On February 18, Formula 1 kicked off its 75th anniversary season with a huge event at London’s O2 Arena called F1 75 Live. For the first time, all ten teams gathered in one place to reveal their 2025 car liveries in a live show packed with lights, music, and celebrity appearances. It was a mix of motorsport and entertainment, designed to bring F1 to a wider audience. But was it a success?

The biggest talking point of the night was Lewis Hamilton stepping out in Ferrari red for the first time. The seven-time world champion was greeted with loud cheers as he spoke about his excitement for this new chapter in his career. His move to Ferrari has been one of the biggest stories in F1, and this was his first public appearance in his new colours.

But not everyone got such a warm welcome. Red Bull boss Christian Horner was loudly booed by the crowd. This reaction likely stems from past controversies, including accusations of misconduct, from which he was cleared. Still, it shows how divided opinions are about him.

The FIA also faced heavy booing when mentioned. Many fans have been frustrated with the governing body due to inconsistent rule enforcement, controversial penalties, and decisions that have impacted the outcome of races. The loud response at the show made it clear that a significant part of the audience is unhappy with how the sport is being managed, and it highlighted the ongoing tension between fans and the sport’s regulators.

The event was hosted by comedian Jack Whitehall, who kept things entertaining with jokes about the drivers and teams. One of the funniest moments was when he teased Hamilton and Charles Leclerc about playing chess backstage instead of paying attention to the show.

To add to the spectacle, there were live performances from big music stars like Machine Gun Kelly. While some traditional F1 fans questioned whether this belonged in a motorsport event, others saw it as a fun way to attract new fans.

The show was definitely a hit in terms of viewership. Over 1 million people watched it live on YouTube, with a total of 4.6 million tuning in overall. These numbers are record-breaking for an F1 launch, showing that the sport is more popular than ever.

Fans, however, had mixed opinions. Many liked the idea of all teams launching together rather than separate car reveals. It felt more exciting and gave fans a chance to see everything at once. But some people thought parts of the show were too long or focused too much on entertainment rather than the cars.

On social media and forums like Reddit, the debate continues. Some fans enjoyed the fresh approach, while others felt it was too much of a “Hollywood-style” event and not serious enough for a sport like F1.

F1 75 Live was something completely new for the sport. It brought together drivers, teams, and fans in a way we haven’t seen before. While traditionalists might prefer the old-school car launches, this event showed that F1 is serious about growing its audience and making the sport more entertaining. It might not have pleased everyone, but with record-breaking numbers and major moments like Hamilton’s Ferrari debut, it’s clear that F1 is heading in a new direction.