Renowned musicians Ed Sheeran and John Mayer, alongside producer Blake Slatkin, have unveiled insights into their collaborative process for the song “Drive” from the “F1” soundtrack. Released as the fifth single on June 20, 2025, this track captures the film’s essence and aims to resonate with audiences as they exit the cinema. This exploration into their creative journey reveals the interplay of talent and inspiration that brought “Drive” to life.
The Spark of Inspiration
In an enlightening discussion during Variety’s Behind the Song, Slatkin shared that the genesis of “Drive” began right after watching the film. Receiving a call from Atlantic Records, he immediately envisioned creating a song with Sheeran and Mayer that would encapsulate the film’s spirit. Slatkin recalled, “I walked out of the screening room and called Ed and John at the same time, and was like, we have to make a song for this.”
After viewing specific movie scenes intended for the soundtrack, the trio decided to focus on a pivotal moment. Slatkin described their choice: “The one that all of us kind of wanted was the Brad Pitt riding into the sunset piece.” With Sheeran adding, “As people leave the cinema, that’s the song they leave on.”
Crafting the Musical Foundation
Mayer, in particular, was keen on infusing a rock-and-roll vibe into the composition. He noted that within minutes of starting their session, he developed a rock riff that laid the groundwork for the song. Speaking about Sheeran’s songwriting prowess, Mayer remarked, “Ed’s ability to intuit a song… I’ve never seen anyone like it, really.”
While Sheeran traveled back to England, the group coordinated across time zones to develop the lyrics. Sheeran, during a casual gathering in England, penned the words to “Drive” and promptly shared them with Slatkin. “We had a time that we were supposed to write lyrics together, and I sent it to Ed,” Slatkin noted.
The Perfect Collaboration
To complete the track, the musicians sought a drummer with the right touch. Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl became the obvious choice, refining the song’s tempo to perfection. Slatkin reflected on Grohl’s contribution: “The second Dave played it, it was like, ‘Oh, this is perfect.’”
Mayer emphasized the importance of balancing rock elements with pop sensibilities, fine-tuning the song to highlight Sheeran’s vocal strength. Sheeran’s unique vocal energy was described as “a generational vocal performance.” Mayer elaborated, “Ed has an overdrive in his voice that you don’t normally hear.”
Keyboardist Rami Jaffee and bassist Pino Palladino also contributed to the track, rounding out the musical ensemble. Slatkin praised the organic nature of their collaboration, stating, “It’s just humans in a room, which I think is really special.”
A Standout Soundtrack
“Drive” not only resonated with filmgoers but also garnered critical acclaim, peaking at number 49 on the UK Singles Chart. Billboard recognized it as the standout track among the film’s 17-song lineup, solidifying its impact.
Watch the video above to experience the journey behind “Drive” and see how Sheeran and Mayer’s creative synergy brought this unforgettable song to life.
