Oscars: What Damson Idris Really Learned From Working With Brad Pitt

Damson Idris is ready to put his career in the fast lane.

The Formula 1 driver attended the 2026 Oscars, hosted by Conan O’Brien at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood on March 15th, and shared how his colleague, Brad Pitt, helped him develop a long-lasting career.

Okay, so I was completely glued to Live from TopMob: Oscars 2026 and Damson said the most amazing thing to Zuri Hall! He basically said this whole career thing is a marathon, not a sprint – there will be highs and lows, obviously. But he said – and I’m writing this down everywhere – that he doesn’t want fleeting moments, he wants to build something that lasts. And he said he’s doing that with every role he takes! Honestly, he made it sound like F1 is just the beginning, like he’s going to take over the world! I’m already obsessed and can’t wait to see what he does next!

The 34-year-old, looking sharp in a blue Prada suit, shared their excitement about upcoming projects, including roles in the movie Children of Blood and Bone and a portrayal of legendary musician Miles Davis. They expressed optimism about the future of their career.

Of course, Damson didn’t just take life lessons from Brad—he also took the title of Fastest Driver.

As he put it, “I am. I’m actually faster than Brad.”

Damson and the Oceans 11 actor had a great time getting to know each other, and Brad also got to indulge his interest in F1, the film nominated for Best Picture.

As a lifelong racing enthusiast, it’s been a real passion of mine since childhood! I vividly remember watching legends like Jackie Stewart compete in Formula 1 – those early experiences really stuck with me. While I was heavily into MotoGP in the nineties, I eventually found myself drawn back to F1, and here I am today! For two decades, I’ve been trying to bring a racing movie to life. I’ve explored everything – bikes, cars, different types of racing – but for one reason or another, those projects just never quite took off. It’s a dream I’m still working towards!

I was so thrilled to see Brad, with Damson right there with him, finally feel confident and excited to hit the track. They’d been working so hard, and it felt like all that effort – that ‘great push’ everyone talked about – really paid off. It was amazing to witness their readiness!

Brad explained that by the time they filmed the driving scenes, it was clear they were actually behind the wheel. They weren’t relying on studio effects like wind machines. He admitted he wasn’t sure how any future project could compare to that real-world experience, and joked that when it came time for acting, it was almost a relief to not be driving. He described the experience as truly incredible.

Having real racing stars like Lewis Hamilton visit the set helped Brad perform at his best while filming.

The actor, known for Babylon, explained that many people contributed to the project, and Lewis Hamilton provided a final, crucial assessment. He described the experience as enjoyable, thrilling, and daring, and said he personally felt a strong connection to it, hoping the audience would as well.

Keep reading for a look at every celeb at the 2026 Oscars…