F1 chiefs make decision on repeating F1 75 O2 Arena season launch show in 2026
Formula 1 cars will not return to the O2 Arena stage for another season launch event next year. The current campaign kicked off in February with a star-studded event in London to mark the occasion of the World Championship's 75th anniversary.
And while it drew some criticism, the event was deemed to be a success. The arena was sold out and millions more watched live streams online as all 10 teams pulled the covers off their 2025 liveries and drivers and team principals previewed the season ahead.
The idea was formed as a way for the sport to begin its year-long celebrations as F1 marks 75 years since the first World Championship season, held in 1950. As such, it was never clear whether the event was a one-off or something that could be repeated.
It's understood that the latter option has been under considering, given the commercial success that the event proved to be. However, it appears that the prospects of it becoming an annual curtain-raiser for the F1 season have faded.
Autosport reports that F1 chiefs have decided against holding another launch event ahead of the 2026 campaign. That's despite it also being a milestone year for the sport, with a massive regulations change taking place that will see new car designs and engines used.
But those new car rules mean there will be a lot more testing than usual in pre-season next year. Instead of the three days of testing that has become the norm in modern F1, teams are set to get nine days on track across three separate spells to work out any kinks in their designs.
READ MORE: Lando Norris makes honest Oscar Piastri admission as McLaren outsiders surprised
That means it would be difficult for teams to find the time to take part in a season launch event, particularly as the first set of testing days is likely to take place in Barcelona at the end of January. That would mean a launch would need to take place before then, when teams are unlikely to have all their sponsors in place for the new season.
That would limit the commercial opportunities presented, reducing the value of hosting a pre-season launch. But just because it won't happen in 2026, it does not mean the idea of such an event has been permanently scrapped.
F1 chiefs felt the 75th anniversary of the World Championship was an appropriate time to celebrate the start of a new season in this fashion. And the concept could be revived for future milestones, though this has not yet been confirmed.
And there is no guarantee that, if such an event is held again in the future, that it would take place at the O2 Arena or even in London. There are many other key markets for the sport around the globe including in the USA and Asia which could prove to be more lucrative options, despite the added logistical challenge given most teams are based in the UK.
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