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Formula 1 marked the beginning of its 75th anniversary season with a dazzling two-hour televised arena show in London. The event aimed to engage a wider audience beyond sports enthusiasts, featuring music, glamour, and the unveiling of team liveries for the upcoming season.
The highlight of the show was the presence of seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton, who made a grand entrance in Ferrari red attire before revealing the Italian team's livery alongside teammate Charles Leclerc. Hamilton expressed his excitement for the new season, describing himself as 'invigorated' and proud to be part of the team.
Hosted at London's O2 arena, the F1 75 Live event was a departure from the traditional team-led launch events. The evening showcased elaborate team presentations, including a James Bond parody by Aston Martin and a comedic skit by Racing Bulls.
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The event featured musical performances by artists like Kane Brown, Take That, and Machine Gun Kelly, adding to the high-energy atmosphere. The 20 drivers were introduced on stage, standing alongside cars in their respective team liveries for the 2025 season.
While teams presented their 2025 liveries, the actual cars to be raced this season were not revealed. Teams like McLaren and Williams had already conducted their own launch events, with Ferrari scheduled to unveil their car the following day.
Formula 1's push to expand its audience includes plans for races in cities like Miami and Las Vegas, the release of a movie starring Brad Pitt in June, and the continued success of the 'Drive To Survive' series on Netflix.
Drivers welcomed the new launch format, though some expressed concerns about potential distractions during the crucial pre-season preparation period. Despite this, the event was well-received by fans and industry insiders alike.
As F1 gears up for its 75th anniversary season, the focus now shifts to preseason testing at the Bahrain International Circuit, leading up to the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on March 16.
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