The F1 75 Live event at London’s O2 arena marks the sport’s first major self-hosted launch event
In a groundbreaking move for the sport, Formula 1 drivers and teams gathered in London on Tuesday for the inaugural F1 75 Live event, marking the official start of the 2025 season. Held at the iconic O2 Arena, the event was a spectacular showcase of the sport’s growing global appeal and its efforts to reach beyond traditional motorsport fans.
The F1 75 Live event not only celebrated the series’ 75th anniversary but also signaled a new approach to launching the season. For the first time, Formula 1 hosted its own large-scale live event, breaking from the tradition of leaving car and driver presentations to individual teams. This innovative move was designed to unify the sport, offering fans a chance to see all 20 drivers and 10 teams come together for the first time before the start of the season.
Lewis Hamilton, one of the sport’s most recognizable figures, stole the spotlight with his entrance, wearing a Ferrari red tie — a subtle nod to the fierce competition that lies ahead. The star-studded evening included musical performances from a variety of artists, such as country singer Kane Brown, British pop band Take That, and American rapper Machine Gun Kelly, known as MGK. The two-hour live show not only brought excitement for the new season but also gave fans a taste of the entertainment that F1 is increasingly incorporating into its global events.
Throughout the show, the teams presented their 2025 liveries, showcasing the designs and color schemes of their cars for the upcoming season. However, in a change from past years, the teams did not unveil the actual race cars they would be using. While the official launch event served as a preview of the season, teams were still permitted to host their own separate events to reveal their cars, a trend that McLaren and Williams followed in the previous week.
This event is part of a broader strategy by Formula 1 to expand its audience beyond its core motorsport fanbase. F1 has been actively pursuing new ways to engage with global viewers, with races in major cities like Miami and Las Vegas and the release of an F1-themed movie starring Brad Pitt in June. The ongoing success of the Netflix series “Drive to Survive,” which has brought a new level of drama and excitement to the sport, continues to play a significant role in drawing in new fans and enhancing the global visibility of F1.
Zak Brown, the CEO of McLaren, spoke enthusiastically about the event and the growing appeal of F1. He noted, “To have this many fans out shows that we bring the sport together away from the racetrack. There’s a lot of excitement.” He also acknowledged the anticipated impact of the Brad Pitt movie, saying, “The Brad Pitt movie will no doubt create a huge amount of awareness for the sport. Netflix, I’m sure, knowing what happened last year, will be a drama-filled television show again, which has been great for all of us. So I think the sport’s going from strength to strength.”
While the event was generally well-received by the drivers and teams, not all were completely enamored by the spectacle. Two-time world champion Fernando Alonso, known for his candid opinions, expressed some reservations about the timing of such an event. He remarked that, while exciting, the launch event could prove to be a “little bit of a distraction” for drivers and teams in the lead-up to the start of the season. Alonso’s comments highlight the fine balance between maintaining focus on the task at hand and embracing the growing off-track entertainment opportunities that F1 is creating.
Despite any concerns, the energy and excitement surrounding the launch event were palpable. The event also underscored F1’s determination to continue expanding its global footprint. With a packed calendar of races in diverse locations, Formula 1 aims to build on its recent success and maintain its momentum as it enters the 2025 season.
The season will officially kick off with preseason testing next week at the Bahrain International Circuit, where teams and drivers will fine-tune their performance ahead of the opening race. The first race of the season, the Australian Grand Prix, will take place in Melbourne on March 16, setting the stage for what promises to be another thrilling season of Formula 1 action.
As the sport celebrates its 75th anniversary, it seems poised to continue its rapid evolution, blending motorsport excellence with an ever-expanding global entertainment appeal. The future of Formula 1 looks bright, as it continues to engage new fans, thrill its dedicated followers, and showcase some of the best drivers in the world. The launch event was just the beginning of an exciting season ahead.
