Damson Idris Said Filming ‘F1’ Made Him A Safer Driver

Damson Idris has become a more cautious driver after filming his new movie F1.

Speaking with PEOPLE, Idris explained what made him slow down on the road. During filming, he drove up to 180 mph.

I’m not going to lie, it actually made me drive a lot safer,” Idris said. “I have so much respect for F1 drivers and the speeds that they reach and the amount of pressure that they’re under while they reach those speeds.”

“So yeah, now when I’m in the car, I’m definitely just cruising and minding my business,” Idris continued.

Previously, Idris told PEOPLE that he “watched every single race” he could to prepare for the film. He also shared that Pitt became close, although their characters are at odds in the film.

“It was a seamless dynamic between us. As soon as they’d yell ‘Cut!’, we both sat in our seats and giggled,” Idris said.

“He’d be telling me stories of when he first met Prince and Sidney Poitier. And I’m like, ‘Oh my God, this is just too iconic; you’re a walking monument.’ “

“I always say [Brad is] the most humble person and such a brilliant actor, and he wants you to win,” Idris added. “And he did that for me the entire movie — made a point of having the two characters be equals — so I’m incredibly indebted to him, and I can’t wait people to see it.”

In the film, Idris plays Joshua Pierce, the rookie teammate of Brad Pitt’s character Sonny Hayes, a returning Formula 1 driver who took several years away from the track.

F1 premieres in theaters on Friday, June 27.