Simone Ashley is showing support for her F1 collaborators despite her role being left on the cutting room floor.
Though it was announced in July 2024 that Ashley, 30, was cast in the Formula One racing drama, director Joseph Kosinski recently confirmed to PEOPLE that the Bridgerton star's part was ultimately cut from the final film.
On Monday, June 23, Ashley attended the film's European premiere that was held at Cineworld Leicester Square in London, smiling and posing for photos on the red carpet.
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Ashley had previously been photographed filming F1 scenes and more recently appeared at a Miami event alongside costar Kerry Condon and producer Jerry Bruckheimer. Speaking to ELLE earlier in June, she said, "I have a very small part, but I’m grateful to be in that movie… I got to experience many Grands Prix. I don’t think I’ll ever do anything like that again."
As Kosinski, 51, recently explained to PEOPLE, the storyline of Ashley’s character was one of a few “that ultimately didn’t make into the final cut. … It happens on every film, where you have to shoot more than you can use.”
Kosinski called the British star “an incredible talent, incredible actress, incredible singer, and I would love to work with her again.” He also told Entertainment Tonight that he had broken the news of Ashley’s removal to the actress herself.
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Brad Pitt leads F1 as a retired racer returning to Formula One in a fictional team. The Ehren Kruger-written film, made in collaboration with real-life F1 athletes like producer Lewis Hamilton, also stars Damson Idris, Tobias Menzies, Kim Bodnia and Javier Bardem.
Ashley previously told Who What Wear in March that production on the film had been "going for years" as she revealed how long her role was in the works.
"I met for this movie, I think, before Bridgerton even came out. It's been a long time, and you know, it's Damson and Brad's movie. I'm just so grateful that I can be part of it."
F1 is in theaters June 27.