British actor Damson Idris achieved a remarkable feat whilst filming the new Formula 1 film, driving flat through Silverstone's notorious Copse corner as Lewis Hamilton watched on.
The heart-stopping moment occurred during production of F1: The Movie, which saw Idris behind the wheel of a modified Formula 2 car at the iconic British circuit.
Idris revealed on the F1 Nation podcast: "I can confirm I was flat, and I did it in front of Lewis, too! Did it in front of Lewis.
"So that was a big one for me."
Damson Idris achieved the feat in front of racing legend Lewis Hamilton
Damson Idris
The high-speed right-hander is typically taken flat-out by experienced F1 drivers but presents an extreme challenge for those with less track time.
The actor's reaction to his daring manoeuvre was visceral and immediate.
Idris continued: "I just really wanted to push myself, and I remember when I did it, I mean, I was screaming, and then kept doing it."
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The star revealed he was 'screaming' while driving flat at the notorious Copse corner at Silverstone
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His surprise at the achievement became apparent only after reviewing the telemetry.
"When they showed me the graphics of it after and all the data, they were like, 'bloody hell, Damson! You're flat through Copse!' And I was like, am I?" he said.
The moment clearly left a lasting impression on the British actor, who repeatedly emphasised the significance of performing the feat in Hamilton's presence.
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Idris's confidence to attempt the challenging corner stemmed from an unexpected source - his inexperience with F2 machinery.
"But the reason why I had the confidence to do it was, you know, we would do F4 and F3, and I was flat in those," he continued.
This lack of familiarity with the more powerful F2 car paradoxically worked in his favour.
Idris admitted: "So it was actually a lack of experience that made me go flat in the F2. I didn't know that there was any other way you were supposed to go through Copse!
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F1: The Movie starring Brad Pitt was released this week
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"So as I'm heading down the straight, I'm just, I'm not lifting. I'm just like, 'Yeah, this is where I turn.'"
The authentic racing sequences were filmed using modified Formula 2 cars equipped with cameras during actual Grand Prix weekends.
Idris and co-star Brad Pitt were given 10-minute slots to capture scenes whilst real F1 action unfolded around them.
Idris enthused: "It was insane for me because, I mean, I got to drive on a track. I got to drive on a track!"
The proximity to professional drivers provided invaluable insights for his performance.
F1: The Movie had its global release this week, and international screenings have now commenced.
The film stars Pitt as former racer Sonny Hayes alongside Idris's rookie sensation Joshua Pearce.
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