Summary

  • F1 75th anniversary season launch event

  • All 10 teams and 20 drivers at O2 Arena

  • Lewis Hamilton making first public appearance as Ferrari driver

  • Teams revealing their 2025 liveries

  • Get Involved: #bbcf1

  1. Postpublished at 20:52 Greenwich Mean Time 18 February

    The next VT is all about rivalries, the heart of F1 I would say.

    We've seen so many over the 75 years, which one stood out to you?

  2. Love for Bearmanpublished at 20:51 Greenwich Mean Time 18 February

    Lorraine McKenna
    BBC Sport Journalist at The O2 Arena

    The musical guests are only getting one song to shine. With Kane Brown on and off in a flash, it’s time for Haas to make an entrance.

    Lenny Kravitz’s ‘Are You Gonna Go My Way’ is blasting out of the sound system as the new car, another white livery for the night, spins on a turntable and Esteban Ocon and Ollie Bearman take to the stage.

    Briton Bearman is receiving plenty of love from the home crowd. One mention of Silverstone and the 19-year-old has got the fans eating out of his hand.

    Haas drivers wave to the crowd at the O2 ArenaImage source, Getty Images
  3. Postpublished at 20:49 Greenwich Mean Time 18 February

    Haas boss Ayao Komatsu says the team is "one family".

    Bless him, he is tiny compared to his drivers!

    How tall are those drivers?

    I believe this duo is called "Bearcon".

  4. Here's Haas!published at 20:48 Greenwich Mean Time 18 February

    The screen shows a wall breaking as the Haas slowly makes its way down the stage.

    Red, white and black for Haas, it's very rock and roll. I like it.

  5. Life has changed for Bearmanpublished at 20:46 Greenwich Mean Time 18 February

    Lorraine McKenna
    BBC Sport Journalist at The O2 Arena

    Oliver Bearman on stageImage source, BBC Sport

    Haas decided to split their driver news conference up, so Oliver Bearman was a lone figure on stage.

    The Briton is starting his debut season in Formula 1 following his super-sub appearance in 2025. Fame comes at you fast, but Bearman says while his “life has certainly changed” - his points in Jeddah putting him in the spotlight “ in a big way” - he can still put on a normal t-shirt and walk around fairly unnoticed. “It’s still life like a normal-ish 19 year old,” he added.

    Andrea Kimi Antonelli recently passed his driving test, so has fellow teenager Bearman been successful with his? “I passed it a few years ago,” he said. “Second time - the first time I didn’t stop at a stop sign. We don’t have those on race tracks. I was a typical racing driver: thought I could pass my test without any lessons!”

    As for new team-mate Esteban Ocon, he feels day three of pre-season testing in Bahrain is when we’ll get a sense of where teams stand for the 2025 campaign. “It should be an interesting season,” the Frenchman added. “It should be close.”

  6. Postpublished at 20:45 Greenwich Mean Time 18 February

    Up next, America's F1 team Haas.

    Their drivers are rookie Oliver Bearman and Esteban Ocon.

  7. All white for Racing Bullspublished at 20:43 Greenwich Mean Time 18 February

    Lorraine McKenna
    BBC Sport Journalist at The O2 Arena

    Red Bull’s sister team has been through many, many name changes down the years, which is being mocked in a video before Yuki Tsunoda, Isack Hadjar and boss Laurent Mekies take to the stage. Racing Bulls is the title for 2025.

    “Short kings assemble,” says content creator Munya Chawawa, who has been chosen to host the team’s segment. “Turkey teeth white”, is what livery is described as.

    Racing Bulls launch car at O2 ArenaImage source, BBC Sport
  8. Postpublished at 20:42 Greenwich Mean Time 18 February

    Country star Kane Brown is on the stage now.

    He's singing his song 'Miles on it', very fitting for tonight..

  9. Postpublished at 20:40 Greenwich Mean Time 18 February

    "Formula 1 needs a bit of fun," says Racing Bulls' CEO Peter Bayer.

    There's lots of things to come from the team and I'm sure we'll be seeing that on the racing track.

  10. Racing Bulls timepublished at 20:38 Greenwich Mean Time 18 February

    Actor Munya Chawawa comes out with drivers Yuki Tsunoda and Isack Hadjar.

    "Short kings assemble" says Munya, oh dear!

    It's a simple reveal for the Racing Bulls, the two drivers pull back the cloth to show an all white car.

  11. Postpublished at 20:35 Greenwich Mean Time 18 February

    Now time for the team that has had a few name changes. I think I'm up to date on it...

    Here come the Racing Bulls

  12. Green machinepublished at 20:31 Greenwich Mean Time 18 February

    Lorraine McKenna
    BBC Sport Journalist at The O2 Arena

    The Sauber livery was raised on a platform before being placed in a huge sort of cage. The 2025 campaign “will be an important season for us,” says chief operating officer and chief technical officer of Sauber Motorsport Mattia Binotto.

    Jack Whitehall has the crowd laughing once again as he asks: “Is there genuinely a man named Mike Krack?”

    Nico Hulkenberg, Mattia Binotto, Gabriel Bortoleto walk out on stage at O2 ArenaImage source, Getty Images
  13. Postpublished at 20:31 Greenwich Mean Time 18 February

    Jack Whitehall is back, he really loves James Vowles, doesn't he?

    He's sat next to Lando Norris...

    Not before calling Valtteri Bottas Tiger King's Joe Exotic!

  14. Postpublished at 20:29 Greenwich Mean Time 18 February

    There's a loud cheer for Carlos Sainz, he said it's his best chance to sing 'Smooth Operator'.

    Thumbs up if you'd like to hear that!

  15. Postpublished at 20:27 Greenwich Mean Time 18 February

    James, you're a natural at hosting.

    Here come his drivers, Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz.

    Are we calling the duo Carbon or Carbono? I'm sure we'll figure it out before the season begins.

    Williams team on stage at O2 ArenaImage source, Getty Images
  16. Postpublished at 20:26 Greenwich Mean Time 18 February

    No drums for Williams, they just want their car to do all the talking.

    Here's the team principal James Vowles.

    "Start of a new era," he says.

  17. Here's Williams!published at 20:24 Greenwich Mean Time 18 February

    Williams start off their showcase with a clip of their glory days.

    Will we see them back up on the podium again soon? I hope so.

  18. Cheers for Hamiltonpublished at 20:23 Greenwich Mean Time 18 February

    Lorraine McKenna
    BBC Sport Journalist at The O2 Arena

    Host Jack Whitehall is opting to roast the drivers and team principals tonight. George Russell is called the second best looking man in King's Lynn after Martin Brundle, while McLaren boss Zak Brown has apparently got a ‘tramp stamp’ tattoo of the constructors’ title.

    There were a few boos in the arena for reigning world champion Max Verstappen, which the Dutchman took with good humour. The beef with Russell was also a highlight, drawing in lots of laughter.

    But there is no doubt as to who the main attraction is tonight. The cheers were loud, loud, loud for new Ferrari man Lewis Hamilton when he flashed on screen.

    Lewis HamiltonImage source, BBC Sport
  19. Postpublished at 20:21 Greenwich Mean Time 18 February

    Here is the Sauber in all its green glory!

    It will not be hard to spot when we get going next month!

    SauberImage source, BBC Sport
  20. Postpublished at 20:18 Greenwich Mean Time 18 February

    Sauber have really set the stage for tonight.

    The drivers Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto and boss Mattia Binotto have walked out, in their green Sauber gear.

    Their 2025 challenger follows behind them, like magic.