Seven-time F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton smiled in Baku on Friday not because of the magical upgrades Mercedes made to his uncertain car ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix this weekend, but because of his off-track performance.

“Sir” Hamilton has confirmed that he is directly involved in the new film starring Brad Pitt, calling his collaboration with the two-time Academy Award winner “extremely exciting.”

He spoke of a “great honor” when he learned “yesterday, like everyone else” that he had been granted honorary Brazilian citizenship.

The Mercedes driver, who was unlucky this year due to issues with his crew, said he should be careful not to reveal too many details about the as-yet-unnamed film project acquired by Apple’s streaming service.

Variety is reporting this week that the plot centers on a retired F1 driver who decides to return to the tracks, played by Brad Pitt.

“I don’t plan to run it,” Hamilton confirmed at a press conference ahead of testing later on Friday in preparation for the eighth round of the World Championship on Sunday.

“It was a long wait. I’ve been working on the script and it’s fun and it’s great to spend time with Brad.”

The 103 race winner acknowledged that previous F1 movies often didn’t do justice to motorsport as “you look at it and you can’t tell it’s amazing. We want to show how amazing this sport is and keep its true heritage alive.” .

The heritage, culture and diversity of Brazil were also at the center of his thoughts after he became an honorary citizen of a country to which he had a deep affection.

“It’s surreal and it’s a huge honor for me,” he said. “I was surprised, like everyone else, to hear yesterday” and “Brazil has always been a place that I loved as a child. to the country”.

“I won my first Formula 1 championship in Brazil and had a great race last year,” he added.

As for the upcoming Sunday in Baku, Hamilton was skeptical when told that some thought the Mercedes would be more competitive: “Where does that feeling come from?” Hamilton asked.