Why Simone Ashley Barely Appears in 'F1: The Movie', According to the Director
Simone Ashley’s role in ‘F1: The Movie’ was mostly cut, but she still calls filming “crazy” and says she’s grateful for it.
Simone Ashley, known for her standout roles in Bridgerton and Sex Education, was set to appear in F1: The Movie, a new racing film starring 
Brad Pitt and 
Damson Idris. Directed by Top Gun: Maverick’s Joseph Kosinski, the film lands in theaters on June 27, 2025. Fans were curious about Ashley’s role when her casting was announced, but it turns out most of her scenes didn’t make the final cut.
In an interview with People, Kosinski said, “It happens on every film, where you have to shoot more than you can use.” He confirmed that two or three full storylines were removed during editing, including Ashley’s. She does appear briefly in the film, but without any dialogue.
Still, Kosinski had high praise for her, calling her “an incredible talent, incredible actress, incredible singer,” and saying he’d love to work with her again. Ashley hasn’t commented directly on the changes, but in a recent Elle interview, she said, “I have a very small part, but I’m grateful to be in that movie.”
She also mentioned that filming included visits to multiple Formula One races, which she described as a once-in-a-lifetime kind of experience: “I don’t think I’ll ever do anything like that again.”