Formula 1 has just made history with F1 75 Live, an unprecedented event where all the teams unveiled their single-seaters for the 2025 season in a show truly worthy of a concert.
Between light shows, musical performances, and theatrical presentations, the event held at the O2 Arena in London attracted over 20,000 spectators on-site and 7.5 million viewers online. It seems like a success, but did the experience really win over all the fans? While the staging impressed, some lamented that the show sometimes dragged on too long, to the detriment of the content.
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A staging worthy of the greatest shows
For a debut, F1 75 Live pulled out all the stops. The ten teams had seven minutes each to present their single-seaters, with complete freedom in their staging. Some focused on heritage and emotion, like Williams, which paid homage to Sir Frank Williams, while Aston Martin opted for a spectacular outboard entry on the Thames, a nod to James Bond. The atmosphere was electric at the O2 Arena and online, where 1.1 million viewers tuned in simultaneously on YouTube. With a stage overlooking a massive LED screen, each team showcased its identity—such as Sauber with its cyberpunk look in black and neon green, or Alpine, which surprised with an electro DJ set by Brian Tyler, composer of the official F1 anthem.
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A mixed reception, between enthusiasm and drag
While the concept pleased a large part of the audience, some segments divided opinions. British fans did not hesitate to boo Max Verstappen, Christian Horner, and even the FIA during their on-stage appearances. Meanwhile, celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay couldn’t resist dropping a well-timed swear word when asked about the new ban on insults in F1.
But it was mainly the pace of the event that eventually bored some viewers. Too long, too disjointed—some presentations struggled to hold attention, especially towards the end of the evening. Mercedes and Red Bull, though highly anticipated, suffered from this sluggishness, to the point that even Verstappen seemed as impatient as the crowd to see the event end.
A commercial success that sets the stage for the future
Despite these criticisms, F1 75 Live was an impressive showcase for the sport. Broadcast on 42 sports channels in 37 countries, the event helped attract a new audience and laid the groundwork for a more modern and accessible Formula 1. The evening also featured a clip from the upcoming F1 film with Brad Pitt, which promises to further popularize the sport internationally. In short, it was a successful event and the best way to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Formula 1.
This article explores how F1 75 Live marked a key milestone in the media coverage of the championship. Between a grand spectacle and criticisms of its length, the event divided opinions but also confirmed F1’s ambition to attract an ever-wider audience.
