- Tom Cruise drove a Red Bull Formula 1 car at Willow Springs International Raceway in 2011.
- With guidance from David Coulthard, Cruise completed 24 laps and cut 11 seconds from his first to his final lap time.
- Cruise has continued supporting Formula 1 through appearances at major races, including Silverstone and Miami.
Tom Cruise’s Formula 1 Test Drive
Tom Cruise is widely associated with his role as a racing driver in Days of Thunder, but his involvement with motorsport extends beyond the big screen. In 2011, the Hollywood actor drove a Red Bull Formula 1 car while taking a break from post-production on one of his Mission: Impossible films.
The opportunity came ahead of the inaugural United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of The Americas. Red Bull Racing arranged for Cruise to test one of its Formula 1 cars at Willow Springs International Raceway in Southern California, giving him the chance to experience an 850-horsepower machine on a 4km circuit.
David Coulthard, a former Red Bull Formula 1 driver and 13-time Grand Prix winner, was present to advise Cruise. A 12-person Red Bull crew prepared the car and helped the actor get ready for the test. Cruise and Coulthard first completed several passenger laps to familiarise themselves with the track before Cruise took control of the car.
Despite having never driven a Formula 1 car before, Cruise adapted quickly. He completed 24 laps and ultimately reduced his time by 11 seconds between his first and final laps. There were several moments off the racing line, but Cruise kept the car running and returned it to the pits. Away from the circuit, he also joined the Red Bull helicopter stunt team for loops and other daring manoeuvres.
Tom Cruise’s Early Motorsport Experience
Cruise’s interest in racing began well before his Formula 1 test. During the late 1980s, his The Color of Money co-star Paul Newman helped introduce him to professional racing. Cruise competed in sports cars for the Newman/Sharp Racing team and became known for an aggressive driving style.
Although he soon stopped racing competitively, Cruise continued to follow motorsport across both two and four wheels. His passion also appeared through racing-related film roles, including Days of Thunder, while his interest in Formula 1 continued through track experiences and visits to Grand Prix events.
Tom Cruise at the F1 The Movie Premiere
Cruise has also shown consistent support for the film industry. During the 2025 press tour for F1 The Movie, he appeared at the European premiere alongside Brad Pitt, his former co-star in Interview with the Vampire. The film was directed by Joseph Kosinski, who previously worked with Cruise on Oblivion and Top Gun: Maverick.
After appearing on the red carpet, Cruise praised the team behind the Formula 1 film on Instagram. Sharing a photograph from the premiere, he wrote: “Great night at the movies with my friends!! You guys crushed it!!”
Tom Cruise’s Formula 1 Appearances at Silverstone and Miami
Cruise has made several appearances at Formula 1 events, where he has been seen interacting with drivers, team figures and racing personalities. At the 2022 British Grand Prix, held around his 60th birthday, he was photographed beneath the podium with Anthony Hamilton and Antonio Perez, the fathers of Lewis Hamilton and Sergio Perez.
During the same Silverstone weekend, Cruise was pictured with Sir Jackie Stewart and alongside Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff in the garage during a session. He also joined Martin Brundle for a conversation during the grid walk, spent time with Lewis Hamilton’s brother Nicolas and was later photographed with Lewis Hamilton after the race.
Cruise had previously attended the 2021 British Grand Prix and the 2021 Goodwood Festival of Speed, where he spoke with Mario Andretti, the 1978 Formula 1 World Champion and American racing legend. In 2023, Cruise attended the Miami Grand Prix with Shakira and helped the Mercedes team during pit stop practice.
Why This Matters
Tom Cruise’s Formula 1 connection combines practical motorsport experience, long-running interest in racing and high-profile support for the sport’s growing place in popular culture. His Red Bull test showed that his appetite for speed was not limited to film production, while his appearances at Silverstone, Goodwood and Miami demonstrated continued engagement with the Formula 1 paddock.
As Digger reaches cinemas, Cruise’s history with Formula 1 offers another example of how his film career and real-world interest in high-performance machinery have repeatedly overlapped. From driving a Red Bull car at Willow Springs to supporting F1 The Movie, he has built more than a decade of Formula 1 memories away from the movie set.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Tom Cruise drive a Formula 1 car?
Tom Cruise drove a Red Bull Formula 1 car in 2011 at Willow Springs International Raceway in Southern California.
Who helped Tom Cruise during his Formula 1 test?
David Coulthard, a former Red Bull Formula 1 driver and 13-time Grand Prix winner, provided advice during the test. A 12-person Red Bull crew also prepared the car and supported Cruise at the circuit.
Which Formula 1 events has Tom Cruise attended?
Cruise attended the 2021 and 2022 British Grand Prix weekends, the 2021 Goodwood Festival of Speed and the 2023 Miami Grand Prix. At Miami, he was accompanied by Shakira and helped Mercedes with pit stop practice.
