“F1” Star Javier Bardem Reveals Surprising Detail About His and Penélope Cruz’s Driving Habits
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Javier Bardem, the renowned actor, sat down for an exclusive interview with People magazine recently, shedding light on a surprising aspect of his and his wife Penélope Cruz’s lives – they don’t drive. Despite their on-screen portrayals in movies involving cars, Bardem, 56, confessed that neither he nor Cruz, 51, are car enthusiasts.
Bardem shared this revelation during the red-carpet event at the premiere of his latest movie, “F1,” scheduled for release on June 27. Although Cruz starred in the 2024 film “Ferrari,” focusing on Enzo Ferrari, the founder of the iconic car manufacturer, Bardem admitted that his wife doesn’t drive, while he himself has limited driving skills, stating, “I barely know how to drive.”
The couple’s surprising admission adds a layer of irony to their involvement in car-related films. Bardem expressed his confusion, saying, “I dunno where it comes from,” regarding the recurring theme of driving in their cinematic projects.
Cruz’s aversion to driving stems from a childhood trauma she experienced when her sister was hit by a car in front of her at a young age. The actress has openly discussed her fear of driving, which was detailed in a cover story for Elle in January 2024, following the release of “Ferrari.”
In the upcoming movie “F1,” Brad Pitt co-stars alongside Bardem, playing the role of Sonny Hayes, a retired Formula 1 racer. The film follows Hayes as he makes a comeback to the racetrack under the guidance of Bardem’s character, Ruben Cervantes, the owner of the fictional F1 team APXGP. Other cast members include Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, and Kim Bodnia.
Pitt, 61, shared his exhilarating experience of learning to drive F1 cars, reaching speeds of up to 180 miles per hour on tracks around the world. The actor described the opportunity as “incredible,” highlighting memorable locations like Silverstone, Spa in Belgium, and Abu Dhabi, which left a lasting impression on him.
During an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Bardem recounted how easily he developed a “bromance” with Pitt on the set of “F1,” praising Pitt for his authenticity and care towards the cast. The Spanish actor commended Pitt for his commitment to performing real driving scenes and ensuring the well-being of everyone on set.
Directed by Joseph Kosinski and written by Ehren Kruger, “F1” is set to hit theatres on June 27, offering audiences an action-packed racing narrative that showcases the talents of Bardem, Pitt, and the rest of the ensemble cast.
In conclusion, the revelation about Bardem and Cruz’s driving habits adds a unique layer of intrigue to their upcoming movie “F1,” promising an exciting cinematic experience for fans of high-speed action and thrilling performances.