Formula 1’s influence beyond the track has skyrocketed in the past few years, with growing fascination from a new generation of fans, arguably thanks to Netflix’s access-all-areas series Drive to Survive and the sport’s expansion into fashion and film. This is epitomised by the upcoming blockbuster F1: The Movie, starring Brad Pitt, Damson Idris and Javier Bardem – one of the year’s most highly anticipated cinematic releases, the Joseph Kosinski-directed blockbuster hits screens later this month.

To coincide with the launch, the movie’s lifestyle sponsor Tommy Hilfiger is releasing a limited edition capsule collection with a campaign fronted by Damson Idris: on-screen, the British actor takes on the role of Joshua Pearce, a hotshot newcomer of the fictional APXGP team who is mentored by Brad Pitt’s veteran racer, Sonny Hayes. As a lifelong fan of Formula 1, Hilfiger’s ties to the sport run deep, taking inspiration from the driver’s paddock style over the decades to build a collection centred around mechanic shirts, tailored Japanese denim jeans and leather moto jackets emblazoned with the team’s APXGP logo.

In the exclusive conversation below, Idris and Hilfiger share their respective thoughts on Formula 1’s ties to fashion, the inspiration behind the collection and what we can expect from F1: The Movie.

Tommy, what’s your connection to Formula 1 and why is working with F1® The Movie so meaningful to you?
Tommy Hilfiger: Sport and entertainment have fueled our brand since the very beginning. I grew up obsessed with racing, peaking through the fence at Watkins Glen racetrack to experience the speed and excitement firsthand. Over the years, our brand has built a rich legacy in motorsport, including the sponsorship of Team Lotus, Ferrari and Mercedes-AMG F1™, along with a four-season runway partnership with driver Lewis Hamilton. Joining the ride of F1: The Movie – and sponsoring the fictional APXGP team – is a natural extension of our longstanding passion that brings together our love of speed, style and storytelling.

Why did sponsoring F1: The Movie and working with Damson Idris feel like a natural fit for the brand?
TH: Motorsport has transcended the racetrack – it’s become a cultural force. F1: The Movie captures this shift, setting a new benchmark in what we call ‘fashiontainment’ and accelerating the momentum, fusing fashion with sport. On top of that, it’s so exciting to be on this journey with our Brand Ambassador and one of the film’s leading actors, Damson Idris. I truly believe he’s on his way to becoming one of the biggest stars in the world, and this role is going to launch him into a whole new stratosphere. It’s a major moment for him, the sport, and culture – and I can’t wait to see it all come to life on screen.
Damson Idris: Tommy Hilfiger’s history with racing runs deep, and F1: The Movie is the ultimate platform to celebrate this legacy. Getting to embody that spirit – both through the film and as the brand’s Menswear Ambassador – feels like the perfect collision of worlds.

“Tommy Hilfiger’s history with racing runs deep, and F1® The Movie is the ultimate platform to celebrate this legacy.” – DI

What makes The APXGP Collection unique and how did racing culture influence the designs?
DI: This collection captures the adrenaline of the racetrack and reinterprets it with Tommy Hilfiger’s iconic style. He’s taken quintessential pieces from the driving lifestyle – moto jackets and mechanic shirts – and put his own iconic twist on them, capturing the powerful and high-octane spirit of the track in a way that’s authentic and true to Tommy.
TH: I’ve always been inspired by the energy of motorsports – the thrill of the race, the inescapable cool of the uniforms and the classic iconography of the sponsor’s graphics. For this collection, we channelled that spirit and reimagined it through a modern, cinematic lens. Our goal was to fuse the innovation, precision and adrenaline of Formula 1 with our bold, vibrant and confident DNA. Every piece is designed to make a statement, creating a sophisticated take on trackside style.

Damson, how does starring in F1: The Movie and partnering with Tommy Hilfiger align with your personal style and journey?
DI: Working with Tommy Hilfiger has felt like a natural extension of playing a racecar driver in the film. The APXGP Collection fully embodies the fearless mindset of athletes who have a bold, confident attitude and bring a sense of swagger to the game. On and off screen, I find it both empowering and inspiring to embrace the Tommy spirit.

“I’ve always been inspired by the energy of motorsports – the thrill of the race, the inescapable cool of the uniforms and the classic iconography of the sponsor’s graphics.” – TH

What are your personal standout pieces from The APXGP Collection, and what makes them special to you?
TH: With this collection, we wanted to celebrate the spirit of Formula 1: bold,
sharp and built for movement. I love the varsity-meets-moto jacket in vegan leather, which fuses racing influences with classic American prep. It’s instantly iconic – a bridge between the world of cinema and fashion.
DI: The red quilted jacket is very personal to me – it’s modelled after the piece
worn by my character in the film, Joshua Pearce. Putting it on instantly puts me in his
mindset. I also love the tailored Japanese denim jeans. They’re sleek but still easy to move in, which feels true to track life and my own personal style off-camera.

Damson, can you take us through some other pieces you keep coming back to? How do you style them for everyday?
Damson Idris: I’m into the all-white polo with the team graphics – it’s clean, but still has that attitude, and feels like everyday luxury with a sporty twist. You can pair it with the underlayer shirt for a crisp, layered finish, then add the red cap to give it just the right pop.

Shop the collection here.