F1 the movie shooting real race scene:
In an overwhelming and significant turn of events, the creators of F1 the movie are going to shoot real race scene by apple hacked iPhone camera as per sources. Director Joseph Kosinski who directed cult like Top Gun:Maverick and cinematographer claudio Miranda( the Curious Case of Benjamin Button) could not hold their excitement while sharing their thought upon using apple hacked iPhone camera for there spectacular real race scenes in the movie. they wanted a authentic realistic view from driver’s angle and what could be most cinematic experience other than one can capture by using hacked iPhone camera? The company states that it wanted to replace its standard broadcast module with its own iPhone powered camera.
But what is apple built “hacked iPhone camera”:
It is nothing that someone actually hacked the iPhone camera. It is just a engineered version of custom camera that is built by apple engineers using iPhone parts. More specifically, customized camera for the movie built by apple using its own technicalities similar to its iPhone camera.the camera is built using same sensor as used in iPhone camera.
To get more rear views from formula 1 driver’s seat , those customized cameras were installed within the car to captures the moments of scenes in most realistic way to give the audiences kind of first hand experiences. The movie stars Brad Pitt, Kerry Condon, Damson Idris, javier bardem etc.
48MP sensor and A17 prochip:
It is highly anticipated that the camera utilised 48MP sensor and A17 silicon chip in customizing the camera for shooting the scenes. Formula 1 movie is set to be released on june 27 on IMAX in USA.The movie can be viewed in apple TV+
About the movie:
F1 the movie is set to release on June 25 worldwide and on June 27 in USA.
Plot & Setting
- Brad Pitt stars as Sonny Hayes, a veteran Formula 1 driver making a dramatic comeback to mentor rising star Joshua Pearce (played by Damson Idris) on the underdog APXGP team owned by Javier Bardem’s character theaustralian.com.au+15esquire.com+15radionwtn.com+15.
- Weaving together mentorship, on-track drama, and personal struggle, the narrative revolves around Hayes’ redemption and team revival apple.com+15theaustralian.com.au+15radionwtn.com+15.
Cast & Crew
- Director: Joseph Kosinski (Top Gun: Maverick) people.com+15apple.com+15dailysabah.com+15
- Screenwriter: Ehren Kruger (with additional contributions) radionwtn.com+2en.wikipedia.org+2planetf1.com+2
- Producers: Brad Pitt, Jerry Bruckheimer, Lewis Hamilton (Dawn Apollo Films), and others theaustralian.com.au+15apple.com+15apple.com+15
- Key Cast: Damson Idris (rookie), Javier Bardem (team owner), Kerry Condon (technical director), Tobias Menzies, Sarah Niles, Kim Bodnia, and Samson Kayo
“Hacked iPhone camera ” in use:
F1 the movie using broadcast style module in using internals of iPhone in camera. Apple dismantled an iPhone 15 Pro sensor, A‑series chip (likely the A17 Pro), battery, and neutral‑density filter, repackaging them into a camera module that looked and weighed like standard F1 broadcast gear—so it wouldn’t interfere with car performance.
The X factor:
The F1 the movie as specifically framed by “hacked iPhone camera” is special in following features
- Pioneering smartphone cinematography: Apple essentially turned an iPhone into an industry-grade broadcast camera—doubling as a testbed for new iPhone 15 Pro consumer features (log encoding + ACES support).
- Unmatched authenticity: No fake rigs or CGI—just real racecars, real drivers, and real speed, captured with real expertise.
- A taste of the future: Apple’s iPhone tech is entering professional cinema—not as a replacement for Imax or ARRI, but as a lighter, smarter option for daring POVs.
F1 the movie is an immersive motorsport drama directed by Joseph Kosinski (known for Top Gun: Maverick). It centers on an aging Formula 1 driver (played by Brad Pitt) who comes out of retirement to mentor and race alongside a young rookie driver on a fictional team called APXGP.
Filming style & realism:
- F1 the movie filmed at real F1 races, alongside actual cars and drivers.
- Pitt’s fictional team has its own garage at real Grand Prix events.
- They are using specially modified F2 cars fitted with camera rigs, designed to look like F1 cars.
Frequently asked questions
Q1: Is F1 The Movie filmed with an iPhone?
Yes — but not just any iPhone. Apple engineers built a custom camera rig using the iPhone 15 Pro’s sensor and chip, repackaged to look like broadcast gear. It was designed to withstand the speed, heat and vibrations of an actual F1 car.
Q2: Why use an iPhone when there are Hollywood cameras?
For realism and flexibility. Cinema cameras are too big for cockpit shots or mounted angles at 300km/h. The iPhone’s tiny but powerful sensor and high quality Pro Res recording was perfect for helmet POVs and tight angles without adding weight that affects the car’s aerodynamics.
Q3: Did they just stick a phone on the car?
Not quite! The production team and Apple engineers built a custom module with extra cooling, shock resistance, ND filters and wired control — turning the iPhone’s internals into a mini broadcast camera. It was then mounted where F1 teams put TV cameras during races.
Q4: How did they control the camera while driving?
Via iPad & custom software. A connected iPad let the crew adjust shutter speed, ISO, white balance and recording — all in real time like pro cine cameras. This matched the footage with IMAX and ARRI shots.
Q5: Did Lewis Hamilton have a role in this tech? 🏎️ Yes! As co-producer, Hamilton worked with the director and Apple to ensure shots felt authentic — from driver eye-level views to the cockpit’s brutal motion. He even tested some camera placements himself.
Q6: Will future iPhones have this tech?
Sort of! Some features like ProRes log, ACES workflow and advanced stabilisation were tested in this custom rig. They’re a hint of what future iPhones might offer pro filmmakers but the actual racing rig is not for sale.
Q7: Is the movie 100% real racing?
Mostly! Brad Pitt and Damson Idris trained in F2 cars for real high speed scenes. No green screen driving for cockpit close-ups — it’s practical driving plus minimal VFX polish.
✅ Key Takeaway F1 The Movie is pushing the limits of on-track realism thanks to an innovative collaboration between Apple’s iPhone tech with “hacked iPhone camera”, Hollywood cinematography and real F1 racing conditions
