After ‘F1: The Movie,’ Damson Idris Gets Green Light to Join Formula 1 as Global Brand Ambassador

Damson Idris has gotten a green light to expand his relationship with Formula 1.

The actor, who starred opposite Brad Pitt in the blockbuster best picture Oscar nominee F1: The Movie, has officially joined the F1 family as a global brand ambassador. In the role, Idris will “act as a bridge between the world of Formula 1 and the wider cultural and entertainment landscape,” per F1. In doing so, he’ll attend several grand prix races and support the league with content, partner and promotional activities.

“I’ve always been drawn to spaces where culture, performance and precision meet, and Formula 1 sits right at the center of that,” said Idris in a statement. “I had an enormous amount of respect for it before making the film, but getting closer to it gave me a real understanding of the innovation, the heart and the intensity behind everything, and the elite level the drivers operate at. I’m genuinely excited to step into this role as a global ambassador. Being part of this world now means a lot to me and I’m proud to represent something that inspires and connects people all over the world.”

F1 boss Stefano Domenicali, who serves as president and CEO, said his team is delighted to adopt Idris into the family. “In Formula 1, we are all about authenticity and Damson is passionate about the sport and shares our vision to grow it, so it’s fantastic that we’ll continue to work with him. With his incredible platform and position in the entertainment and lifestyle space, together we will push the boundaries of how we reach fans.”

The global ambassadorship is an expansion but also an extension of a relationship Idris already enjoys with F1. After having trained extensively for his role in the film — the Joseph Kosinski-directed film casts Idris as a young F1 driver Joshua Pearce opposite Pitt’s Sonny Hayes — Idris kept the relationship going and has had a presence on race weekends. He also pumped the film in a glamorous way courtesy of his F1-inspired ensemble that he wore to the Met Gala last year.

The partnership comes at a newsy time for F1 and the film’s home at Apple TV. On the heels of F1: The Movie becoming the highest-grossing sports movie of all time, Pitt’s highest-grossing movie of all time and Apple’s biggest earner, too, with north of $600 million, Apple TV is about to become the exclusive U.S. broadcast home for F1 races. That news was touted during Apple TV’s recent press day in Santa Monica, where Domenicali joined Apple’s Eddy Cue to discuss the collaboration.

Understandably, Cue fielded a question from the seated press about the possibility of a sequel. “I got one last question that they asked,” Cue said, holding an iPad that fielded all press questions. “It’s my favorite question of all, and it’s kind of a boomerang because both of us will answer: Is there going to be another Formula 1 movie given the success and how great the first movie was.”

“Stay tuned,” Domenicali teased. “We’re going to tell you something more in the future. Never say never. But we need to digest more the success of this movie because it was something unique. And if you want to think of a new one, it has to be really, very, very good. Therefore, if this will happen, it will not be for next year. But maybe next year we’re going to be here [at the press day], and hopefully we have something more to announce [then].”

Cue then said, “I’ve got a great announcement for it. We’ve got 24 F1 movies this year on Apple TV,” he said, referencing the number of F1 races in the upcoming season. “I don’t know the ending, and so it is the best unscripted drama that there could be in the world.”

As for Idris, he recently wrapped production on Children of Blood and Bone for Paramount and director Gina Prince-Bythewood. The film is due for release in January 2027. He’ll step into the shoes of Miles Davis for Bill Pohlad’s Miles & Juliette about the romance between the iconic trumpeter and Juliette Gréco, who will be played by Anamaria Vartolomei.