LONDON — Formula 1 officially launched its 75th anniversary season with an extravagant event filled with entertainment and excitement on Tuesday. The series hosted a two-hour televised show at the O2 arena in London, aiming to engage fans beyond traditional sports viewership.
Lewis Hamilton made a striking entrance, donning a Ferrari red tie for his highly anticipated first event with the new team. The celebrated seven-time world champion received enthusiastic applause as he presented the team’s new livery alongside fellow driver Charles Leclerc while dressed in a full race suit. When asked about his feelings regarding the upcoming season, Hamilton described himself as “invigorated,” expressing he felt brimming with energy and excitement for what lies ahead. He conveyed his pride in being part of a new and thrilling chapter with his team.
The F1 75 Live extravaganza was a pioneering effort by the sport to organize a large-scale launch event, breaking away from the tradition of individual teams hosting their own unveilings. The spectacle featured all 20 drivers standing on a stage that mimicked the racing grid, accompanied by the cars showcasing each team’s livery for 2025. The presentations were lavish, incorporating elements like a James Bond-themed skit from Aston Martin, drummers with illuminated sticks, cars descending the stage on motorized platforms, a display of championship-winning McLaren vehicles, and a humorous sketch poking fun at Racing Bulls’ sponsorship-laden name.
Audience interactions added an element of unpredictability, with some fans booing a mention of the FIA, the sport’s governing body, amid ongoing tensions regarding the enforcement of penalties, and expressing discontent towards Red Bull’s team principal Christian Horner. The show also featured live musical performances, including country star Kane Brown, who presented Haas, the British group Take That, and American rapper Machine Gun Kelly, who delivered a dynamic, guitar-driven introduction.
While teams revealed their 2025 liveries during the event, they are still permitted to hold separate launch celebrations for their actual race cars, as demonstrated by McLaren and Williams last week, with Ferrari slated to present on Wednesday.
This initiative aligns with F1’s strategy to broaden its audience, launching races in cities like Miami and Las Vegas, featuring an upcoming film starring Brad Pitt titled “F1” in June, and capitalizing on the popularity of the Netflix series “Drive To Survive.”
McLaren CEO Zak Brown noted the significance of the fan turnout, underscoring that it reflects the sport’s ability to engage enthusiasts outside of the racetrack and generate excitement. He added that the movie starring Pitt is likely to boost awareness of Formula 1, and the anticipated Netflix series is set to deliver compelling drama, which bodes well for the franchise’s continued growth.
Although the launch event received a generally positive reception from drivers, two-time champion Fernando Alonso cautioned that it might serve as “a little bit of distraction” during an important time for teams and drivers preparing for the season ahead. When questioned about the likelihood of making the event a regular occurrence, Horner implied that its continuation would depend on its financial viability, suggesting that it could indeed become a yearly highlight.
As F1 gears up for its 75th anniversary season, preparations are in full swing. Preseason testing is set to commence next week at Bahrain International Circuit, with the first race scheduled for the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on March 16.
