What you need to know before the F1 2025 presentation ceremony in London
The 10 teams will unveil the look of their single-seaters for the 2025 season at a joint event at the O2 Arena on February 18.
Formula 1 will host F175, its first season livery launch party at the O2 Arena in London next month.
The 10 teams will be present, each having seven minutes to mark the event, by unveiling the livery of their respective car before pre-season testing and the first race of the year, at the Australian Grand Prix on March 16.
An unprecedented show
This is not a car launch since some teams have chosen to maintain their own separate event. It’s more about seeing what the cars will look like in terms of colors, sponsors, and other aesthetic aspects, all while aiming to bring fans closer during a year of celebration.
The teams that will organize their solo launches more traditionally before F175, such as Williams, which announced they will do it on February 14, will have to keep their official livery secret until the O2 event.
The order of appearance will be reversed compared to last season’s constructors’ championship standings, which means the evening will begin with Sauber taking the stage and culminate with McLaren unveiling its new look.
Teams can use the seven minutes as they see fit, whether for video content on a large screen that will dominate one end of the arena or to conduct interviews with their drivers, team directors, or other associated staff members. Incidentally, ticket sales in November sold out in less than 45 minutes. Whatever a team has planned must be pre-approved by F1 before the evening.
The event will also feature musical performances between the various launches, while a master of ceremonies will oversee proceedings, similar to events like the BRIT Awards. These comparisons also extend to the ground, where VIP tables will host special guests, with paid seating in the stands surrounding the venue.
The event was planned to help F1 kick off its 75th anniversary in grand style, in a way never seen before.
Read also: Mercedes breaks tradition and will not launch its F1 2025 at Silverstone
An event that divides
It is estimated that this year has been beneficial in convincing the teams of the idea, given that 2025 will be the last season of the current regulations. All teams are now fully involved, with Ferrari, who was hesitant when the F175 was announced, now seeing the opportunity to use this spectacular launch to unveil the signing of Lewis Hamilton.
Minimal performance changes will therefore be made, unlike in 2026, where the new rules will offer the opportunity to unveil each team’s interpretation of these new guidelines in as unique and dynamic a way as possible.
According to Autosport, some teams have already started to plan their individual launches for next year. Organizers are confident that all 20 drivers will be present, although world champion Max Verstappen initially joked by saying, “I hope to be sick that week.” Lando Norris also responded sarcastically by suggesting he might plan a vacation with his 2024 title rival.
Having all the drivers present is particularly important, not only for the organizers but also for the teams who will use the evening to welcome sponsors. This event aims to be the most memorable presentation, like a first sign of success for 2025.
It should last about two hours and has been positively received by at least one of the teams lower in the rankings, as these teams with smaller budgets can participate in a big launch event funded by the series, rather than by their own funds, thus providing a rare opportunity to shine.
No one really knows what will happen during the evening in terms of presentations and performances, but with Liberty Media showcasing F1’s 75th anniversary as a milestone occasion ahead of the 2025 season. Join us on February 18 at 9 PM to follow the event.
