F1 75: Echoes of the past, vision for the future

F1 75: Echoes of the past, vision for the future

“To be a champion, you have to be able to do the impossible.” These words, spoken by five-time World Champion Juan Manuel Fangio, defined his dominance on the track during the 1950s, an era when Formula One was still in its infancy.

Seventy-five years later, the sport’s legacy continues to thrive. Since its inception, F1 has pushed the limits of engineering, showcasing just how fast a human can go in a four-wheeled machine crafted to precision. Now, as the sport marks its 75th anniversary, the milestone called for a celebration.

The F1 75 show was the perfect curtain-raiser for another season of high-octane racing. Just weeks before the start of the 24-race calendar, all 10 F1 teams gathered at the O2 Arena in London — a venue renowned for hosting elite sporting events.

Featuring a15,000-strong crowd, a huge LED screen and a large catwalk, the show’s biggest highlight was the launch of the liveries — the paint scheme and designs of the teams. With seven minutes to impress, teams utilised all their creative energy to introduce their challengers in unique ways under the same roof.

Though it was quite uncharacteristic for a sport that takes centre stage on a track, it was an opportunity to bring the spotlight onto the cars before the action. Each outfit was accompanied by the two drivers, team principal and pit crews, making it a visually extravagant showcase, tied together by musical performances and the comedic commentary of MC Jack Whitehall.

The show began with Sauber’s trademark black and neon green aesthetics, while Williams paid tribute to its legacy and founder Sir Frank Williams in a pre-recorded segment. Racing Bulls unveiled a brand-new look, which was later discussed among fans as the best of the lot, and Alpine stuck to a DJ mix to pump up the crowd.

The sky was the limit for Aston Martin, which drew inspiration from the James Bond movie, The World is Not Enough, as the drivers posed on speedboats across the Thames before being hoisted down into the venue. Mercedes stuck to its classic silver and black fade, while Red Bull had the company of a dance crew on stage.

However, the much-anticipated reveal was Lewis Hamilton in the iconic red of Ferrari, which also paid homage to its rich history, honouring Enzo Ferrari. Constructors’ champion McLaren displayed its majestic cars of the past and sported a similar livery for its title defence in 2025.

Amidst all the glitz and glamour was an anniversary that had been commemorated in an unusual yet memorable way. Moreover, F1 also reported it received nearly 1.1 million concurrent viewers on its YouTube livestream and 7.5 million in total across platforms.

The F1 75 was a befitting inauguration just a week ahead of pre-season testing on February 26-28 at the Bahrain International Circuit. The grid will get an understanding of the pecking order before an exciting season of intense racing unfolds.