F1’s pre-season launch event, explained

One week from tonight, the 2025 Formula 1 season will begin in unprecedented fashion.

With the upcoming 2025 F1 season marking the 75th in the history of the sport, the year will begin with the first-ever season launch event, at The O2 in London. On Tuesday, February 18th all ten F1 teams will gather to unveil their liveries for the upcoming season, introduce their drivers and team principals, and celebrate the sport ahead of its anniversary campaign.

When the sport announced the event last November a press release promised an immersive experience for F1 fans.

“The incredible evening will see fans immersed in the drama and spectacle that is Formula 1, as they join the teams to unveil their 2025 liveries and the upcoming season’s driver line-ups. During the interactive event guests can also expect interviews with the key figures from the sport, including drivers and Team Principals, as well as top entertainment and special guest presenters.”

F1 provided an update on Tuesday, a week ahead of the unprecedented season launch event, giving more information on what fans can expect and how they can watch from around the world.

“More than 15,000 fans in the arena will enjoy the incredible spectacle up close, and fans at home won’t miss out either, with Formula 1 broadcasters from around the globe confirming they will televise the event live. It will also be streamed for free on F1’s social media channels, including YouTube. There will be red carpet arrivals from drivers, Team Principals and celebrities, entertainment from world-class acts and the all-important livery reveal that will showcase the cars that will go head-to-head for the 2025 season.”

Furthermore, F1 outlined that each team will have the opportunity during their livery reveal to showcase “each team’s identity” during the event:

“Working closely with creative visionary Brian Burke of BrianBurkeCreative, and alongside Stufish Entertainment Architects, DX7 Design, and production company 1826, each team has been given creative licence to make their livery unveil truly unique. Throughout the evening, fans will be on the edge of their seats as they are taken on a journey that celebrates F1’s history and showcases each team’s identity.”

However, in addition to the event next Tuesday at The O2, many teams will also hold their own events to launch their challengers for the upcoming season. For example Williams, who announced Tuesday that software company Atlassian was joining the team as a title sponsor on a “multi-year” deal, will launch the FW47 at an event at Silverstone on Friday.

“For the first time we will bring together our fans, all 20 superstars of our sport and some very special guests to officially kick off our new season and mark our 75th year of racing,” said F1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali back in November. “With 2025 set to be a classic season following all the drama so far in 2024, this is a fantastic opportunity for fans of all ages to experience up-close the incredible entertainment spectacle that is Formula 1.”

“The FIA is delighted to join our colleagues at FOM and all the teams in the staging of the inaugural Formula 1 season launch event,” said FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem last fall. “The occasion will also serve as a fitting prelude to a celebration of the 75th anniversary of the sport throughout the 2025 season.”