If you wanted to witness what modern Formula One resembles at perhaps the zenith of its American bling, the emblem was staring us in the face at London’s O2 Arena on Tuesday night.
The Star-Spangled Banner was planted firmly in the earth of North Greenwich.
Lewis Hamilton, the transatlantic poster-man of the sport, was among his fellow drivers at this unprecedented all-teams launch, adding substance to the hype. His transfer to Ferrari is sure to be one of the most captivating themes of the upcoming season once the razzmatazz dies and the engines stir.
If the 40-year-old were to win an eighth world title, a first for him in red, it would conceivably be the global sporting story of 2025. He was the star turn at this celebration of F1’s 75 years, and an eruption of emotion from the 20,000 fans inside filled the auditorium when presenter Jack Whitehall, who did a good job, turned to him.
Paroxysms of delight. Lewis smiled warmly. He has been smiling inside and out since he made the switch from Mercedes to Ferrari.
The next biggest cheer of the evening was for Lando Norris, who let slip a word starting with ‘w’ and ending in ‘r’.
Lewis Hamilton was front and centre of a Formula One 75-year celebration on Tuesday evening
The new Ferrari star cemented his status as the transatlantic poster-man of the sport
McLaren’s Lando Norris (right) was also in attendance, dropping a swear word at the event
The first track running occurs in Bahrain next week, the one and only pre-season test before the opening race in Melbourne on March 16. But, in the meantime, Formula One’s owners Liberty Media were making good on the promise they enunciated practically as soon as they bought the shebang in 2017.
They said they wanted to turn every race into a Super Bowl, and this extravaganza was an expression of that world view, building on Drive to Survive and the Brad Pitt-led F1 movie slated for release this year.
Every ticket went in 20 minutes for between £58 and £113, though they could be sourced online in the countdown to lights out for those with $999 (£792) to burn.
This curtain-raiser would never have been countenanced in Bernie Ecclestone’s day. It is not to be imagined, though, that launches were not elaborate then.
The Spice Girls performed back in the day, as did Vanessa-Mae on that night in Valencia when McLaren unveiled Lewis as a 22-year-old debutant. All talk here continued to revolve around Hamilton, just as it did those 18 years ago.
Max Verstappen, now his heir as the world’s best driver in equal equipment, did not want to be in attendance at the O2. This kind of hoopla is not up his street. But he knows it is oxygen to the sport, and he complied with a smile.
Asked about Hamilton’s chances over the coming 12 months having switched from Mercedes for minimally £50million a year, the four-time world champion — subjected to pantomime boos — said: ‘It is almost like he is reborn after a long time at one team.’
This occasion may have been about new beginnings but one subject in the preamble harked back to last year when Verstappen and Mercedes’ George Russell clashed, a spat over whether the Englishman dobbed the Dutchman into the stewards. Russell counterclaimed that Verstappen had vowed to drive him into the wall.
Max Verstappen, who did not want to be there, was the pantomime villain, booed by fans
Verstappen argued that long-term rival Hamilton seems ‘reborn after a long time at one team’
George Russell (left) revealed he has ‘no intention’ of speaking to Verstappen following clash
The world champion will be joined by a new team-mate in Liam Lawson (right) this year
Red Bull’s Christian Horner was also in attendance alongside Spice Girl wife Geri Halliwell (left)
Asked if they had spoken over the break, Russell said: ‘I have no intention of doing so.’
Before Take That took to the stage, Verstappen shrugged, calling animosity old stuff. Last night was about a bright, shiny new start.
A change for Monaco
A radical change to the Monaco Grand Prix was agreed by the F1 Commission on Tuesday — with an extra mandatory pit stop stipulated from this May’s race to enliven what has tended to be a procession without the intervention of rain.