How ‘F1 The Movie’ is influencing fan fashion at Grands Prix

Released in June 2025, F1 The Movie stars Brad Pitt and Damson Idris as APXGP drivers and brings Hollywood glamour to the Formula 1 paddock. Filmed at actual Grand Prix events with appearances by F1’s biggest stars, it effectively merges reality with fiction – and its influence on fan fashion has been undeniable.

Before the movie, fan style at Grand Prix events primarily centred on team merchandise, such as replica jerseys and hats. Since the film’s debut, a collaboration between Hollywood and Formula 1 has shaped global fan culture – especially in how trackside fashion now highlights the intersection of film, sport, and style. The shift is clear: fans wear more diverse and expressive wardrobes than ever before.

This influence has fuelled the “fashiontainment” experience, as F1 The Movie infuses motorsport fashion culture with iconic collaborations, Hollywood moments, and the rise of motorcore – all shaping what fans wear on and off the track.

Tommy Hilfiger x APXGP

The high fashion brand entered Formula 1 by dressing Lotus and Ferrari in the 1990s before, in 2018, partnering with Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes to create special capsule collections with the seven-time World Champion. Tommy Hilfiger’s presence in F1 The Movie felt inevitable.

The American brand took a “go big or go home” approach and not only designed the actual team kit that the fictional APXGP used in the film, but also went a step further, launching it as a limited-edition item for Formula 1 fans. Released on 3 June, the capsule pieces are available on both the brand’s website and the F1 Store, offering a perfect blend of Hilfiger’s American style with bold motorsport elements – setting the stage for one of the latest and most influential fashion trends: motorcore dressing.

Fans now wear APXGP merchandise both at and away from the track, treating APXGP as the current “11th team”, showcasing the film’s influence on fashion.

Damson Idris and his character Joshua Pierce, the face of the Tommy Hilfiger campaign, bring cinematic flair to the collection. Quilted jackets, mechanic shirts, and polos now serve as the perfect stylish alternative to team kits and merchandise.

Star Power: Brad Pitt & Damson Idris as style icons

One of the film’s strongest fashion signals comes from the simplest costume. Brad Pitt, a self-declared fashion enthusiast, wanted his character’s style to matter. He crafted subtle ambiguity – was he Sonny Hayes or Brad Pitt in the paddock during filming?

As declared by GQ, we later realised that it was all part of the character’s wardrobe, with the pieces chosen by Julian Day, the costume designer, along with Pitt himself. With clothes that looked both authentic and comfortable, one garment in particular caught the attention of fans: a Sunspel sweatshirt. The demand was so high that the brand decided to create a relaunch of the exact one worn by Pitt in the film, featuring a thyme green and pale pink colour scheme, with fans not only wanting to wear branded gear but also a personal piece of clothing that speaks to Sonny Hayes’ personal style.

While Brad Pitt brought grunge star power, Damson Idris brought next-generation cool and aspirational style for younger fans. The actor played a key role in influencing the film’s style.

Damson Idris wore the APXGP collection, turning it into a collector’s item for fans. But even more so, he embraced the movie’s fashion in real life. At the 2025 Met Gala, themed “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” and co-chaired by Lewis Hamilton (also co-producer of F1 The Movie), Idris arrived driving an F1 car in a custom Tommy Hilfiger racing suit. He then dramatically revealed a red custom tuxedo on the red carpet – establishing himself as a fashion risk-taker and a new icon for F1 culture.

Motorcore: The Bigger Trend Context

From Labubu to Balletcore, today’s fashion is dictated by the cultural conversations. A fashion “core” refers to a specific fashion trend or aesthetic, centred around a particular visual style and lifestyle, accompanied also by the attitude of that specific niche. The influence of Formula 1 and F1 The Movie extends beyond official merchandise, tapping into a broader “motorcore” fashion momentum – a trend that mirrors how drivers have become fashion icons as well.

Leather motor jackets, leather trousers, chunky boots, and sneakers like the Puma Speedcats are key elements of the trend, along with visual cues such as sponsor logos and racing stripes. Additionally, the aesthetic is making waves in everyday streetwear, having been embraced by influencers and fashion enthusiasts – making it a relevant and relatable trend for the broader fashion scene.

Motorcore has a strong presence at racing events (especially in places like Monaco or Las Vegas), but has also taken to the streets of fashion capitals and even the runways in Milan and Copenhagen. It is also being applied in music, through stars like Rosalía, Dua Lipa, Rosé or Tate McRae who have all leaned into racing-inspired aesthetics – further amplifying the cultural crossover.

The Tommy Hilfiger APXGP capsule collection is a prime example, offering subtle yet instantly recognisable style for daily wear. On the runways, from Ferrari Style to Diesel, Vetements, Balenciaga, Alaïa, and Jil Sander, designers have debuted racer jackets and leather pieces in their collections.

The result is a more diverse fan fashion landscape during Grand Prix weekends. Not everyone chooses the same team merchandise; instead, fans style it their way, mixing it with streetwear or APXGP pieces to express their identity and passion – making Sundays as much a fashion moment as a racing spectacle.

The movie has sparked fashion evolution inside and outside the sport, and with Cadillac entering in 2026, Tommy Hilfiger will continue the narrative from the F1 movie as the official apparel and lifestyle sponsor of a real F1 team.

Where once the grandstands were dominated by replica team kits, now they are a place of fashion identity for the fandom. From the ones who wear traditional outfits to others who treat the paddock like a runway – together with the sport, they have created a richer and more diverse style culture, where the line between fashion and Formula 1 will continue to blur further.