The 2023 Formula 1 season has bared witness to arguably one of the most unexpected partnerships in history—Lewis Hamilton working alongside Sonny Hayes. Who is Sonny Hayes, you ask? He’s one of the drivers for APXGP. Hayes and APXGP might sound foreign to some, and that would be totally alright because they’re a fictitious driver-team pairing, part of Brad Pitt’s F1-inspired film, Apex. But Hayes (played by Pitt) and Hamilton’s partnership is anything but because Hamilton is the producer for the Apple TV film.

The film commenced shooting at the British GP in Silverstone, where APXGP got track time in its F2-turned-F1 car and a garage of its own. And it looked like the crew followed F1 to Budapest for the Hungarian GP as well. And instead of excitement, Pitt and his fellow actors have allegedly been betraying Hollywood’s SAG-AFTRA strike and favoring Apex’s filming. The strike, which started in May 2023, involves actors and writers part of the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, alongside the Writers Guild of America, demanding higher wages and job security. 

Guild members (including Pitt) on strike are banned from working for prosecutions affiliated with the American Motion Picture and Television Producers until negotiations occur and both parties reach a consensus. Considering the strike is ongoing, seeing APXGP on track in Hungary raised questions about Pitt’s character. But an interview with Top Gun: Maverick director Joseph Kosinski—who is also directing Apex—cleared everything up.

During his customary grid walk before every race, Martin Brundle interviewed Kosinski and asked him if the ongoing strike was impacting the film. Kosinski replied, “It certainly hurts, you know. Fortunately, we’re working without our SAG actors right now, we’re getting this race which is exciting. We wish they all get back and negotiate. We want them back. We love them, but we understand that they have issues, and we support them.”

The actors driving the APXGP cars were supposedly stunt doubles, and Brad Pitt and his co-star, Damson Idris, are indeed still on strike. Brundle has become a vital part of Apex’s narrative as perceived by F1 fans, and due to Brad Pitt’s past crimes, Brundle has gotten himself a role in the film!

Read More: Brad Pitt’s Loyalty Serves Brutal Blow to Lewis Hamilton’s $140,000,000 Venture as Threat of Postponement Becomes a Reality

Brad Pitt reconciles with Martin Brundle

Brad Pitt announced his film right before the 2022 US GP. So when he made an appearance during the race, Brundle approached him during his grid walk to discuss the movie. Instead of obliging, Pitt kept walking, denying Brundle’s request. So when he returned to the F1 paddock for the 2023 British GP, Pitt offered Brundle the opportunity of a lifetime!

The Sky Sports presenter finally got his interview with Pitt in Silverstone. And during the special show, Brundle asked him about the movie’s plot. While Pitt didn’t give away too much, he did say something that sparked Brundle’s interest. He said, “I would be a guy who raced in the 90s…in fact I would’ve been on the track with you at some point. So you’ve got to do a cameo!”

Are you excited to watch Apex when it hits the screens?

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