger star and try to win a championship.

READ MORE: Max Verstappen crashes at Abu Dhabi GP as stellar Lando Norris sees McLaren seal title win

READ MORE: George Russell claims ‘bully’ Max Verstappen made chilling ‘crash’ threat as F1 war erupts

However, Pitt ruffled some feathers over the weekend as he was spotted posing for snaps for Ferrari and Alpine, which left some fans with a sour taste in their mouths.

Alpine’s Eteban Ocon has made an abrupt exit from his team without so much as a send off, despite being their only driver to win a race. And during the race, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and the departing Carlos Sainz finished second and third, behind winner Lando Norris, as they just missed out on the World Constructors Championship by 14 points.

Charles Leclerc of Ferrari, George Russell of Mercedes, actor Javier Bardem and Brad Pitt, actor playing Sonny Hayes, a driver of the fictional Apex APXGP F1 team in the upcoming 'F1' movie directed by Joseph Kosinski, are filming a scene on rge podium during Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit on December 8th, 2024 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Brad Pitt has been filming his upcoming movie across the season(Image: NurPhoto via Getty Images)

“It hurts a lot, I really wish we could have won also for the last season with Carlos,” Leclerc said in an emotional radio message. “It’s been an absolute pleasure to work with him and I wish him the best and thank you again for everything and I’m sorry today wasn’t enough.”

Article continues below

Leclerc looked heartbroken on the final podium – and he was soon collared to get back up on the podium, alongside Mercedes’ George Russell, to film with Pitt for the movie.

“Charles, absolutely depressed after the loss of WCC, having to go back on the podium and act for the movie, doing multiple takes on the scene. You can’t make this up,” one fan fumed. As another weighed in: “That’s unforgivable!”

And a second said: “Imagine you’re Charles Leclerc and your team just lost WCC and your team-mate just left and you also lost P2 in WDC and they’re making you act with Brad Pitt…”