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3mo ago

Apple’s iPhone Technology Powers Onboard Cameras in Upcoming F1 Film

Matching broadcast camera weight, the modules captured cinema-quality ProRes Log footage under F1 racing conditions.

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The Apex Grand Prix car of fictional driver Sonny Hayes, to be portrayed by Brad Pitt, for the upcoming Formula One based movie Apex, is seen driving on track prior to final practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Great Britain at Silverstone Circuit on July 08, 2023 in Northampton, England.
Cameras on F1 race cars needed very specific, exacting mods. iPhone to the rescue.
iPhone 15 Pro Max sales | Close-up of camera lens on last year's model

Overview

  • Apple engineers built a custom camera module housing an iPhone sensor, A-series chip and battery to replace standard F1 broadcast cameras with cinema-grade hardware.
  • The iPhone-based rigs were tested during the 2023 and 2024 F1 seasons and met rigorous requirements for weight, aerodynamics, shock, vibration and heat resilience.
  • Footage was recorded in ProRes Log with a neutral density filter for flexible color grading and managed via a USB-C–connected iPad app due to the absence of wireless radios.
  • Custom firmware development for the F1 project directly resulted in log encoding and support for the Academy Color Encoding System workflow on the iPhone 15 Pro.
  • Directed by Joseph Kosinski and featuring Brad Pitt, Damson Idris and executive producer Lewis Hamilton, the F1 movie opens internationally on June 25 and in North America on June 27.