Yes, Simone Ashley Was Cut From the 'F1' Movie. Here's Why, According to the Director

Simone Ashley was originally slated for a role in F1, but her original role was cut from the final version of the film. Those looking forward to seeing the Bridgerton actor in the racing movie are reasonably disappointed. Ashley and F1 director Joseph Kosinski revealed why it happened in the first place.

Before her role was chopped from the final cut, Ashley even filmed scenes at real Grand Prix events. Her presence in the movie helped build buzz around it. However, it turns out the actor's on-screen appearance has been reduced to a brief, non-speaking moment. Ashley spoke about the experience in an interview with Elle, describing the movie shoot as “crazy” in the best way and something she felt lucky to be part of, even if her scenes didn’t make the final storyline.

According to Kosinski, who also directed Top Gun: Maverick, the change came down to editing, not performance. “We shot a ton of material,” he told People. “There were two or three storylines that just didn’t fit in the end." Ashley’s character was among those trimmed to streamline the narrative. Kosinski made clear that it was a creative call, praising her as “an incredible talent, incredible actress, incredible singer,” and expressing interest in working with her again.

The film hits theaters June 27 and stars Brad Pitt as a former driver returning to the track alongside Damon Idris, Jodie Comer, Javier Bardem, Tobias Menzies, and more. Actual Formula 1 drivers appear as well, including champions like Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen.

While some fans were disappointed, especially given Ashley’s love of the sport and early press mentions, Kosinski’s comments highlight just how common these decisions are in large-scale filmmaking. And with Ashley’s rising profile and the director’s glowing praise, there’s little doubt she’ll be back on screen soon... ideally with more than a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment.