Hamilton proud of own film project: 'Everyone feels welcome'

While in Hollywood the actors went on strike, the filming of the film about F1 has continued in recent weeks. During the Grand Prix weekend, lead actors Brad Pitt and Damson Indris were present for their scenes, in Hungary, it was professional racing drivers who raced the APXGP cars around the track between F1 sessions. There was also filming in Belgium, although the modified F2 cars did not hit the track. Lewis Hamilton, one of the driving forces behind the future blockbuster, is obviously proud of how the project is developing.

The Briton is still by far the most popular driver on the grid (34.2 million followers on Instagram). The massive burst of joy in the Hungarian grandstands after Hamilton took pole there was renewed proof of that. For many around the world, the Mercedes driver is more than a sportsman. He is an icon. Someone who opened doors that previously remained closed, by proving that Formula 1 is also attainable for someone of colour. Hamilton was an inspiration, also for Hollywood.

As executive producer, Hamilton is closely involved in the film project, in which inclusion is a major theme. The result of the shoot should be viewable via Apple at some point. "I think it's been amazing so far," Hamilton, regarded by many as the best driver ever in Formula 1, told GPblog and others in the run-up to the Belgian Grand Prix. "I think everyone's felt incredibly welcome and there's a great vibe within the filming crew, with the actors and directors, everyone's just feeling a lot of love and feeling included which I think has been great."

Filming will also continue after the summer break, although the film crew will not be active at Zandvoort. "And there's just so many people that have worked so hard to make it possible, with great help of Stefano [Domenicali], for example. This has never happened in our sport before. It's huge. So, hats off to the sport and to those that are running, that are showing that we are progressive, we're moving forwards in a new way."

Shooting continues, although in Hollywood actors are thus on strike. There is simply little other choice: to film on Grand Prix weekends, Grands Prix are needed. Postponing the filming - also given the huge investments already made - is impossible. That said, Hamilton has a lot of sympathy for the strikers in the United States. "And fortunately for us, we're still able to do some of the filming with the stunt crew, but I don't think for anybody it has been helpful, but I stand with the actors. I know what they're fighting for and I hope they come to a resolution soon."