Hot Wheels Drops F1 Movie Die-Cast Car with Brad Pitt Livery
Hot Wheels F1 Movie car drops June 24 with Brad Pitt’s APXGP livery, collectible tires, and movie-level detail. A must-have for racing and film fans.
After the F1® movie debut, Hot Wheels unveils a limited-edition 1:64 scale replica of Brad Pitt’s APXGP car—complete with racing livery, Pirelli tires, and cinematic pedigree
Why does this car matter right now?
Because Hollywood and Formula 1 Racing just had a baby, and it’s only 1:64 scale. Hot Wheels, the undisputed king of die-cast collectibles, is releasing a limited-edition model of the fictional APXGP car from the upcoming F1: The Movie. It’s driven on screen by Brad Pitt’s character, Sonny Hayes, and this miniaturized version lets fans park a piece of movie and motorsport history on their desks.
Set to hit theaters June 27, the film, produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, Plan B, and F1® champ Lewis Hamilton already has serious motorsport and cinematic cred. But the real surprise is that Mattel’s announcement about the die-cast model is stealing as many headlines as the film itself. This is not just a cash-in toy, it’s a collector’s-grade tribute to the world’s fastest sport, and it drops June 24 on MattelCreations.com for $25.
How does it compare to rivals?
Let’s be honest—there are no rivals. Matchbox has the nostalgia edge, and Lego Technic might win in the brick-based engineering department, but when it comes to real-world motorsport replicas, Hot Wheels still wears the crown.
This 1:64 scale F1 die-cast isn’t just another blister-pack racer. It’s molded after the APXGP car from the film with black and gold livery, Sonny Hayes’ number 7, and a driver figure wearing a matching helmet. It includes three sets of real rubber Pirelli tires, a tire rack, and a premium Kar Keepers clamshell case for those who prefer to display rather than vroom.
It’s also not the first time Hot Wheels has dipped into Formula 1. Following the 2023 licensing deal with F1®, Hot Wheels launched two sold-out die-cast drops. But this release ties directly into movie stardom, giving collectors, F1 fans, and even Brad Pitt stans a reason to click “add to cart.”
Who is this for and who should skip it?
This isn’t a toy for toddlers to yeet across kitchen tiles. This is for the grown-ups, motorsport heads, collectors, and the kind of people who can name every F1 driver from the 1996 grid. It’s also for cinema junkies who appreciate a physical artifact from what could become the most high-octane film of the year.
If your shelves already sag under the weight of unopened Hot Wheels cars, you’re the target demographic. If you’ve ever argued about tire compounds in a pub, welcome home. But if you think F1 is “that thing with the left turns,” maybe stick to NASCAR merchandise.
What’s the long-term significance?
Hot Wheels is doing more than selling die-casts, they’re cultivating cultural cachet. By partnering with Formula 1 and tying products to Hollywood projects, Mattel is future-proofing its relevance in the toy-meets-lifestyle market.
We’ve moved past the era where merchandise was an afterthought. The APXGP car is a miniature flag-plant for the Hot Wheels brand, signaling that they don’t just follow trends, they drive them.
And for F1 itself? It’s another step in making the sport more accessible. The film brings global eyes to the drama, and the die-cast gives them a tangible takeaway. It’s motorsport marketing genius, shrink-wrapped in blister packaging.
So yes, it’s a $25 toy car. But it’s also a symbol. Of Formula 1’s Hollywood moment. Of Mattel’s mastery in brand fusion. And of a culture that still believes the coolest things come with four wheels and a great story.
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