Tom Cruise may be recognized by motorsport followers for portraying a racing driver in Days of Thunder, however do you know that he really obtained behind the wheel of a Method 1 automobile again in 2011? Forward of the discharge of his newest film Digger, right here’s the story of that day, and the way the Hollywood hero fell in love with Method 1.
Cruise has all the time proven an important curiosity on the planet of motor racing. In the course of the late Eighties, the Hollywood hero really gave skilled racing a attempt due to his The Color of Cash co-star Paul Newman.
Cruise raced for the Newman/Sharp Racing crew in sports activities vehicles, however rapidly gained a status for his aggressive driving model and shortly hung up his racing helmet. That didn’t cease him from having fun with racing by way of his films, although, in addition to maintaining tabs on championships throughout each two and 4 wheels.
When Tom Cruise drove an F1 automobile
Cruise is not any stranger to large stunts, quick machines and adrenaline rushes, however 15 years in the past Pink Bull Racing handed him the metaphorical keys to one in every of their Method 1 vehicles.
Forward of the inaugural United States Grand Prix on the Circuit of The Americas, Cruise had the prospect to check one in every of their vehicles in a break from post-production of one in every of his Mission Unimaginable films – displaying his want for velocity prolonged effectively past the massive display.
David Coulthard was readily available to supply recommendation, as a former Pink Bull F1 driver and 13-time Grand Prix winner, with a 12-person crew from the crew setting the automobile up accurately for Cruise and getting him prepared for making historical past.
Happening on the Willow Springs Worldwide Raceway in Southern California, Cruise and Coulthard did a number of passenger laps to familiarise themselves with the 4km circuit, earlier than the film star obtained suited up and able to attempt it for himself within the 850-horsepower machine.
Cruise was immediately at house within the F1 automobile – regardless of by no means driving one thing prefer it earlier than. The Golden Globe-winning actor banked 24 laps earlier than coming into the pits to check notes and telemetry, which resulted in him in the end shaving 11 seconds off from his first to his final lap time.
There have been a number of off-track moments, however Cruise managed to maintain the automobile working and convey it again to the pits. When he wasn’t on observe, he was within the air with the Pink Bull helicopter stunt crew performing loops and daring manoeuvres.
Attending the F1 The Film Premiere
It’s well-known that Cruise helps the movie business. From taking images at his native cinema watching the most recent blockbuster or collaborating on films by way of his manufacturing firm, the person simply loves movement photos.
In the course of the 2025 press tour for F1 The Film, Cruise was pictured together with his former Interview with the Vampire co-star Brad Pitt on the purple carpet on the European premiere. F1 The Film director Joseph Kosinski has beforehand labored intently with Cruise on flicks like Oblivion and Prime Gun: Maverick.
Having proven his help on the purple carpet, Cruise later took to Instagram to reward these behind F1’s movie debut, sharing a photograph from the premiere with the caption: “Nice evening on the films with my buddies!! You guys crushed it!!”
Exhibiting his help at Silverstone
Whether or not you understand him as Tom Cruise, Ethan Hunt or “Maverick”, this Hollywood motion hero has made a number of appearances at Method 1 occasions over the seasons.
One in all his most notable visits got here on the weekend of his sixtieth birthday, when Cruise was papped underneath the 2022 British Grand Prix podium with Anthony Hamilton and Antonio Perez – fathers of Lewis and Sergio.
Cruise additionally pictured alongside Sir Jackie Stewart, standing subsequent to Mercedes boss Toto Wolff within the storage mid-session, and even down for a chat on Martin Brundle’s grid stroll. Cruise additionally frolicked with Hamilton’s brother Nicolas forward of the race – and was later snapped with Lewis himself after the race in a present of help.
Cruise had additionally been noticed on the 2021 British Grand Prix, in addition to that yr’s Goodwood Pageant of Pace, the place he chatted with 1978 Method 1 World Champion and American racing legend Mario Andretti.
And Cruise was again at an F1 occasion when he visited the 2023 Miami Grand Prix – this time accompanied by Shakira. He even helped the Mercedes crew with some pit cease apply!
As Digger lands in cinemas, it is truthful to say Cruise has already created loads of Method 1 recollections of his personal. From life within the cockpit to behind-the-scenes entry within the paddock, the star has spent greater than a decade digging deeper into F1, and his ardour for the game stays clear to see.
