From the Silver Screen to the Paddock: Damson Idris Named Formula 1’s New Global Brand Ambassador
If you thought Damson Idris looked perfectly at home in the paddock during F1 The Movie, it turns out Formula 1 executives thought so, too. F1 has officially tapped the acclaimed actor as its newest Global Brand Ambassador.
The announcement feels like a very natural next step for Idris. Fans recently watched him star alongside Brad Pitt as Joshua Pearce, a rising driver in a fictional team, in F1 The Movie. The blockbuster was a massive commercial success, raking in over $630 million at the box office and officially cementing itself as the most successful sports movie of all time.
Producer Jerry Bruckheimer recently confirmed that a sequel is officially in the works. Speaking to the BBC at an Academy Awards luncheon in Los Angeles, Bruckheimer revealed that Apple Original Films is gearing up to get back on the track. While plot details are still under wraps, both Pitt and Idris are fully expected to reprise their roles, meaning Idris’s new real-life gig as an F1 ambassador will perfectly coincide with his return to the fictional APXGP team.
Idris’s time on set wasn’t just movie magic. Because the film was shot at live Grands Prix with the full collaboration of Formula 1, Idris found himself standing shoulder-to-shoulder with real teams, drivers, and race operations. That immersive, high-stakes environment turned the leading man into a genuine, passionate advocate for the sport.
“I’ve always been drawn to spaces where culture, performance, and precision meet, and Formula 1 sits right at the centre of that,” Idris shared in the official announcement. “I had an enormous amount of respect for it before making the film, but getting closer to it gave me a real understanding of the innovation, the heart, and the intensity behind everything, and the elite level the drivers operate at.”
In his new role, Idris will serve as a cultural bridge between the technical world of Formula 1 and the broader global entertainment landscape. Building on his recent appearance in F1’s All To Drive For campaign, fans can expect to see him attending several Grands Prix this season, as well as collaborating on various content, partner, and promotional activities.
For Formula 1, bringing Idris formally into the fold is a highly strategic move. The sport is currently experiencing an unprecedented era of growth, boasting a massive global fanbase of over 827 million people. Notably, the demographic of that fanbase is shifting fast—43% of F1 fans are now under the age of 35, and 42% are female.
Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1, noted that Idris is exactly the kind of authentic voice the sport needs to continue this momentum. “In Formula 1, we are all about authenticity and Damson is passionate about the sport and shares our vision to grow it,” Domenicali said. “With his incredible platform and position in the entertainment and lifestyle space, together we will push the boundaries of how we reach fans.”
It’s clear that Idris is ready to hit the ground running. As he put it: “Being part of this world now means a lot to me, and I’m proud to represent something that inspires and connects people all over the world.”
Photo Credit: F1 Website
