Max Verstappen hopes to be “sick” during the 2025 F1 car unveiling week
Max Verstappen said a sentence during his last sim racing live that will spark controversy. The three-time world champion does not like the marketing obligations he has as an F1 driver and openly shows it.
On February 18, 2025, the stage of the O2 Arena in London will be the scene of a unique event in the history of Formula 1: the presentation of the 10 cars of the 2025 season and the drivers during a special evening. To celebrate the 75 years of the sport, all F1 teams will unveil their cars in a single spectacular evening, marking a turning point in the way these launches are usually organized. The official announcement of this event was made on Tuesday by F1, which specified that this special evening would not only consist of the simple presentation of the cars but would also offer live performances and entertainment for the audience. A complete event, therefore, that promises to delight F1 fans, especially since tickets will be on sale starting this Friday.
This F1 initiative deviates from the usual practice, as until now, each team chose its own date to present its car, often in a more intimate and quirky way. The idea of centralizing these launches in one place and on the same date is innovative and aims to create a strong moment around this celebration of the 75th anniversary of F1. The O2 Arena, capable of hosting up to 20,000 spectators, will therefore be the focal point of this evening. The event will also be broadcast live, with ticket sales opening tomorrow for those who wish to attend. While the announcement has sparked enthusiasm among some, such as George Russell, who expressed his joy on his social networks, other drivers seem less convinced by this approach.
“I hope I will be sick that week.”
Max Verstappen, driver for Red Bull team, did not hide his reservations about this new marketing approach with his friends. Known for his purist side, he made a remark that did not fail to make people smile live on the Internet: “I hope to be sick that week,” he joked during a livestream.
A comment that reflects Verstappen’s attitude well, not very inclined to too much show around F1. It’s not the first time that the Dutchman has shown reluctance towards certain innovations in the sport, such as sprint weekends, which he has always viewed with skepticism.
Max Verstappen was sanctioned by the FIA in recent weeks for using swear words in the press room and then decided to conduct his own interviews outside the press room. The president of the FIA made a point of reminding some drivers to be exemplary in their public communications, and apparently Max Verstappen is still 100% natural. He had been given community service as a sanction by the FIA.
The reactions of other drivers and F1 actors vary, but enthusiasm seems to be generally high for this unique celebration. While some, like Russell, are eagerly anticipating seeing the new generation of cars, others, like Verstappen, may not be as excited about the “show” aspect that this event involves. It remains to be seen whether the 2025 edition will mark a real turning point for F1 traditions or whether it will be perceived as excessive, as Liberty Media has shown in some events in recent months.
