Damson Idris (F1) F1
Damson Idris plays Joshua Pearce, APXGP's ambitious young rookie who views Sonny Hayes's arrival as a threat before learning — through crashes, a poker game, and a season of shared risk — to race as a partner rather than a rival. Idris was cast in April 2023 and drove the modified F2 cars himself at real Grand Prix circuits.
Idris prepared by creating a fake character on the F1 game and naming him Joshua Pearce
Before he was cast, Idris immersed himself in Formula One through the video game, creating a character with his eventual role's name and winning the championship with it. The anecdote captures his approach: total commitment dressed in self-deprecation.
"I pathetically created a fake character on the F1 game and won the championship." — Damson Idris, The Hollywood Reporter (2025)
"I grew up playing football as well, so I know what it means to want to prove yourself in an athletic world." — Damson Idris, The Hollywood Reporter (2025)
Months of training culminated in taking Silverstone's Copse Corner flat out in front of Hamilton
Idris trained for four months alongside Pitt, starting in smaller cars at Willow Springs and progressing through Formula Three to the modified F2 machines. Stunt drivers Luciano Bacheta and Craig Dolby supervised the on-track work, while physical training focused on building the neck and core strength needed to handle sustained G-forces.
"Brad has a love for motorsport and motorbikes, but it's a new thing for Damson. For them to do what they did at those speeds was truly impressive." — Gary Powell, The Credits (2025)
Idris took Silverstone's Copse Corner flat out in front of seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton — one of the fastest corners on any F1 calendar, taken at roughly 180 mph. (formula1.com)
Idris spoke with Romain Grosjean to prepare for the Monza crash sequence
The film's most dangerous practical sequence — Joshua's fiery crash at Monza, filmed at Brands Hatch — required Idris to be inside the car during practical fire effects. He prepared by speaking with Grosjean, who survived his own horrific crash at the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix.
"Had an amazing intimate conversation with Grosjean who had been through a similar crash and he walked me through everything that was going in his mind when he was in a car during that moment." — Damson Idris, Motorsport.com (2025)
"Those were the biggest flames I've ever seen in my life. Brad and I were really in there." — Damson Idris, The Hollywood Reporter (2025)
Joshua Pearce's arc tracks from brand-conscious rookie to focused competitor
Joshua begins the film checking his phone and trusting his cousin Cash's advice about media engagement. By beat 28, he fires Cash and declares he does not care about followers — a direct echo of Sonny's philosophy. His refusal of Toto Wolff's Mercedes offer in beat 39 completes the arc: Joshua stays with the team that believed in him, choosing loyalty over prestige.
Idris won Best Supporting Actor from the African-American Film Critics Association for the role. (wikipedia)