Kuumar Shyam (Abu Dhabi)
Formula 1 has officially announced the appointment of actor Damson Idris as its Global Brand Ambassador, marking a formal expansion of the relationship between the Hollywood star and the world’s premier motorsport category.
The announcement follows the launch of the “All To Drive For” campaign and Idris’ starring role alongside Brad Pitt in “F1: The Movie”, a cinematic production that achieved unprecedented commercial success, grossing more than $630 million to become the highest-earning sports film in history.
A significant portion of the film’s high-octane sequences and pivotal narrative moments were captured at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, a venue that has become synonymous with the climax of the Formula 1 season.
During extensive filming in the UAE capital, the production utilised the city’s sophisticated infrastructure and the iconic architectural backdrop of the Yas Island precinct, further cementing Abu Dhabi’s reputation as a world-class hub for major international film commissions and elite sporting events.
The project was made possible through the close collaboration of the Creative Media Authority (CMA), Abu Dhabi Film Commission (ADFC), and local production partner Epic Films. More than 280 local crew members supported the shoot, alongside 15 UAE-based interns, who were embedded within the international production team to gain hands-on experience.
Idris, who portrayed rising driver Joshua Pearce in the film, spent considerable time in the emirate, where the fictional APXGP team was integrated into the authentic atmosphere of the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
The new partnership aims to leverage Idris’ cultural influence and storytelling capabilities to bridge the gap between global entertainment and motorsport. Having trained rigorously for his on-screen role, Idris has transitioned from a leading man to a genuine fixture of the paddock, frequently appearing at race weekends to engage with teams and fans.
Idris also expressed his pride in the appointment. “I’ve always been drawn to spaces where culture, performance, and precision meet, and Formula 1 sits right at the centre of that,” he said.
“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.”
His role as ambassador will see him attend various Grands Prix and support F1 through diverse content and promotional activities designed to reach a younger, broader demographic.
Welcoming Idris to the F1 fold officially, Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1, said: “In Formula 1, we are all about authenticity and Damson is passionate about the sport and shares our vision to grow it, so it’s fantastic that we’ll continue to work with him. With his incredible platform and position in the entertainment and lifestyle space, together we will push the boundaries of how we reach fans.”
The actor joins the Formula 1 family at a period of rapid global expansion. The sport boasts a fan base exceeding 827 million people, with demographic shifts showing that 43% of fans are under the age of 35 and 42% are female, reflecting a successful drive to diversify and modernise the sport’s international appeal.