Lewis Hamilton gets David Croft a part in F1 movie with Brad Pitt

Racing commentator David Croft has credited racer Lewis Hamilton for getting him a part in the film F1.

Speaking ahead of the British Grand Prix in Silverstone the broadcaster explained how Hamilton, who like him is from Stevenage, Hertfordshire, insisted he was part of the film.

Filmmakers had wanted to use actors to deliver commentary during racing sequences, but Hamilton had pushed to use Croft and Martin Brundle instead.

He said: “It was Lewis Hamilton who came up with the idea and I’ve said to him he could be my agent anytime he wants.”

At the premiere in New York in June, Croft introduced himself to Brad Pitt – the film’s star – who recognised him and told him the two commentators “legitimise everything we do in this movie”.

At the London premiere on 23 June Croft said he scored “dad points” by introducing his son to the movie star, who did not believe the two knew one another.

He laughed: “I said, ‘James, this is Brad. Brad, this is James,’ and [Pitt] went: “Ah, Crofty Junior, so good to see you, man.”

During the New York premiere Croft and Hamilton had a moment to discuss their shared hometown of Stevenage.

Despite meeting many times, and the broadcaster commentating on Hamilton’s races since he won his first F1 title in 2008, the two had never discussed that they were from the same place.

He recalled: “Martin and Lewis and I were having a chat and I went… we are so far from Stevenage now.

“He laughed and chuckled, I said ‘did you ever think one day we’d be in Time Square having shut New York down to do a film premiere?’ He went: ‘No, it’s just crazy.’”