The sport will mark its 75th season with a special ceremony at the O2 Arena. If it’s a success, then perhaps it will return for future campaigns.
As it stands, every team, driver and team principal is set to be in attendance. The idea is that they’ll reveal their brand-new cars, but they could end up showcasing livery updates on older models.
The event has been scheduled for 18 February, a couple of weeks before the start of the three-day Bahrain test. The first Grand Prix takes place in Australia in mid-March.
F1’s commercial rights holders Liberty Media wanted to overhaul car launch season after deciding that the current format had grown somewhat sale. Teams had previously been in charge of their own schedules, as well as the format of their unveiling.
Typically, these would take place in private, with only select media attendance. While some were at least streamed on YouTube with an element of grandeur, other teams simply posted renders of their cars on social media.
Midway through the three-week break between the Sao Paulo and Las Vegas Grands Prix, Verstappen appeared on a Team Redline Twitch stream on Wednesday evening. He was asked for his thoughts on this week’s announcement.
“I don’t know, what is F175?” was his initial response.
And then when he was informed, he quipped: “I hope I’m sick that week.”
Martin Brundle has praised Verstappen’s honesty, and perhaps this is another example. While his love for racing is undeniable, he seems to have little love for modern F1 at times.
As the world champion-elect, there will likely be a great deal of build-up to Verstappen’s appearance on the night. Contracts may mandate his attendance.
Verstappen could well have a new teammate by next February. Liam Lawson is the favourite to replace Sergio Perez if he can’t make a breakthrough before the end of the season, while Franco Colapinto has an outside chance too.
But the biggest draw will unquestionably be Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari. The predominantly British audience will have their first chance to see him in the iconic colours.
One journalist thinks Ferrari needed extra financial incentives before approving the event. That’s because they’ll have to fly in from Italy.
Seven of the 10 F1 teams have bases in the southern UK, making for a relatively short trip. RB and Sauber are the other two exceptions.
