Simone Ashley’s F1 role cut to cameo: fans voice disappointment on TikTok

Simone Ashley’s role in the highly anticipated Brad Pitt F1 racing film was significantly reduced to a brief cameo, much to the disappointment of fans on TikTok.

Director Joseph Kosinski addressed the speculation, explaining that the reduction was due to necessary cuts in storylines for time constraints. He stated, "It happens on every film, where you have to shoot more than you can use." Kosinski praised Ashley as "incredible" and emphasized there was "no bad blood" regarding the decision.

Ashley, 30, had previously described her experience filming in Abu Dhabi and touring with the Grand Prix as "one of the craziest things I think I've ever been part of." She acknowledged her role was small but expressed gratitude, saying, "I have a very small part, but I’m grateful to be in that movie."

Behind the scenes, Ashley highlighted the tight coordination required during filming, noting, "You had to work as a team. Sometimes, we literally had one take for certain shots," due to shooting alongside live races.

The film, which also stars Damson Iris and Kerry Condon, was announced in July 2024. Despite the reduced screen time, Ashley does appear briefly in the final cut, though without any lines.

Fan disappointment was voiced on TikTok two weeks before the film’s theatrical release, with one user stating her role was "reduced down to almost just a cameo." Kosinski’s comments aim to clarify the situation and reassure fans of Ashley’s valued contribution.

This development underscores the challenges filmmakers face in balancing storytelling with runtime, often resulting in difficult editing decisions even for talented actors like Ashley.

Simone Ashley’s role in the upcoming Brad Pitt F1 racing film was cut to a brief cameo, sparking fan disappointment on TikTok. Director Joseph Kosinski explained the reduction was due to storylines cut for time, emphasizing no bad blood and praising Ashley’s performance.