Sawt Falasteen - Hamilton reveals sequel in the works to blockbuster 'F1: The Movie'

The film released last year starred Pitt and Damson Idris and was directed by Joseph Kosinski, who made 'Top Gun: Maverick' among others.

Producers included Jerry Bruckheimer and seven-time world champion Hamilton.

"We are already working on the first script," the Ferrari driver said in Melbourne ahead of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.

"We had our first meeting maybe mid-to-late the second part of the end of the year -- me, Jerry and Joe talking about different ideas, different directions that we could go with the script.

"So it's really exciting. I'm super excited. Now I've been through it, and it was already very intense the first time going. Now I'm used to it. So I know what to expect."

In the first film, Pitt played a grizzled veteran brought in to shore up a foundering Formula One team run by his one-time teammate, played by Javier Bardem.

The team's talented rookie driver (Idris) resented the older man, with their difficult relationship forming the emotional backbone.

It was a huge hit, raking in more than US$630 million worldwide.

"It's been amazing to see how big an impact it's had, how many people have loved the movie," said Hamilton.

"I'm still getting texts from people who are still only just watching the movie and how it's opened their eyes up to what this sport is about

"Sequels often aren't always great," he added. "But we've got a great team, got a great cast, great writer. So I'm not concerned about that.

"But we're going to take our time and make sure we get it just the way it needs to be."

Asked if he might be tempted to have a role in the sequel, he replied: "I don't really have a lot of desire to be on camera, and I've had loads of opportunities to be in movies.

"I really liked the idea of being in the background. It was an amazing experience, and it's so much more enjoyable, I think, than actually being on camera."

A.Suleiman--SF-PST