Liberty Media plot major F1 change for 2025 after they saw something ‘pathetic’ from teams

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The 2025 Formula 1 season is already shaping up to be a classic. Lewis Hamilton is joining Ferrari in perhaps the biggest driver transfer the sport has ever seen, and his move has sparked a wider reshuffle.

Having lost his seat, Carlos Sainz joined Williams, where he will take on a long-term rebuilding job alongside Alex Albon. Mercedes, meanwhile, promoted prodigious academy talent Kimi Antonelli, who becomes the third-youngest driver in F1 history.

McLaren and Aston Martin have retained their line-ups, but Red Bull could sign a new teammate for Max Verstappen. Liam Lawson is in line to replace Sergio Perez if he impresses in his six-race stint at RB.

That, in turn, will determine the line-up at the junior team. Yuki Tsunoda is already locked in, but F2 title contender Isack Hadjar could become the fourth different rookie on the grid after Antonelli, Oliver Bearman (Haas) and Jack Doohan (Alpine).

Audi could yet increase that tally to five by loaning McLaren junior Gabriel Bortoleto. They’ve already signed Nico Hulkenberg, with Esteban Ocon replacing him at Haas.

The revamped grid should, in theory, be closer than ever. It’s the final year of the ground effect ruleset before the major 2026 regulation changes, so teams will be hitting the ceiling of their concepts.

Formula 1 could launch all 10 cars at the same time in 2025

According to Fuoritraiettoria, F1’s commercial rights holders Liberty Media want to launch the season in spectacular fashion. Their plan is to host an event at the O2 Arena in London where all 10 teams reveal their new cars.

They’ve marked 18 February, just over a week before testing begins in Bahrain, as a provisional date. It’s unclear whether Liberty will allow teams to present show cars – old models with new liveries.

But they want to avoid teams simply posting ‘pathetic CGI renderings’ on social media. They will still allow them to honour their commitments to their sponsors as much as possible.

If talks are successful, then F1 could formally announce the ceremony after the Brazilian GP. The O2 arena features 20,000 seats and holds up to 60,000 spectators, which could make for a lucrative event.

When will Lewis Hamilton drive a Ferrari for the first time?

If the collective car launch does take place, then the first glimpse of Hamilton and Ferrari will unquestionably be the main event. The location will only add to the clamour.

A recent report claimed that Hamilton could drive for Ferrari in the Abu Dhabi test. This follows the season finale at Yas Marina and is designed to prepare for 2025.

But Mercedes say they won’t release Hamilton until the end of the year. He remains under contract and must attend to sponsorship duties as part of his farewell.

Ferrari have won three races this year and taken 14 podiums, leaving them 75 points off leaders McLaren. While Zak Brown’s squad will enter next year as favourites, the Scuderia could feasibly contend for the title, along with current holders Red Bull and Hamilton’s former team Mercedes.