Ed Sheeran Debuts "Drive" with Mayer, Grohl on Kimmel

Ed Sheeran joined forces with an all-star lineup including John Mayer and Dave Grohl for the live debut of his rock track "Drive" on Jimmy Kimmel Live on January 15, 2026, bringing the high-energy sound of the F1 movie soundtrack to a national television audience in Los Angeles.

The performance featured Sheeran on electric guitar, leading a band that included Mayer and producer Blake Slatkin on guitar, Grohl on drums, session bassist Pino Palladino, Foo Fighters keyboardist Rami Jaffee, and two backing vocalists. Clips from the Brad Pitt-starring racing film played on screens behind the musicians, amplifying the song's adrenaline-fueled vibe. The rendition showcased interlocking bluesy riffs from the guitarists, Grohl's signature driving beats—including a standout drum fill—and Palladino's groovy bass lines, all delivered with palpable intensity. Sheeran had previously described the track as "a proper rock song," designed as "something you'd wanna turn up to the fullest amount whilst driving."

"Drive" originated as a collaboration sparked by the F1 film's summer 2025 release. Slatkin, who co-wrote and co-produced the song, recounted watching an early screening and immediately...