Ed Sheeran reveals how he crafted 'Drive' for Brad Pitt's 'F1'

Ed Sheeran says he stepped outside his usual ballad style to build a riff-driven, high-octane track for director Joseph Kosinski's racing film, "F1."

Producer Blake Slatkin told Variety he previewed an early 20-minute cut and immediately pitched the idea to Sheeran, who later screened footage with producer Jerry Bruckheimer. The team wanted a climactic piece tailored to the film's final sequence.

Sheeran recalled sending Slatkin a voice note that loosely sketched the chorus and the word "drive," meant to mimic an engine kicking to life. The aim, he said, was a 1970s-leaning rock energy: big riffs, precise drum hits, and a chorus that arrives right as the on-screen action peaks.

Slatkin added that the track showcases a heavier side of Sheeran's vocals that fans rarely hear. Sheeran admitted the song was tough to sing live and isn't currently part of his tour set list, but it delivered the punch the scene required.