In the glittering, high-octane world of Formula 1, a realm dominated by roaring engines and the thunderous applause of crowds, actress Kerry Condon emerges as a quiet force in the new blockbuster from Apple Original Films in theaters June 27th, featuring Brad Pitt and Javier Bardem. With a poised determination, Condon’s character in the film, Kate, deftly navigates through the male-driven industry, not just surviving but thriving amid a sea of high-powered egos and relentless competition.
The Irish-born actress’s path to her role in this adrenaline-fueled saga is marked by a powerful blend of talent and personal connection with the character she portrays. Growing up as a horseback rider and later exposed to the world of horse racing, Condon developed an understanding of the dynamics within competitive environments similar to F1. “There’s a discipline, and there’s also a bravery. And, there are a lot of similarities to Formula 1,” Condon reflects on her equestrian past. Her childhood experiences, riding horses and spending time in her father’s garage, have not only given her resilience but a tangible link to the intricacies of racing, be it on horseback or in a high-speed car. “The microcosm of the horse racing world is very similar to the microcosm of the Formula 1 world, where everyone knows each other,” she explains.
LOEWE top and pants; Valentino shoes; Fernando Jorge earrings and ring; Cartier bracelet.
Condon’s character breaks through the boys club of F1 with a mix of tenacity and authenticity, elements that the actress brings to life with understated yet formidable strength. She admits, “I think it helps that I’m quite tomboyish. I’ve always thrived in a male environment because I like fellas. They’re real fun,” she says. This natural comfort in challenging environments allowed her to seamlessly integrate into the dynamics of the film’s predominantly male cast, asserting her presence with a blend of Irish charm and inherent assertiveness when necessary. “I’ve been very lucky in the sense that I just have had good experiences working with men,” she muses, noting that the film crew was balanced with plenty of amazing women. “I have great laughs, but I think it’s also because I’m not afraid to be assertive when I need to be.”
“I think it helps that I’m quite tomboyish. I’ve always thrived in a male environment because I like fellas. They’re real fun.”
Her approach to this role was profoundly influenced by her collaboration with real-life F1 strategy analyst Bernie Collins, whom she met to deepen her understanding of the field. Despite the complexity of the sport, Condon’s preparation was meticulous, aiming to authentically portray the strategic acumen required behind the scenes of F1 racing. “It’s very complicated, so I want to be honest—to this day, I still don’t understand it all,” she admits, highlighting the challenging aspects of the sport.
“At the beginning, I was like, ‘It’s not that hard.’ It’s a lot harder than it looks,” she admits. “People don’t realize how hard it is to be a jockey until [they] do it. And it’s the same with the driving. It looks like you’re just sitting there, but the last thing you’re doing is sitting. It’s very complicated. It’s grueling, the schedule; I don’t know how they do it. Every weekend, they’re at a new bloody destination all over the world. They’re always on the move to the next place,” she says, noting the invasive nature of the constant press. “If I were a driver, I would snap,” Condon says. “The fact that they have to go straight from the track to a press conference is insane to me.”
“People don’t realize how hard it is to be a jockey until [they] do it. And it’s the same with the driving. It looks like you’re just sitting there, but the last thing you’re doing is sitting. It’s very complicated. It’s grueling, the schedule; I don’t know how they do it. Every weekend, they’re at a new bloody destination all over the world. They’re always on the move to the next place. If I were a driver, I would snap. The fact that they have to go straight from the track to a press conference is insane to me.”
Fendi cardigan and skirt; Fernando Jorge earrings.
Beyond the technical preparation, Condon was drawn to the role by the opportunity to work with high-caliber talents such as Pitt, Bardem and producer Jerry Bruckheimer. “It was a combo of it being Jerry Bruckheimer, Brad Pitt and [director/producer] Joseph Kosinski, which made me want to do it because I had never really done a blockbuster movie before,” Condon explains. This ensemble not only heightened the project’s allure but also provided her with a platform to showcase her capabilities internationally. “I also had done a TV show a long time ago with Michael Mann about horse racing, where I played a jockey. So I kind of knew how to learn about a racing world, and how to prep for a movie or a character based on a world that you don’t know about—so I felt like I had the upper hand,” she explains, sharing that the role felt meant to be. “When you immerse yourself in a world as an actor, it’s so much fun. It’s much more fun than just playing a regular part because you get to experience something you didn’t know anything about.”
Christian Dior by white blouse, sheer blouse and skirt; BVLGARI earrings, bracelet and ring.
Much like the camaraderie of the cast and crew of the film, Condon is sure to note that F1 is a team sport. “It’s not just the driver. It’s an entire team,” she explains. “There’s so many people. You don’t even realize there’s a team back in England on computers doing all this analysis of tire temps and all this crazy stuff. You just see the driver and the people on the pit wall and maybe the people in the garage doing the tire changes, but there are just so many other people involved.”
Chanel jacket, pants and necklaces.
As Condon notes, the film transcends the mere spectacle of F1 racing, embedding within it an underdog story that resonates with audiences beyond the motor sports fan base. “The movie has so much more than just F1. There’s an underdog story and all other little aspects of it… so I don’t think you have to be an F1 fan to enjoy it.” This narrative depth plays well with Condon’s career trajectory, often oscillating between independent films and, now, a blockbuster sure to redefine her as a leading lady in Hollywood.
Gucci dress and shoes; Tiffancy & Co. necklace and bracelet.
Despite her ascent in the cinematic world, Condon remains grounded and connected to her roots, something she vividly remembers during her quieter moments away from the spotlight, tending to her animals and reflecting on her journey. “It’s such a hard slog,” she remarks about the relentless pace of her profession and the high-stakes world of Formula 1.
Christian Dior white blouse, sheer blouse and skirt; BVLGAR earrings, bracelet and rings;
“I was ready for a little break, but in all fairness to everyone, I was ready for a break from everything,” she says. “It’s the same in our career: It’s easy to be doing well when you’re riding high like it’s easy to do well when you’re winning. It’s not so easy to handle yourself well when you’re not winning. And so I think it’s very telling how someone behaves when they’re not winning. So I pay attention to that because that, to me, defines a true champion.”
“The movie has so much more than just F1. There’s an underdog story and all other little aspects of it… So I don’t think you have to be an F1 fan to enjoy it.”
