If I were feeling particularly generous, I might rate the F1 75 Live launch event at 75%. Despite that generosity, there’s no denying that there were more positives than negatives by the end of this flashy kickoff for Formula 1’s 75th season.
From the early hours, eager crowds gathered, knowing they would see teams present throughout the day. The event featured a succession of press conferences with drivers circulating around London’s O2 Arena, creating a constant buzz. Ferrari was the standout absentee from these sessions, which felt similar to the media days preceding every race weekend. Yet, there was an IndyCar-like vibe as drivers moved through the makeshift media center, generally relaxed and enthusiastic about the upcoming season.
However, there were some mixed feelings as the event approached showtime. George Russell expressed it well: “I think we need to be open-minded about these things. Formula 1 and Liberty have done incredible work over these past years. There was initial skepticism about Netflix, and look how that impacted the sport.”
“Sure, some might not want to be here, seeing it as just another sponsor event, but this could be big for the sport. It’s our way of appreciating the fans, the core of what makes the sport so vibrant. Keeping an open mind, I’m sure it will turn out to be fun.”
George’s comments seemed to be a subtle jab at Max Verstappen, who didn’t hide his lack of enthusiasm. His involvement was limited to a brief appearance at the show’s start and a wave during the livery reveal. Red Bull’s drivers kept to themselves, which might have been wise given the boos from the largely British crowd whenever Verstappen was mentioned. Christian Horner also faced a chilly reception, whereas Lewis Hamilton, donning Ferrari red, basked in the audience’s adoration.
Just the day before, Hamilton had urged everyone to keep an open mind and not to judge the event prematurely. He noted that many were being negative based on assumptions rather than the event itself.
His point was valid, considering the strong start. The energy in the arena was palpable as Machine Gun Kelly took the stage to hype up a packed house. Host Jack Whitehall followed with an engaging performance, delivering humor that was both sharp and insightful, remarking, “You know your sport has money to burn when you book the O2 for unveiling car colors that are identical to last year’s.”
Whitehall was a hit, but there were certainly areas that could be refined. While a live audience doesn’t hold back, especially when thanking the FIA and Pirelli, the event did become a bit predictable as each of the ten teams followed a similar livery presentation.
Initially, there was an incredible buzz in the arena, especially when Stake got things underway. Who would have thought Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto would draw such excitement? Yet, as the show wore on, the momentum started to fade. Although McLaren managed to hold the crowd’s attention after the Hamilton excitement, the choice of closing act, Take That, fell flat with F1’s target audience.
By the time Take That wrapped up, many had already left, unaware that the entire grid would gather one last time on stage. Carlos Sainz had wisely anticipated that such a major event couldn’t be flawless.
“I think it’s a good concept,” Sainz remarked. “The idea and drive behind it make sense. There will be aspects to improve on, but the core notion of uniting all the teams to kick off the season resonates with me. Other sports have achieved this successfully. In the future, maybe we can streamline the car presentations, even centralize them, but I’m on board with the concept.”
As for the car showcases, not all teams nailed it. Haas was the first to rotate its VF-25 on stage so everyone could admire it. Many segments relied heavily on pre-recorded videos, impressive as they were, for an audience paying a premium for live attendance.
The crowd’s engagement clearly demonstrated the enthusiasm for such an event. While F1 can sometimes lose itself in its own bubble, it was important not to overestimate the relevance of specific features. Tuesday night served as a vivid reminder of the passion and dedication of its fan base.
Offering tens of thousands of fans a chance to feel integrated into the excitement before the cars hit the track in Bahrain for pre-season testing was undoubtedly a favorable step. It signaled exciting days ahead for the new season.
There’s plenty of room for fine-tuning, but hopefully, this pilot event will evolve into an even more exhilarating launch in the future.
