Jonas Leo
Las Vegas, Nevada – In the quiet hours preceding the spectacle of the Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix, the iconic facade of Caesars Palace became the clandestine backdrop for a high-profile automotive advertisement featuring Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula 1 driver George Russell and Hollywood icon Brad Pitt. The overnight shoot, spanning from 7 pm to 7 am, saw the collaboration of motorsport and cinema to unveil a highly anticipated prototype of the new Mercedes-AMG GT, a strategic move by Mercedes to leverage the global spotlight on the city.
The elaborate production, documented behind the scenes by renowned automotive photographer Larry Chen, transformed a normally bustling area into a meticulously controlled film set. Chen described the process as an "upside down" production, a testament to the complex logistical and creative demands of capturing a dynamic vehicle in a unique urban environment. The timing of the shoot, deliberately scheduled during the city’s lull, allowed production teams to exploit the relatively deserted streets of Sin City, a rare commodity during a major event week.
The advertisement’s narrative unfolded with Pitt portraying a distinguished guest at Caesars Palace awaiting his vehicle. The twist arrived with Russell, stepping out of his typical racing overalls and into the role of a valet, retrieving Pitt’s car. What began as a routine exchange quickly escalated into a display of precision driving, featuring a series of controlled doughnuts and impressive drifting maneuvers, showcasing the performance capabilities of the camouflaged AMG GT prototype. The spectacle highlighted the vehicle’s agility and power, elements integral to the AMG brand identity.
Russell’s immersion into his character was noted by Chen, who observed the Briton’s arrival late at night and immediate transition into the persona of a "bored valet driver." The shoot also incorporated specific brand integration requirements. "I was told I always had to show his IWC wristwatch… I always made him pull back his sleeve," Chen recounted, underscoring the meticulous attention to detail and sponsor obligations common in high-value commercial productions. IWC Schaffhausen, a long-standing partner of Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team, frequently features Russell as a brand ambassador, solidifying the synergy between luxury timepieces and elite motorsport.
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While Russell’s on-screen presence added a layer of authenticity and star power, the demanding driving sequences were expertly executed by Formula Drift champion Samuel Hübinette. This decision underscored the extreme precision and skill required for the stunts, especially given the challenging conditions of the filming location. The area around the Caesars Palace fountain, characterized by cobblestone and uneven surfaces, presented a formidable environment for high-performance driving. Hübinette’s expertise was critical in ensuring both the spectacular nature of the shots and the safety of the production.
The prototype vehicle itself posed unique challenges for the photography and videography teams. Covered in intricate 3D-printed cladding, the car’s appearance and dynamic behavior were distinct. "The way the vehicle moved, the way it built up smoke… was pretty different," Chen explained, referring to the visual effects necessitated by the prototype’s disguise and the desire to convey its raw power. This pre-release marketing strategy aims to build anticipation and intrigue around the new AMG GT, a successor to a lineage of high-performance sports cars that blend track-ready dynamics with luxurious grand touring capabilities. The Mercedes-AMG GT series is a cornerstone of Mercedes-Benz’s performance division, directly linking the technological advancements of its Formula 1 program to its road-going vehicles.
Brad Pitt’s involvement in the advert comes amid his increasing presence within the motorsport community. The actor is currently producing and starring in an upcoming Formula 1-themed feature film, reportedly titled Apex, which has seen him embedded within actual Grand Prix weekends, interacting with teams and drivers. This immersion provided Pitt with a natural ease on set, allowing him to embody his role with confidence. "I would say my favourite shot of the night was with Brad and then also the vehicle in the background making a bunch of tyre smoke," Chen shared, highlighting a particularly impactful moment.
Capturing this pivotal shot required specific technical considerations. Chen detailed the process: "The Mercedes folks originally asked me to potentially get this shot while Nick and the crew were getting it on video, but I tried my best and Brad’s position wasn’t perfect for that in terms of the angle of the shot. I actually had to be a lot closer to him to shoot his face. We had to light him and then also the action had to take place kind of in slow motion for the shot to come together." This meticulous planning and execution ensured the visual impact of the scene, creating an almost surreal image. "It almost looked like a photoshopped shot. It looked like it was not real, but we did it practically and that’s just my style. I really want to try to get everything as close to in camera as possible." This commitment to practical effects over digital manipulation resonated strongly with the Mercedes team. "After that, I showed the folks from Mercedes the photo, and they were just so stoked on how interesting it looked. It just looked so out of place."
George Russell, at 25 years old, has rapidly established himself as a key figure in Formula 1. His career with Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team, which began in 2022 after three seasons with Williams, has seen him achieve his maiden Grand Prix victory at the 2022 Brazilian Grand Prix and secure multiple podium finishes. As a young, articulate, and highly marketable driver, Russell embodies the future of Mercedes’ sporting and commercial endeavors. His clean image and technical prowess make him an ideal ambassador for the brand’s performance division, fostering a direct connection between the pinnacle of motorsport and its luxury automotive offerings. Mercedes-AMG, as a brand, consistently leverages its F1 success to market its high-performance road cars, with Russell playing a crucial role in this strategy. The team concluded the 2023 Constructors’ Championship in second place, with Russell contributing significantly to their points tally.
The selection of Las Vegas as the filming location was no coincidence. The city’s recent integration into the Formula 1 calendar has positioned it as a global hub for entertainment and high-stakes events. The Las Vegas Grand Prix, renowned for its unique street circuit winding through iconic landmarks, offers an unparalleled platform for brand visibility. Mercedes-AMG’s decision to stage this high-profile advert during the lead-up to such a significant event maximized its potential reach and impact, capitalizing on the heightened media attention and global audience tuning into F1. The logistical feat of securing and utilizing Caesars Palace, a symbol of Las Vegas’s grandeur, further amplified the ad’s prestige and memorability.
The comprehensive shoot, despite its demanding overnight schedule, culminated in a video that quickly achieved viral status upon release. The strategic blend of a current F1 star, a Hollywood icon with newfound ties to motorsport, and a highly anticipated luxury performance vehicle proved to be a potent marketing formula. This collaboration underscored Mercedes-AMG’s innovative approach to advertising, effectively marrying the thrill of motorsport with the allure of cinema to create a captivating narrative for its new flagship sports car. The success of the production demonstrates the increasing cross-pollination between sports, entertainment, and luxury branding, setting a new benchmark for automotive advertising campaigns.
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Author Profile
- Jonas Leo is a passionate motorsport journalist and lifelong Formula 1 enthusiast. With a sharp eye for race strategy and driver performance, he brings readers closer to the world of Grand Prix racing through in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive paddock insights. Jonas has covered everything from preseason testing to dramatic title deciders, capturing the emotion and precision that define modern F1. When he’s not tracking lap times or pit stop tactics, he enjoys exploring classic racing archives and writing about the evolution of F1 technology.
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