Damson Idris makes "F1" movie statement at Met Gala with Tommy Hilfiger transformation

Damson Idris had one of the most memorable entrances at the 2025 Met Gala. The British actor arrived in a full APXGP racing suit straight from the upcoming F1 movie, as well as an embellished racing helmet consisting of 20,000 Swarovski crystals. But before we knew what was happening, the racing suit was torn off to reveal a custom Tommy Hilfiger suit underneath. 

Idris, who is attending the event as a special guest of Tommy Hilfiger, immediately drew attention in the racing suit, separating the tailored looks of the gala in a promo for the upcoming movie. And when the racing suit was ripped off, he embodied the gala's theme of "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style".

Idris stars in the upcoming movie F1, starring alongside Brad Pitt as the rookie Joshua Pearce - a name printed onto his racing suit tonight. Directed by Joseph Kosinski of Top Gun: Maverick fame, the movie is making headlines as it only recently had its soundtrack revealed to the public over the weekend of the Miami Grand Prix. 

“We’re excited to partner with the highly anticipated film, ‘F1’,” Hilfiger said. “Damson Idris stars as Joshua Pierce, a driver for the fictional APXGP team, and we wanted his Met Gala entrance to reflect the same cinematic energy.”

He continued: “The Met is all about making a statement, and the reveal was everything: stepping out of the suit to unveil a sharp, tailored tuxedo in Tommy tartan — seamlessly shifting from high-octane to high fashion. From start line to spotlight, it captured the essence of both worlds.”

Joining the seven-time Formula 1 champion and co-chair of tonight's gala, Lewis Hamilton, the two reunite after working so closely on the movie. The Ferrari driver is a producer on F1 and worked closely with the team as they targeted total realism. 

"There’s no better person to teach you about F1 than Lewis Hamilton," Idris said at an IWC event attended by this writer.

“So, Lewis comes in and he essentially calls BS. He lets us know that ‘Hey, that wouldn’t happen’, which is a rarity in this art form.

“So to have someone who lives, breathes and sleeps Formula One, where I know their hands have been on this movie, it’s unlike anything I’ve done before.

“They put me behind the wheel, and I had some driving experience – I’ve driven fast cars before – but it’s unlike anything that we’re doing right now.”

Brad Pitt, Damson Idris

Photo by: Erik Junius

Hamilton, dressed to impress, said the following on his responsibility at the Met Gala as co-chair:

"Honestly, I think it's really an extension of, you know, 2021, when I bought a table here and brought Black designers. I really created... it was an amazing evening.

"After that, speaking with Anna [Wintour] and just starting to collaborate on what the Met could grow to and what it can one day be," Hamilton continued.

"We were in London, and she told me the theme. And I was so, so excited. And then she asked me to be the co-chair. And in that moment, for sure, I couldn't believe it-I was like, 'I'm gonna say no?'"

The movie F1 will be released premieres 27 June later this year.