F1 75: Hamilton, Leclerc headline grand London season launch

Formula 1 kicked off its 75th season in style with a high-profile launch event at London’s O2 Arena, blending sport, entertainment, and spectacle in an effort to broaden its audience.

The F1 75 Live event, the first of its kind, saw all 20 drivers take the stage alongside their teams’ 2025 liveries.

Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, making his Ferrari debut, drew attention in a full race suit after arriving in a red tie, symbolising his new team.

“Invigorated,” he said when asked to describe his mood ahead of the new season. “I feel so full of life and energy because everything’s new.”

The event featured extravagant team presentations, including a James Bond-themed segment for Aston Martin, drummers with glowing sticks, and title-winning McLarens on display. The Racing Bulls team introduced themselves with a comedic skit playing on their sponsor-heavy name.

The crowd, packed with F1 fans, brought unpredictability, with some boos for FIA mentions amid ongoing disputes over rule enforcement and Red Bull team principal Christian Horner.

Musical performances from country singer Kane Brown, British band Take That, and rapper MGK added to the show’s entertainment factor.

F1 continues to push beyond its traditional audience, with races in cities like Miami and Las Vegas, the upcoming Brad Pitt-led “F1” film, and the enduring success of Netflix’s “Drive to Survive.”

“To have this many fans out shows that we bring the sport together away from the racetrack,” McLaren CEO Zak Brown said. “The Brad Pitt movie will no doubt create huge awareness, and Netflix will surely deliver another drama-filled season.”

While many drivers welcomed the large-scale launch, two-time champion Fernando Alonso cautioned that it could be a “distraction” during critical pre-season preparations.

F1’s pre-season testing begins next week in Bahrain, with the Australian Grand Prix set to open the season on 16 March.