Why Lewis Hamilton might get ‘special dispensation’ at F1’s 75 launch event ahead of Ferrari move

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Formula 1 are already putting plans in place for the sport’s 75th anniversary in 2025.

The reputation and reach of F1 have increased astronomically in recent years, with each race now a huge international event.

The upcoming Las Vegas Grand Prix – taking place late at night on a Saturday evening, bringing the city to a standstill – highlights the sacrifices cities and countries will make to host the sport.

F1 is also a sport steeped in history, and even though many fans were introduced to the sport by Drive to Survive, they understand that the achievements of drivers from previous generations give context to what the likes of Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton are doing now.

There are plenty of storylines developing ahead of the 2025 season already, but one happening at Ferrari is likely to grab the most headlines.

Hamilton will join Ferrari next year, creating a partnership between the sport’s most successful driver and team.

Normally, this would mean a huge launch event at the team’s factory at Maranello, but things are being done differently next year.

Journalist Lawrence Barretto was speaking on the Pad-Hoc Podcast about the car unveiling taking place at the O2 in London next season.

He believes that while all 10 teams will unveil their new liveries at the launch, F1 may have to give Ferrari and Hamilton ‘special dispensation’ to organise their own unveiling.

Lewis Hamilton might receive ‘special dispensation’ ahead of F1 75th anniversary launch event

All 10 teams and each of the 20 drivers on the grid next year will be in attendance at the event.

It’s expected that F1 will make sure no team can launch their cars to the public ahead of the unveiling to provide the maximum amount of excitement around the one-off celebration.

READ MORE: Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton’s life outside F1 from net worth to family

However, when talking about how Ferrari and Hamilton will want to do their own thing, Barretto said: “I think the hope is that that will be the first time you’ll see the teams unveil their liveries and stuff.

“You mentioned Lewis. I guess there might be some special dispensation for Ferrari to announce Lewis effectively as their driver at some point, but I guess that doesn’t have to technically be their launch.

“They could just announce that Lewis is driving.”

Co-host and journalist Nate Saunders added: “Yeah. I think he’s doing laps at Fiorano at some point. So I imagine that’ll be beforehand.”

Ferrari looking forward to one of their most exciting F1 campaigns in years with Hamilton and Leclerc

With three races remaining, Ferrari will still have all of their focus on finishing this season in the best position possible.

They could win their first Constructors’ Championship in 16 years if they can overturn a 36-point deficit to McLaren by the time the chequered flag flies in Abu Dhabi.

Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz have both driven brilliantly and the development curve of the SF-24 suggests next year’s car could be even quicker.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Scuderia Ferrari from team principal to factory

Hamilton will be delighted with the progress he’s seen from his Italian rivals this year but will have to wait until 2025 to have his first run in one of Ferrari’s cars.

Liberty Media may have to pay Ferrari to attend next year’s launch event given they have a lot further to travel from their factory in Maranello compared to any of the UK-based teams.

It’s safe to say that Hamilton’s rival Max Verstappen is far from thrilled about the launch event idea after comments he made in a recent livestream.