Apple has created a unique camera system using iPhone components to capture high-speed footage from Formula 1 cars for its upcoming film 'F1: The Movie,' as reported by WIRED. The project involved replacing standard F1 broadcast cameras with a specially designed module built around an iPhone camera sensor and powered by an A-series chip.

Filmmakers wanted to capture authentic racing footage from the driver's perspective using real Formula 1 cars. However, the limitations of F1 car design, such as aerodynamics and weight, made it impossible to mount a traditional cinema camera. While standard onboard cameras used in live F1 broadcasts are suitable for TV, they do not meet the visual standards required for film production.

Apple's engineering team was challenged to create a new camera system that could meet the technical demands of Formula 1 while fulfilling modern filmmaking needs. The final module, engineered to fit in the same space as official F1 broadcast cameras, was designed to match their weight to comply with Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) regulations. It was also tested for durability, surpassing the specifications of standard F1 broadcast equipment.

The module features a 48-megapixel image sensor from the iPhone 15 Pro and is paired with an Apple A-series processor, likely the A17 Pro. It can capture high-resolution video in ProRes Log format, giving the production team more control over dynamic range and color grading. Apple also included a physical neutral density (ND) filter in the lens system for better exposure control in varying lighting conditions.

Running a custom version of iOS with firmware tailored for this purpose, Apple states that this firmware influenced new features in the iPhone 15 Pro, such as Log encoding and support for the Academy Color Encoding System (ACES) workflow.

Due to F1 regulations prohibiting onboard wireless systems, Apple developed an iPad app to act as a wired control interface for the camera. Filmmakers could connect the iPad to the module via USB-C to adjust recording settings like ISO, shutter angle, white balance, frame rate, and start/stop functions. The footage was stored locally on the module and later retrieved.

'F1: The Movie' will premiere internationally on June 25 and in U.S. theaters and IMAX on June 27.