Javier Bardem covers GQ España with a story photographed by Michael Schwartz and styled by Fabio Immediato at the Hummingbird Temple in Los Angeles. Bardem appears on the cover as he prepares for the release of his latest film, F1, which speeds into theaters June 27, 2025.
Javier Bardem for GQ España
Bardem pulls back the curtain on the intensity of F1 with the same honesty that marks his performances. “I thought, ‘Wow, this is real sh*t.’” For Bardem, stepping into the world of Formula 1 meant a steep learning curve. “It’s not that I don’t like it; I barely know how to drive. It’s a world that is kind of far from me, and I really learned to respect it.”
Javier Bardem’s observations on the paddock capture a different kind of drama. On set and on the track, Bardem witnessed the power and vulnerability in those who appear in control.
“Do these people that have so much power, so much money, so much control over things lose control? And the answer is, oh yeah, in a big way… You see all these people who are so well-dressed losing their sh*t. They rub their hands, and they throw sh*t to the floor, and they scream, and they cry, and they laugh.”
Bardem’s sense of duty extends beyond the screen. On the subject of Gaza, he speaks plainly: “This is a human rights situation beyond religion, beyond politics. It needs to be solved as it should be, which is through justice – through prosecution of those who are responsible. In this case, Netanyahu and his cabinet, and of course, those responsible for the murders of October 7 from Hamas.”
On working with his wife Penélope Cruz, Bardem’s focus returns to home. “Of course, we are comfortable with each other, which helps to be able to know how far you can go. Also to unfold when the day ends, because we have a way more important thing to do at home than any other movie: to be a father and a mother.”
For Bardem, every experience offers something if you stay open. The lesson he carries forward remains clear. “I think everything teaches you if you’re open to learning.”
