In the high-octane world of Formula 1, Hollywood’s brightest stars are accelerating into the spotlight. On July 2, 2025, Keanu Reeves, the 60-year-old icon known for The Matrix and John Wick, announced his involvement in a new docuseries chronicling the Cadillac Formula 1 Team’s journey to the grid in 2026. The news positions Reeves as both producer and host, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of F1’s newest American team. The announcement comes on the heels of Brad Pitt’s F1, a sports drama that has roared to over $593.8 million at the global box office, making it Apple Studios’ biggest theatrical hit and Pitt’s highest-grossing film to date. As F1’s popularity surges in the U.S., fueled by Netflix’s Drive to Survive and high-profile celebrity involvement, Reeves’ docuseries promises to deepen the sport’s cultural impact. This article explores Reeves’ new venture, Pitt’s cinematic triumph, and how these Hollywood heavyweights are reshaping Formula 1’s narrative, drawing on their careers, the sport’s growing appeal, and the synergy between entertainment and motorsport.

Keanu Reeves’ F1 Passion Project

Keanu Reeves’ decision to helm a Cadillac F1 docuseries is a natural extension of his lifelong love for speed and storytelling. “I’m very honored and excited to be a part of telling the remarkable Cadillac Formula 1 Team story,” Reeves said in a statement on July 2, 2025. “Our goal is to bring audiences into the heart of this journey and showcase what it takes to participate in one of the most exclusive sports arenas in the world.” The series, set to air before Cadillac’s debut at the 2026 Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, will follow the team’s formation, from engineering breakthroughs to driver selection, offering a rare glimpse into the high-stakes world of F1.

Reeves, a known motorsport enthusiast, brings credibility to the project. His passion for two-wheeled machines is well-documented, from his co-founding of Arch Motorcycle Company to his iconic motorcycle scenes in John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum. In October 2024, he competed in the Toyota GR Cup North America at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, finishing 25th and 24th in two races despite a spin-out. “I’m not gonna sit in your car!” he jokingly told 2009 F1 champion Jenson Button when offered a chance to drive his championship-winning Brawn GP car. Reeves’ humility and hands-on approach make him an ideal narrator for Cadillac’s story, which he described as “a new team starting from the ground up.”

The docuseries reunites Reeves with Brawn: The Impossible Formula 1 Story showrunner Simon Hammerson, whose 2023 Disney+ series about Brawn GP’s improbable 2009 championship won an International Emmy. “We have an opportunity to welcome a new generation of fans to Formula 1, and Keanu’s creativity is the perfect spark,” Hammerson said. The series, produced by Dawn Apollo Films and slated for a streaming platform, aims to capture the grit and ambition of Cadillac’s entry, the first American team to join F1 in over a decade.

Brad Pitt’s F1: A Box Office Juggernaut

While Reeves gears up for his documentary, Brad Pitt’s F1 has taken theaters by storm. Released on June 27, 2025, the Joseph Kosinski-directed sports drama stars Pitt as Sonny Hayes, a retired Formula 1 driver returning to mentor a young prodigy, Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris), for the fictional APXGP team. With a $300 million budget, the film faced high expectations but delivered, grossing $183.5 million domestically and $410.3 million internationally for a worldwide total of $593.8 million by August 20, 2025. It surpassed Pitt’s previous high, World War Z ($540 million), becoming his biggest hit and Apple Studios’ first box office triumph.

F1’s success lies in its immersive execution, filmed during actual Grand Prix weekends in 2023 and 2024 with cooperation from the FIA. Custom cameras mounted on race cars captured visceral cockpit views, while Hans Zimmer’s score and Claudio Miranda’s cinematography created a strikingly authentic atmosphere. Critics praised its action, with an 83% score on Rotten Tomatoes and a 97% Popcornmeter rating from audiences. “Fueled by Brad Pitt’s effortless charisma, F1 is a velociously loud and exceedingly exciting motion picture,” the consensus read. However, some critics noted its focus on Pitt’s character over real F1 nuances.

The film’s cultural impact is undeniable. It featured cameos from real F1 drivers like Lewis Hamilton (a producer), Max Verstappen, and Fernando Alonso, boosting its authenticity. Its $144 million opening weekend set a record for Apple, outpacing Killers of the Flower Moon ($158.8 million) and Napoleon ($221.4 million). On X, fans raved, with posts like, “Brad Pitt’s F1 is a game-changer for motorsport movies!” and “The racing scenes are unreal!” The film’s success has fueled sequel talks, with Kosinski teasing a potential follow-up.

The F1 Boom in America

Reeves’ docuseries and Pitt’s F1 tap into a surging U.S. interest in Formula 1, driven by Netflix’s Drive to Survive. The docuseries, launched in 2019, has boosted F1’s American audience, with viewership for the Miami Grand Prix rising 48% from 2022 to 2025. The U.S. now hosts three F1 races—Miami, Austin, and Las Vegas—reflecting the sport’s growing footprint. “Formula 1 is making headway in the U.S. market,” a motorsport analyst noted, crediting F1 and Drive to Survive for broadening the fanbase.

Reeves’ project aligns with this trend, spotlighting Cadillac’s entry as a milestone for American motorsport. The team, backed by General Motors, aims to compete with giants like Ferrari and Red Bull, a journey Reeves called “incredible.” His involvement follows his 2023 Brawn docuseries, which captivated audiences with its underdog story. “Keanu’s a natural fit,” said F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali. “He brings passion and authenticity.” The docuseries is expected to explore the technical and human challenges of building an F1 team, appealing to both hardcore fans and newcomers drawn by F1’s success.

Pitt’s film, meanwhile, has capitalized on F1’s glamour, blending real-world racing with Hollywood flair. The film’s authenticity, achieved through filming at tracks like Silverstone and Monaco, resonated with fans, while Pitt’s preparation—training with Mercedes’ performance team—added credibility. “Brad was all in,” Hamilton said in a 2025 interview. “He wanted to feel what we feel.” The film’s box office dominance has spurred interest in motorsport films, with studios pitching projects about legends like Ayrton Senna and Juan Manuel Fangio.

Reeves’ Passion for Speed

Reeves’ involvement in the Cadillac docuseries is rooted in his lifelong love for speed. His passion began at 22, learning to ride a Kawasaki Enduro in Berlin for The Devil’s Own (1987). “It was freedom,” he said in a 2025 interview. “You’re present, and you disappear.” His Arch Motorcycle Company, co-founded with Gard Hollinger in 2011, produces bespoke bikes like the KRGT-1, priced at $85,000. Reeves’ hands-on role—testing designs and sketching concepts—reflects his commitment to craftsmanship, seen in his 2024 Toyota GR Cup race and his iconic John Wick motorcycle scenes.

His F1 docuseries extends this passion to four wheels. “Keanu’s not just a fan; he understands the mechanics and the soul of racing,” Hollinger said in 2025. Reeves’ appearance at the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, where he met drivers like Lando Norris, fueled excitement for his project. On X, fans posted, “Keanu in F1 is the crossover we didn’t know we needed!” His authentic enthusiasm positions the docuseries as a bridge between motorsport and mainstream audiences.

Pitt’s Commitment to F1

Brad Pitt’s F1 required a similar level of dedication. At 61, Pitt underwent months of physical training to portray Sonny Hayes, including simulator work at Mercedes’ Brackley facility. “I wanted to feel the G-forces, the adrenaline,” he said in a 2025 Collider interview. His commitment impressed drivers, with Verstappen noting, “Brad’s got the heart of a racer.” The film’s production, spanning 18 months across five continents, was a logistical feat, with 15 F1 teams allowing filming during live races.

The film’s success has elevated Pitt’s status as a producer, with his Plan B Entertainment securing a first-look deal with Apple. “F1 isn’t just a movie—it’s a love letter to the sport,” Kosinski said. Its box office haul, surpassing Barbie’s $81 million domestic opening, underscores its appeal. Fans on Reddit’s r/Formula1 praised its realism, with one user writing, “Pitt’s F1 makes you feel like you’re in the cockpit.”

The Cultural Impact

The synergy between Reeves’ docuseries and Pitt’s F1 reflects F1’s growing cultural footprint. The sport’s U.S. fanbase, now 10 million strong per a 2025 Nielsen report, has been fueled by celebrity involvement and media like Drive to Survive. Reeves’ project promises to humanize the sport, focusing on Cadillac’s engineers, mechanics, and drivers. “It’s about the people behind the cars,” Reeves said. Meanwhile, F1’s cinematic spectacle has drawn casual viewers, with ticket sales spiking for the 2025 U.S. Grand Prix post-release.

Both projects face challenges. Reeves’ docuseries must compete with Drive to Survive’s dominance, while F1’s high budget raised questions about profitability. Yet, their impact is undeniable. “Keanu and Brad are bringing F1 to a new audience,” Domenicali said. On X, #F1Fever trended, with fans posting, “Keanu’s doc and Pitt’s movie are making 2025 the year of F1!”

Looking Ahead

As Reeves prepares for John Wick 5 and Pitt eyes a potential F1 sequel, their projects signal a new era for motorsport storytelling. Reeves’ docuseries, set to film in 2026, could feature drivers like Cadillac’s rumored recruit, Theo Pourchaire, while Pitt’s team is exploring stories about F1’s historic rivalries. “We’re just getting started,” Kosinski said. Together, Reeves and Pitt are not just riding the F1 wave—they’re steering it, proving that Hollywood and horsepower are a winning combination.