If you are a new Formula 1 fan and had bought your tickets for F1 The Movie hoping to see Bridgerton alum Simone Ashley on the big screen, you might be slightly disappointed. It's confirmed that her role has been more than significantly reduced in the final cut of the long-anticipated sports film.
F1 The Movie, which hits US theaters on June 27, 2025, follows the story of retired F1 phenom Sonny Hayes (Brad Pitt), who returns to the tracks alongside hotshot rookie Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris), his teammate who also becomes his “fiercest competition.”
F1 The Movie has been a long time coming, with the project first being reported as in the works in 2022. Simone Ashley was supposed to be among its star-studded cast; however, her supporting role has been turned into a cameo, and the movie's director, Joseph Kosinski, is finally opening up about the decision.
Below, we break down all the discourse surrounding Simone Ashley's reduced role in F1 The Movie, from the director's comment to what fans and Ashley herself are saying.
- When did Simone Ashley first join F1 The Movie?
- Why was Simone Ashley's role cut from F1 The Movie?
- Did Simone Ashley know her role in F1 The Movie was being cut?
- Why are people upset that Simone Ashley's role got cut in the F1 The Movie?
- Has Simone Ashley said anything about her reduced role in F1 The Movie?
When did Simone Ashley first join F1 The Movie?
Simone Ashley's involvement in F1 The Movie was first announced in July 2024, with Variety breaking the news. Though nothing was then announced about her role, it was reported that Ashley had already been filming scenes with Idris at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone Circuit in Northampton, England. The movie, which features real-life Formula 1 stars, was famously filmed as the actual circuits were taking place every weekend.
The star later revealed that, after some delays because of the strikes, the project had finished filming in December 2024 in a cover story with Who What Wear. “Obviously, with the strikes and delays, we finally wrapped in Abu Dhabi in December,” she said. “It’s been a long time, and you know, it’s Damson and Brad’s movie. I’m just so grateful that I can be part of it, and yeah, we’ve toured with the Grand Prix. We were filming at the real races.”
Why was Simone Ashley's role cut from F1 The Movie?
It wasn't until the F1 The Movie started screening early for reviews that chatter about Simone Ashley's role being significantly cut started, with the star's involvement now being described as a "seconds-long cameo with no dialogue.”
F1 The Movie director Joseph Kosinski, best known for his work on Top Gun: Maverick, was asked about the decision to cut Ashley from the final version of the film at the world premiere, which was held in New York on June 16, 2025. (Ashley was notably absent from the event.)
Speaking to People, Kosinski confirmed that though she had filmed more, the storyline for Ashley's character had been ultimately cut from the film.
“It happens on every film, where you have to shoot more than you can use,” the director explained. “There were two or three storylines that ultimately didn't make [it] into the final cut,” he added. Despite the decision to reduce her role to a non-speaking cameo, Kosinski praised Ashley at the premiere. "She's an incredible talent, incredible actress, incredible singer, and I would love to work with her again," he said.
Did Simone Ashley know her role in F1 The Movie was being cut?
Speaking to Entertainment Tonight at the New York premiere, Konsiki also admitted he called Ashley himself in advance to inform her that her storyline was cut. Konsiki also confirmed her storyline was linked to Idris's. He added that the edits to cut the film down to the right size are “brutal.”
Why are people upset that Simone Ashley's role got cut in the F1 The Movie?
Since Simone Ashley is a real F1 fan in real life and has a big following, fans were particularly excited about her involvement in the film, leading to inevitable disappointment after news that her role was just a cameo broke. The star was often spotted at Grand Prix around the world, before being cast and after the movie's reported wrap. She also excitedly posted about her involvement on social media.
The news is also fueling conversations about using POC actors with massive followings solely for marketing and anticipation buildup. “Manny Jacinto’s lines cut from Top Gun. Simone Ashley reduced to a cameo in F1. Tracy Ifeachor and the other actresses of color left off The Pitt’s Variety cover. There’s a pattern in Hollywood of casting actors of color, only to minimize, sideline or exclude their presence,” someone wrote on X.
Has Simone Ashley said anything about her reduced role in F1 The Movie?
Though Simone Ashley has not spoken about the discourse surrounding her role since Kosinski confirmed it was cut, she did tease in a June 2025 interview with Elle that her role was small.
"I have a very small part, but I’m grateful to be in that movie," she said about her involvement in the project. “I got to experience many Grand Prix. I don’t think I’ll ever do anything like that again.”
