Why F1 bosses may have to ‘stick their hand in their pocket’ for Ferrari to attend 2025 launch event

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Ferrari and Lewis Hamilton will be the main attraction when Formula 1 hosts its first-ever season launch event in 2025. It will be the public’s first chance to get a glimpse of Hamilton in scarlet red.

As one of Britain’s all-time sporting greats, he should receive a particularly warm reception from the London crowd. Teammate Charles Leclerc will also be in attendance, as will team boss Fred Vasseur.

In fact, Formula 1’s announcement states that all 20 drivers and their team principals will be on stage at the O2 Arena. They will each be unveiling their new cars for the season ahead, though they may display their 2025 livery on an older or simplified model.

The event will take place on 18 February, just under a fortnight before the start of pre-season testing in Bahrain. The season then begins in Australia on 14 March.

While Hamilton will be the biggest draw after his seismic transfer, there are a whole host of drivers who will be wearing new overalls or making their debuts. That list includes Kimi Antonelli, the rookie who will be replacing Hamilton at Mercedes.

Liberty Media may have to pay Ferrari extra for 2025 season launch because they’re based in Italy

According to The Race’s Luke Hinsull, the ‘only way’ to get the ‘blessing’ of the Formula 1 teams was to stage the launch in London. Seven of the 10 are currently based in southern England.

Ferrari are the biggest exception, with RB (Faenza in Italy) and Sauber (Hinwil in Switzerland) also requiring flights. Commercial rights holders Liberty Media will have to ‘stick their hand in their pocket’ to pacify the trio.

However, they will understand that the event is still in their interests. It will push the sport ‘to the front and centre of people’s view’, even if they’re ‘outside the F1 bubble’.

Netflix’s Drive to Survive series has led to a huge surge in interest over the past few years. And the fanfare around Hamilton’s Ferrari move, the biggest change in a mixed-up grid, could bring in yet more new fans.

How much are tickets to Formula 1’s 2025 season launch event?

It’s not yet clear exactly how the night in London will be structured. The ceremony will last two hours and will feature special guests as well as the F1 personnel.

It may be that each team is given a time slot in which to launch their cars and carry out interviews. There may then be a moment where the 20 drivers and their new challengers are all on stage together.

Tickets, which go on sale on Friday, range from £58 to £113. The world has known about the Hamilton news for a year – Carlos Sainz Sr tipped off Toto Wolff – but that shouldn’t dampen the hype.

The Scuderia are already embracing the seven-time world champion. Hamilton will live in Enzo Ferrari’s house, a privilege no driver has enjoyed since Michael Schumacher.