Mark your calendars! On April 16, “Rapide” hits the big screen, telling the story of Max, a female racer determined to make it into Formula 1 despite the barriers she faces. Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at how the movie took shape.
The Beginning of the Project
From day one, the film production company RADAR FILMS reached out to WINFIELD. The goal was simple: to find a balance between staying true to the world of motorsport and creating a story that would captivate and inspire the audience. After all, a film about racing is not just about cars—it’s about the atmosphere, the culture and the codes that truly resonate with petrolheads.
WINFIELD played a key role right from the start, offering input during the script review process. Fun fact: we played our own role in the movie! The racing school represents the first step into motorsport for Max, the main character. A nice reference to our daily work, and our role in shaping the drivers of tomorrow.
Tackling the Technical Challenges
Filming a motorsport movie is all except easy. Imagine race cars, built for speed and performance, used in less-than-ideal conditions: driving on chaotic roads with slick tires, filming at low speeds without risking engine overheating, simulating high-speed scenes at 200 km/h with special effects like smoke and sparks flying… These extreme situations pushed the teams to get creative long before the cameras even started rolling.
The repeated race starts required for multiple takes, putting a significant strain on the clutches, forcing mechanics to remain vigilant. Engineers had to keep a close eye on engine temperatures during sequences where the race cars were chasing the camera car. It was a constant juggling act.
And above all, safety was the priority. Managing risks tied to high speeds and visual effects was a serious job—no room for error!
Filming of the movie “Rapide” at the Winfield Racing School facilities in June 2024
Above All, A Human Adventure
What made this collaboration really exciting was the balance between two worlds: motorsport, with its precision and technical demands, and cinema, with its goal of capturing raw emotion and creating a story. For WINFIELD, this project was an opportunity to move beyond the track and show a different side of motorsport, introducing it to an even wider audience.
But, just as importantly, the human aspect of the project was memorable. Over 50 members of the WINFIELD staff—stunt drivers, mechanics, and more—worked closely with the director, technicians and actors. The result? A teamwork dynamic where everyone’s expertise came together to elevate the entire project.
Track driving scene at the Circuit de Haute Saintonge in June 2024
Stuntmen ‘Made in Winfield’
For this film, we called up our best talents—young racers who trained at Winfield that have since then turned professional. Since they had already raced with these cars, they were able to execute precise maneuvers, placing the wheels down to the millimeter and anticipating the car’s every reaction. To complement them, professional instructor-coaches also guided the film’s toughest sequences with their racing expertise.
Stunt scene at the Circuit de Haute Saintonge in June 2024
Want to know more about the behind-the-scenes action? The second part of this article, focused on all the stunt scenes, will be available on April 16th, the same day the film is released. Stay tuned!
