‘F1’ Director Explains Why ‘Bridgerton’ Star Simone Ashley’s Role Was Cut (Exclusive)

Simone Ashley’s part in F1 was ultimately cut from the final film.

It was announced in July 2024 that the Bridgerton star had been cast in the high-octane Formula One racing drama alongside Brad Pitt and Damson Idris, and she was later photographed filming scenes for the project.

However, her role was removed from the film, which also stars Kerry Condon, Tobias Menzies, Kim Bodnia and Javier Bardem. (She briefly appears onscreen but has no lines of dialogue.)

When asked about the change to Ashley’s part, director Joseph Kosinski tells PEOPLE, “It happens on every film, where you have to shoot more than you can use. There were two or three storylines that ultimately didn’t make into the final cut.”

“But Simone, she’s an incredible talent, incredible actress, incredible singer, and I would love to work with her again,” Kosinski adds.

The actress has not spoken out about how her role was reduced in the film as of yet.

Speaking to ELLE earlier this month, Ashley, 30, said making F1 was a “crazy” experience. “I have a very small part, but I’m grateful to be in that movie,” she said at the time. “I got to experience many Grands Prix. I don’t think I’ll ever do anything like that again.”

She had also previously told Who What Wear in March that production on the film had been “going for years” as she revealed how long her role was in the works.

“I met for this movie, I think, before Bridgerton even came out. It’s been a long time, and you know, it’s Damson and Brad’s movie. I’m just so grateful that I can be part of it.”

She also explained how tight of a timeline the film was on as they were rolling during actual Formula One races.

“You had to work as a team. Sometimes we literally had one take for certain shots. Like, you’d see on the call sheet eight minutes to get this one thing because we were shooting alongside the races.”

“It was amazing, the adrenaline,” she continued. “It was kind of like theater. It felt so live.”

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F1 is in theaters June 27.