Max Verstappen has humorously suggested he might “pull a sickie” to avoid attending Formula 1’s historic F1 75th anniversary launch event in London next year. The reigning World Champion, who often skips F1’s glitzy events, seems less than enthusiastic about the planned group livery reveal scheduled for February 18, 2025, at London’s O2 Arena.
Formula 1 Gears Up for 75th Anniversary with Special Car Launch Event
Celebrating its 75th season, Formula 1 is kicking off the 2025 championship with a first-ever group livery launch. This event promises a dazzling showcase of all 10 teams’ 2025 cars and the full driver line-up, including F1’s 20 biggest stars and some special guest appearances.
Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali shared his excitement, noting, “For the first time, we will bring together our fans, all 20 superstars of our sport, and some very special guests to officially kick off our new season and mark our 75th year of racing.” He added that the 2025 season is set to be a classic after the intense drama of the 2024 season, giving fans a unique chance to experience F1 up-close. However, fans hoping to see Verstappen may be disappointed, as the Dutch driver jokingly hinted he hopes to be unwell that week.
Verstappen’s Reaction: “I Hope I’m Sick That Week”
During a recent Call of Duty gaming stream, Verstappen was puzzled when fans mentioned the “F1 75” launch. “What is F1 75? What are you talking about?” he asked, sounding uninterested. Upon learning it was a group livery reveal, he sarcastically responded, “I hope I’m sick that week.”
The statement came amid Verstappen’s stream celebrating Lando Norris’ 25th birthday, where he confirmed he’d already wished Norris a happy birthday, despite their recent on-track clashes in Austin, Mexico, and Brazil.
Friendship with Ricciardo: Padel Match Highlights
Verstappen also spoke about his recent padel match with Daniel Ricciardo, where he and Ricciardo were outplayed by a 13-year-old. “Padel was good with Daniel; we just got absolutely spanked by a 13-year-old,” he shared, admitting that the young player’s skill left both drivers impressed.
How Fans Can Attend F1’s 75th Anniversary Launch
The F1 75 group launch event is set to take place on February 18, 2025, from 8 pm to 10 pm at the O2 Arena. Fans can catch a live, global stream of the event, while tickets, ranging from £58 to £113, will be available through the O2’s website starting 10 am on Friday, November 15.
As Formula 1 gears up for its 75th anniversary, the iconic F1 75 group launch event promises a spectacular introduction to the 2025 season. Although Verstappen’s attendance remains in question, the event will unite fans, teams, and drivers in celebration of F1’s historic legacy and the exciting new season ahead.