As Rapide hits the theaters, let’s talk about what went on behind the scenes. How do you prepare actors to step into the world of racing? What about choreographing crashes without losing realism? Here’s how we did it.
Stunts Gone Right
The most complex technical challenge? Definitely coordinating the stunts and off-track moments. Unlike real races where the goal is NOT to crash, some of these scenes required creating intentional contact while keeping drivers safe and making sure the cars didn’t suffer too much damage. The choreography was written and sketched out, walked through on foot around the track, and sometimes even tested with regular cars before the real action.
What makes single-seaters tricky are their exposed wheels, that make contacts even riskier. In one of the driving battle scenes, if the wheels of the two cars didn’t touch just right (almost to the millimeter), a rollover was almost certain! Moreover, If the « bump » was too hard: there was a risk of major damage. Too soft? It wouldn’t look real. Stunt drivers had to find the right balance between safety and realism.
It was probably one of the most dangerous scenes to film, but thanks to the drivers’ precision and control, the result is eventually convincing!
Adrien Closmenil, young professional driver and stuntman of Paola Locatelli
Yes, the Actors Drove Too!
Surprise: it’s not all stunt doubles in the cars. The director Morgan S. Dalibert was keen on having Paola (Max) behind the wheel as much as possible, even for some dynamic scenes. So, we worked with the stunt team to create a custom tow-rig system, allowing her to “drive” safely while maintaining high-speed realism.
The entire main cast (Paola Locatelli, Alban Lenoir and Rik Kleve) was also trained in racing techniques at Winfield Racing School. Even for cockpit scenes in static shots, their posture, hand movements, and reactions had to be 100% accurate.
The director, Morgan S. Dalibert, also jumped into the driver’s seat and went through the same driving training to truly feel and understand what it’s like to drive a single-seater. This hands-on experience helped him add the perfect touch of realism to the action scenes.
Paola Locatelli during her Formula 4 driving training at the Circuit Paul Ricard in April 2024
When Fiction Becomes Reality
One of the wildest moments of this whole adventure? Officially entering Max’s car, and the fictional THUNDER team, into a real championship without disrupting the ongoing competition.
The Ultimate Cup European Series really played along and hosted us during their round in Portimão. With the film crew, the performance goals for the car, and the unpredictable nature of real racing against actual competitors… let’s just say it was an intense weekend!
And here’s the crazy part: the stunt driver, Adrien Closmenil, actually won the race, beating real championship competitors. Now that’s how movie magic meets motorsport reality.
Adrien Closmenil on the podium of the Ultimate Cup European Series during filming in Portimão on race weekend
A Tribute to Racing Ambition
We poured our hearts, skills, and passion into making sure this film delivers an authentic motorsport experience. More than that, we hope “RAPIDE” inspires future racers, especially young women, to chase their dreams in motorsport, just like Max in the film.
A huge thank you to Radar Films for their trust and to everyone who contributed to this once-in-a-lifetime experience!
