Peter Lyon
March 2, 2025
So did you all see the recent F1 75 Live event from London?
A new era of Formula 1 is here. At a first-ever F1 extravaganza event at London’s O2 Arena, all of the drivers and liveries were unveiled at a single ceremony just over a week ago. It was the most obvious indication yet that Formula 1 has entered the elite table of sports entertainment, along with events like the Olympics and the NFL Super Bowl.
Along with F1’s usual presenters like Martin Brundle, comedian Jack Whitehall hosted the show, which sold out in a matter of minutes. Take That and Machine Gun Kelly provided the music which was at times rather pitchy, not surprising coming from a band that was popular 40 years ago. Although it seems like a strange combination on paper, the event was a well-thought-out plan to cater to all F1 fan demographics. The outcome fell halfway between the Super Bowl halftime show and X-Factor, and yes it was successful.
Drivers and celebrities were the brunt of jokes in between the livery and team reveals. While drivers appeared perplexed but cooperated, Christian Horner, Max Verstappen, and the FIA organisation itself received the loudest boos of the night. We also got a fresh look at the Formula One movie that will be released later this year. Drive to Survive is the television show that made Formula One popular throughout the world. So what will “F1 The Movie” accomplish? Time will tell.
Every team had a slot to occupy, and the reveals differed greatly; some were lengthy, and some were too loud. After finishing last in the constructors’ championship the previous year, the team that will now be known as Audi got things started. It was an opportunity to view their new driver lineup, which included Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto, with the former receiving one of the night’s loudest cheers from the audience.
It was also an opportunity to meet Mattia Binotto, the former principal of the Ferrari team, who is currently overseeing the team’s switch to the full-works Audi outfit.
While Max was being booed, the crowd found their admiration for 7-time world champion Lewis Hamilton who will start with Ferrari this year, and of course the McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.
Take That succeeding with one of their supermarket advert bangers was a sign that the event had gone quite well. Jack Whitehall was a solid MC who went a little further than you’d expect and provided enough non-racing entertainment for more casual fans to stay tuned. All in all, then, it was an interesting way to really crank interest up after the off-season.
CARLIST THOUGHTS
Such a sold-out night was only possible thanks to the huge boost Netflix’s Drive To Survive series has had around the world over the past several years, especially in America. And the fact the Britain’s McLaren are world champs while Sir Lewis Hamilton has just switched from Mercedes to Ferrari gave that extra boost to the electricity in the arena. Watch out for the season opener in Melbourne on March 16.
