Hollywood star Adam Driver has revealed a heart-stopping encounter behind the wheel of a Ferrari that left two of cinema's most respected directors completely astonished. The Star Wars actor shared the remarkable story during a recent interview, detailing how his high-speed driving prowess shocked both Francis Ford Coppola and Steven Soderbergh.
The Need for Speed
Driver, known for his intense dedication to roles, was preparing for Michael Mann's upcoming racing film Ferrari when he decided to put his driving skills to the ultimate test. The actor enrolled in a three-day professional racing course at the prestigious Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving in Arizona.
"I wanted to be as prepared as possible," Driver explained. "So I went to this racing school and learned how to drive these high-performance cars at incredible speeds."
A Director's Disbelief
The real drama unfolded when Driver found himself in Italy, preparing to work with Francis Ford Coppola on Megalopolis. During downtime from filming, the actor visited Ferrari's private test track in Fiorano, where he was given the opportunity to drive one of the legendary sports cars.
"I was driving around this track, pushing the car to its limits," Driver recalled. "Suddenly I look in my rearview mirror and there's Francis Ford Coppola and Steven Soderbergh standing there, watching me with their jaws on the floor."
Hollywood's Reaction
The sight of the actor expertly handling the powerful Ferrari at breakneck speeds left both Oscar-winning directors completely stunned. Driver described their reaction as one of pure disbelief at his unexpected racing capabilities.
"They couldn't believe what they were seeing," he said. "Here I was, an actor they knew from dramatic roles, tearing up the track like a professional driver. The looks on their faces were absolutely priceless."
Proving His Mettle
This isn't the first time Driver has surprised Hollywood with his commitment to authenticity. The actor has built a reputation for throwing himself completely into his roles, whether learning opera singing for Marriage Story or mastering racing for his upcoming projects.
His dedication to the craft extends beyond just acting, with Driver emphasizing the importance of genuine experience in creating believable performances. The Ferrari incident serves as yet another example of how far the actor will go to perfect his craft.
The story has since become legendary among Hollywood circles, with both Coppola and Soderbergh reportedly sharing their astonishment at Driver's unexpected driving talents with other industry insiders.
