Earlier this week, the F1 movie had its world premiere at Times Square in New York City. In attendance were most of the 2025 season’s grid, as well as the cast and crew behind the movie. Javier Bardem, who plays Ruben Cervantes in the film, was also there.
Cervantes is the owner of the fictional team in the movie, and as such, Bardem plays a significant role. He’s been heavily featured in the film’s promotional materials, like the trailers and posters. At the premiere, in conversation with a media outlet, the Spaniard shared his thoughts on the current situation between Israel and Palestine.
He explained how there must be a focus on the ongoing crisis, specifically about the children dying due to the conflict. He also called upon the West to stop throwing their support behind Israel.
Speaking with Variety, Bardem shared how it is important to throw light on the things happening in the real world. The actor shared that while they are celebrating the release of their film, there must also be talk about the children who are losing their lives in Gaza. He also relayed a message asking for support from America towards Israel to stop, as well as stating that Western countries need to end their relationships with Israel.
“We are celebrating movies and Variety celebrates movies, but also we can not forget what is happening in the real world. While we’re celebrating fiction. In Gaza, there are thousands of children dying of starvation and it’s a genocide, taking place in front of our eyes in 4K. American support has to stop, financing bombs that are killing so many thousands of children. The Western European countries have to start taking actions into cutting ties with Israel and not with words but with more actions.”
Later, as part of his promotional tour of the F1 movie, Bardem also made an appearance on the American talk show, The View. During his time on the episode, he once again spoke out about his thoughts on the conflict.
“First of all, because of the impunity that is taking Israel in doing these actions, and the lack of action on any government of course the back up of the United States with all those weapons and the economics, and also the silence of Europe, is creating a scenario where there is such impunity that if we really don’t do something about that we are going towards, well, what is happening now,” he said. [via The Daily Mail]
F1: The Movie releases worldwide on June 25th and in North America on June 27th. Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, and Kerry Condon make up the rest of the cast of the film. Lewis Hamilton has also produced the film.
When F1 Movie producer Lewis Hamilton shared his support for Palestine
Last year, Lewis Hamilton took to his social media to share his views on the Israel-Palestine conflict. The driver, who is producing and appearing in the new movie, posted his thoughts on the situation on his Instagram story. Hamilton has advocated for many real-world issues using his platform, such as the Black Lives Matter movement. In May of 2024, he used his platform to speak out about the attacks on Gaza since October 2023.
“Enough is enough. We cannot continue to watch this tragedy unfold and not speak up. The trauma and terror so many, but particularly innocent children, are experiencing is horrifying. This must stop – for the children, for their families, and for their lives,” Hamilton wrote. [via GP Blog]
As of June 2025, the current Palestinian death toll from the 20-month-long conflict has gone past 55,000. Reportedly, since the Israel-Hamas war began in October of 2023, there have been 17,000+ children who have lost their lives. Furthermore, due to the devastation wreaked upon Gaza, approximately 90% of its population has been displaced. Many buildings and homes have been destroyed, and there are no more hospitals in the region.
As of now, Lewis Hamilton is the only F1 driver to have spoken publicly about the conflict in the region.
