Daniel Bruhl talks chemistry on the set of "Rush"

While "Rush" may be about the intense rivalry between legendary Formula One drivers James Hunt and Niki Lauda, the actors portraying them had immediate chemistry, according to Daniel Bruhl, who plays Niki Lauda in the film.

"We had very good chemistry from the beginning," Bruhl told ET before the New York premiere of "Rush." "We didn't need to create that fake rivalry between us. We didn't need that. We preferred to be in a good relationship with each other, exchange information and work together on it."

PICS: Hollywood's hottest movie posters!

"At the end of the movie," Bruhl explained, "You see that these two guys, both drivers, also had very good chemistry and beneath all the rivalry there was a deep respect for each other. And that's what I felt for Chris [Hemsworth]."

Looking over at Hemsworth, who had just arrived on the red carpet, Bruhl joked, "I think he felt the same for me too."

In the film, Hunt and Lauda share a rivalry that almost makes them enemies. When Lauda has a near-fatal and very damaging crash, it is their rivalry that encourages him to get better, so he can race against Hunt again.

RELATED: Hemsworth: "Rush" sex scenes were "daunting"

Check out the video for more from Bruhl and Hemsworth about what it's like to be in such a critically acclaimed film.

Rush, directed by Oscar winner Ron Howard, is set to hit theaters Sept. 27.