Horner rejects Red Bull 'villian' fear in Brad Pitt film

Christian Horner has rejected the idea Red Bull feared being portrayed as "villains" in the Brad Pitt F1 film due to be released this year.

The film, titled F1, is being produced by acclaimed seven-time Oscar winner Jerry Bruckheimer, with Top Gun: Maverick director Joseph Kosinski taking the same role, with Lewis Hamilton also acting as a producer.

Last year, Bruckheimer revealed that Red Bull had initially feared being cast as the "villains" in the film which centres on a retired racer Sonny Hayes, played by Pitt, coming out of retirement to help guide Joshua Pearce, played by Damson Idris for the fictional APX Grand Prix team. 

When asked about the 'villian' claim, Horner explained Red Bull's thought process.

"I don't think there was any paranoia about that," Horner told select media including RacingNews365. 

"We just wanted to voice early on what the perception of the players was going to be."

When then asked if he had had to do any acting for the film, Horner dryly added that "there is enough of that in Formula 1 as it is."

The Red Bull boss also praised the impact the film could have on F1 as a whole, believing the fil crew had captured "amazing content."

"The movie is going to be really interesting, it is going to out F1 on the big screen and Jerry Bruckheimer and his team have captured some amazing content," he added.

"They've interwoven it within F1, so imagine the benefit for all of our partners, for the F1 brand, being front and central in cinemas and houses around the world. 

"It is another massive step for Formula 1, and I'm sure they'll do the sport justice in the way that they present it."