Damson Idris hints at F1 The Movie sequel after film changes his life

Damson Idris open to returning as Joshua Pearce

Damson Idris has revealed that conversations are taking place about the future of F1 The Movie, while making clear that any follow-up must continue to respect the sport and its fans.

Idris played Joshua Pearce, a young rookie who becomes Sonny Hayes’ team-mate and rival. Alongside Brad Pitt, who portrayed Hayes, the British actor learned to drive race cars and followed the fitness routines of current drivers to make the role more credible.

“There’s talks, there’s not much I can say but there’s exciting conversations that are happening,” he said. “The main goal is to make the sport and the fans proud. And I think the first movie did that.”

A film built for a broad audience

For Idris, the film’s appeal extended beyond established Formula 1 followers. He said people had watched it repeatedly and argued that its ability to bring different generations together was central to its success.

“The brilliance of F1 The Movie, I think, is it was, for the first time in a long time, it was a movie that you could take your whole family to,” he explained.

The actor also said he would return “100%, in a heartbeat” if a sequel were made. His motivation is straightforward: another opportunity to drive the cars and tackle the tracks, while improving on the pace he achieved during filming.

Idris joked that he would need to become quicker and suggested he might change his preparation, referencing espresso shots, banana peanut butter smoothies and the prospect of losing more weight.

“It really has changed my life”

Idris, who was appointed a Global Brand Ambassador for F1 earlier this year, said the project had transformed his professional outlook. He described the film as having propelled him beyond his work on Snowfall and said future roles would need to deliver a similar sense of learning a new trade or skill.

“It really has changed my life,” Idris said.

The full conversation is available through Beyond The Grid. Fans can also follow the championship’s next visit to Spa with this 2026 Belgian Grand Prix guide.