2 days ago
Formula One AXE season launch show at the O2 Arena for 2026 after just one year - with Max Verstappen and Christian Horner targeted by booing fans at London event
Formula One bosses have elected to axe a season launch show for the 2026 campaign after it was held just once before being given the boot.
The 2025 campaign, which is the 75th in the history of the sport, got underway with a glamorous event at London's O2 Arena in February.
The event was a sell-out - with millions more watching proceedings unfold online - as all 10 teams revealed their liveries for 2025.
It was conceived as a way to pay homage to the sport in its Diamond Anniversary year having begun since 1950.
However, Autosport revealed that commercial rightsholder FOM opted not to repeat the event ahead of the 2026 season.
The organisation felt that it would have been counter-intuitive to hold it on an annual basis given it was initially held for anniversary celebrations.
Another factor behind the decision was said to be the numerous regulation changes set to be in place for 2026, which means teams will have to run new cars and power units from next season.
There is also the prospect of integrating an F1 newcomer, Cadillac, into the sport, while there were concerns over teams needing to finalise their 2026 sponsors.
It comes after Red Bull received a hostile reception at the F1 75 event back in February, with both Max Verstappen and Christian Horner booed when they were introduced to spectators.
Footage that circulated on social media showed Horner being booed, but he did his best to ignore the dissent as he battled through a speech while alone on stage.
The reaction was the second awkward moment of the night for Horner, after host Jack Whitehall described him as former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell's plus one, with his wife also in attendance at the live event.
Furthermore, reigning world champion Max Verstappen was also subjected to boos by the crowd.
Asked about his rival Lewis Hamilton's chances over the coming 12 months having switched from Mercedes to Ferrari for minimally £50million a year, the Dutchman said: 'It is almost like he is reborn after a long time at one team.'
