Apple developed a bespoke camera system using iPhone components to capture high-speed footage from Formula 1 cars for the upcoming film F1: The Movie, according to WIRED.
Traditional Hollywood cinema cameras could not be mounted on Formula 1 vehicles due to strict design constraints like aerodynamics, weight, and safety. Standard F1 broadcast cameras, while suitable for live broadcasts, do not meet the visual quality demands of feature film production.
Apple’s engineering team created a custom camera module engineered around an iPhone camera sensor and powered by an Apple A-series chip. The device fits precisely in the same space as official F1 broadcast cameras and matches their weight to comply with Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) regulations. It also exceeds durability requirements by withstanding heat, shock, and vibration.
The camera incorporates the 48-megapixel sensor from the iPhone 15 Pro and is powered by what is believed to be the A17 Pro chipset. It records high-resolution video in ProRes Log format, offering filmmakers enhanced control over dynamic range and color grading. A physical neutral density (ND) filter was integrated to manage exposure under varying and intense light conditions typical of daytime races.
Running a custom iOS version with specialized firmware for this project, the camera’s software helped introduce new features to the iPhone 15 Pro such as Log encoding and compatibility with the Academy Color Encoding System (ACES) workflow.
Because F1 regulations ban onboard radio transmitters and wireless devices, Apple also designed an iPad app to serve as a wired control interface. Connected via USB-C, the app allows real-time adjustment of ISO, shutter angle, white balance, frame rate, and start/stop functions. The footage is stored locally on the camera and later extracted for editing.
F1: The Movie will premiere internationally on June 25 and in U.S. theaters and IMAX on June 27.