Lewis Hamilton will take to the track for the first time in Ferrari’s 2025 F1 car as the Scuderia officially launch the SF-25 in Italy on Wednesday.
F1 kicked off the 2025 season in style with a star-studded launch event, F1 75 Live, at The O2 Arena in London on Tuesday evening with Hamilton appearing in an official public capacity for the first time in Ferrari red.
All 10 teams unveiled their car liveries with all 20 drivers present on stage throughout the night. The event was hosted by comedian Jack Whitehall and iconic British pop group Take That closed out the show.
Now, with one week to go until pre-season testing in Bahrain, Hamilton will get his first taste of his new car in Fiorano, as will teammate Charles Leclerc. Both are expected to speak later this afternoon.
Follow all the updates from Ferrari’s 2025 F1 car launch with The Independent
Ferrari 2025 F1 car launch - LATEST UPDATES
- Lewis Hamilton has driven the Ferrari SF-25 for the first time on Wednesday
- Hamilton and Leclerc are expected to speak later this afternoon
- Ferrari have also released their first interview with Hamilton
- F1 75 Live kicked off the 2025 season on Tuesday night in London
- Hamilton appeared in Ferrari red for the first time in public
Lewis Hamilton insists Ferrari’s F1 car is ‘nothing like’ past Mercedes or McLaren cars
17:05
“It’s nothing like the car that I’ve had before the last 10, 12, 17 years,” Hamilton said, in his first official interview in Ferrari colours.
“It’s unique on its own. To feel the vibration of the Ferrari engine for the first time, wow! That’s what I think ultimately put the biggest smile on my face.
Lewis Hamilton takes to the track!
13:07
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Kieran Jackson
Hamilton takes to the Fiorano Circuit, in the cockpit of the SF-25 for the first time!
A key day in the British driver’s season.
VIDEO: Hamilton in the SF-25
18:18
How it feels to race alongside @LewisHamilton pic.twitter.com/JCp5B4tja9
— Scuderia Ferrari HP (@ScuderiaFerrari) February 19, 2025
Lewis Hamilton at the track earlier!
17:51
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Kieran Jackson
Greeting the fans at the Fiorano Circuit to conclude a mad 24 hours for the British driver!
He will next be in action for Ferrari at the official pre-season test next week (26-28 February) in Bahrain!
Lewis Hamilton attempts Italian on live TV!
17:36
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Kieran Jackson
He did his best!
Sir Lewis Hamilton speaking a little Italian at the beginning of his interview today and answering the question "Hows the car?" : pic.twitter.com/QRbhG4kFmk
— sim (@sim3744) February 19, 2025
Russell and Hamilton meet again!
16:44
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Kieran Jackson
Russell: “It’s Lewis Hamilton coming through, watch out guys!”
"Lewis Hamilton coming through!" #F175LIVE pic.twitter.com/j9sedpoYSu
— Formula 1 (@F1) February 19, 2025
‘I predicted Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari move six years ago – but he doesn’t need eighth F1 title’
16:22
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Kieran Jackson
“I basically predicted Lewis moving to Ferrari,” Ted Kravitz tells The Independent.
“It was a bit of a guess at the time but it seemed that the lure of Ferrari and their significance in the sport… he always thought it would be very cool to be a Ferrari driver.
“He likes the brand, he has some of the road cars which is always a help. When you look at it now, it seems a natural thing to do. It’s put a spring in his step, hasn’t it? A spring in the step of F1, just to see how he’s going to do too.
Read full interview below:
The biggest event of the evening: Lewis Hamilton debuts with Ferrari
15:50
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Olivia Hicks
Lewis Hamilton makes his first public appearance with Ferrari with a word for the 2025 season: “Invigorated.”
Hamilton and Charles Leclerc join a crimson car on stage. The livery has a noticeable large white stripe for its HP logo.
Ferrari celebrates its legacy with a tribute video to Enzo Ferrari and the brand’s many F1 liveries throughout the years.
Charles Leclerc. Lewis Hamilton. Together in front of the world as Ferrari team mates #F175LIVE @ScuderiaFerrari pic.twitter.com/sZggxDsxpJ
— Formula 1 (@F1) February 18, 2025
15:25
,
Kieran Jackson
“It’s nothing like the car that I’ve had before the last 10, 12, 17 years. It’s unique on its own.
“To feel the vibration of the Ferrari engine for the first time, wow! That’s what I think ultimately put the biggest smile on my face.
“I’d always seen all the drivers who had come before me in red and how that would look on me, and it’s a real honour to wear this badge and suit. I hope I get out and make it look good.”
Carlos Sainz makes second Williams debut at F1 75 Live
15:07
,
Olivia Hicks
Carlos Sainz made his second official debut with Williams F1 Team on Tuesday as the team showed audiences around the globe its 2025 livery covered in blue.
Sainz joined the Grove-based team after Lewis Hamilton scored his seat at Ferrari. The 30-year-old’s first public appearance came on Friday during Williams’ special livery launch at Silverstone.
From compatibility quizzes to innuendos, the Valentine’s Day livery reveal was more silly than serious, but team principal James Vowles was clear about one thing: “We have two of the strongest drivers who will give everything, as will I.”
Read more about Sainz’s place at Williams below:
Lewis Hamilton's first official Ferrari interview!
14:36
,
Kieran Jackson
“There are only a handful of special first times in life.
“The first kiss, the first date, the first time of school, the first time in the job. I honestly thought I had all my firsts and nothing was ever going to be new again.
“I’ve raced for so long... and even I’m surprised at just how much I still love what I do and it felt so new.”
More to come throughout the afternoon!
“There are only a handful of special ‘first times’ in life” ❤️
— Scuderia Ferrari HP (@ScuderiaFerrari) February 19, 2025
Click below to watch the full interview with @lewishamilton!
F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali speaks about F1 75 Live
14:22
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Olivia Hicks
The sport’s CEO deemed the evening “an amazing event and a huge success. As a sport we did something together that has never been done in the history of F1 before. We are always celebrating and respecting our incredible history while looking to the future to engage new fans around the globe.
“We had a packed O2 arena, passionate fans sharing their love and excitement for the sport here in person and watching around the world. We saw all the drivers and team principals on stage alongside great music and entertainment.
We are now excited for the season ahead and what is set to be a great battle in the track for the ultimate prize in motorsport. Thanks to all our fans and the teams.”
Toto Wolff on 2025 Mercedes: “This is really a new milestone”
13:56
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Olivia Hicks
Mercedes’ team principal Toto Wolff waxed poetically about the 2025 car and driver pairing of rookie Kimi Antonelli and George Russell at F1 75 Live: “This is really a new milestone.”
The team’s brief presentation began with a statement: “Dreams don’t push themselves over the finish line, we do.”
Christian Horner booed by British crowd at F1 75 Live event in London
13:22
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Olivia Hicks
Christian Horner was jeered by fans inside The O2 Arena as Red Bull unveiled their 2025 car livery on Tuesday night.
Horner, who has been team principal since 2005, walked on to the stage to a chorus of boos as he introduced Red Bull’s 2025 challenger, the RB21.
The Red Bull boss seemed caught off-guard by the reception, ahead of drivers Max Verstappen and Liam Lawson walking on stage.
Read full story below:
Charles Leclerc greets fans after SF-25 test run
12:55
,
Kieran Jackson
The Monegasque waved to the hundreds of fans watching on at the Fiorano Circuit on Wednesday morning!
How did that first run in the SF-25 feel, I wonder?
McLaren lifts the lid off 2025 livery
12:49
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Olivia Hicks
The 2024 World Constructors’ Championship title winners debut a papaya orange 2025 livery in the team’s classic fashion.
Driver Lando Norris remains hopeful ahead of the season, saying the car is “similar on pace.”
The moment we got to see the constructors' champion's fresh look #F175LIVE @McLarenF1 pic.twitter.com/FL4UnJg99E
— Formula 1 (@F1) February 18, 2025
Monaco Grand Prix set for drastic new rule to ‘promote better racing’ at famous F1 circuit
12:30
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Harry Latham-Coyle
The FIA announced on Tuesday that F1 are looking at increasing the amount of pit-stops at the Monaco Grand Prix this year.
The famous race on the streets of the principality is regularly criticised for its lack of overtaking opportunities, with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen labelling last year’s race as “boring” – with the top-10 not changing order at all from the start of the race to the end.
As a result, after a meeting of the F1 Commission on Tuesday morning in London, it was agreed that the number of mandatory pit stops (one) per driver should be increased.
WATCH: Moment Charles Leclerc takes to track in SF-25!
12:21
,
Kieran Jackson
Less than 12 hours after appearing on stage at F1 75 Live, Leclerc took to the track at Ferrari HQ!
Watch the moment he left the garage here:
Hitting the track for the first time
— Scuderia Ferrari HP (@ScuderiaFerrari) February 19, 2025
The SF-25 makes its debut in Fiorano! pic.twitter.com/Mnks5EcLrv
The crowd at F1 75 Live boos the FIA
12:16
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Olivia Hicks
In response to the FIA being mentioned at the live show, the crowd responds with boos. The ruling body has been criticized by drivers and fans alike for its recent swearing clampdown.
Get now your 2025 F1 cars, by name!
11:45
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Olivia Hicks
The process of naming a Formula 1 car is — unfortunately for fans — not streamlined. Some cars are named by the current year, others by the number of years the team has raced in Formula 1.
So study up, here are all the 2025 title challengers:
- Alpine: A525
- Aston Martin: AMR25
- Ferrari: SF-25
- Haas: VF-25
- Kick Sauber: C45
- McLaren: MCL39
- Mercedes: W16
- Racing Bulls: VCARB 02
- Red Bull: RB21
- Williams: FW47
The crowd speaks out on swearing sanctions
11:22
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Olivia Hicks
At F1’s 75th anniversary event, host Jack Whitehall brought up the news on everyone’s minds: the FIA’s clampdown on swearing.
Gordon Ramsay denounced the increasingly strict rules while fans booed from the crowd when the ruling body was mentioned.
There's a fine coming your way, Gordon #F175LIVE pic.twitter.com/gsm2ihhUNL
— Formula 1 (@F1) February 18, 2025
F1 reveals mammoth viewership figures on YouTube for 75 Live event at The O2 in London
11:00
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Olivia Hicks
Formula 1 shattered its previous live event viewership record on Tuesday during the sport’s 75th anniversary event, F1 75 Live, at The O2 Arena in London.
The event amassed 1.1 million concurrent live YouTube viewers at its peak and 4.6 million total viewers across YouTube’s live broadcast. The sport’s previous largest crowd for a live event was just 289,000 at its peak.
The two-hour spectacle, where all 20 drivers revealed the 2025 F1 car liveries paired with musical acts and celebrity appearances, was broadcast for free across the sport’s social media channels.
Read more below:
No words from Red Bull
10:55
,
Olivia Hicks
Despite Red Bull’s livery reveal which featured what was essentially one big party onstage, neither four-time world champion Max Verstappen nor rookie Liam Lawson spoke during the team’s allotted nine minutes of stage time.
Saying hello to the 2025 season #F175LIVE || #RedBullRacing pic.twitter.com/A5eBlmzwkH
— Oracle Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) February 18, 2025
"Everything is new:" Lewis Hamilton speaks about joining Ferrari
10:40
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Olivia Hicks
Lewis Hamilton on 2025 season with Ferrari: “I feel so full of life and so much energy because everything is new and just focused on what is up ahead.”
Charles Leclerc the first driver in the SF-25!
10:19
,
Kieran Jackson
From London last night to Fiorano this morning, a quick turnaround for Ferrari this morning!
Charles Leclerc had the honour of being the first driver behind the wheel of the SF-25, taking it for some shakedown laps at Ferrari’s own private track!
Lewis Hamilton will be in the car later and we will hear from both drivers later this evening!
Look at the fans gathered... it’s only a fllming day!
Charles Leclerc on writing history alongside Lewis Hamilton
10:10
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Olivia Hicks
Charles Leclerc’s one word for the 2025 Formula 1 season: “If I have to choose one word, I was going to say fulfillment: fulfilling my childhood dream of becoming a Formula 1 world champion. But I think the one that fits better is probably honored. Honored to be part of this team.”
Leclerc added that he’s “looking forward to write history alongside Lewis [Hamilton].”
Coming up today...
09:10
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
It’s another major day in Formula 1 as the new season draws ever nearer, with Wednesday bringing the full launch of the Ferrari that Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton will be driving in 2025. The pair will be on track a little later in the SF25 at the team’s Fiorano circuit.
‘I predicted Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari move six years ago – but he doesn’t need eighth F1 title’
09:00
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
Few figures in F1 have a better knowledge of the paddock than Ted Kravitz, a long-standing member of the Sky Sports broadcast team. Ahead of a new season that promises plenty, Kieran Jackson caught up with the roving reporter to find out how he predicted Lewis Hamilton’s big switch to Ferrari:
Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari F1 bow steals the show in London – on a night Christian Horner will want to forget
08:35
,
Kieran Jackson at the O2 Arena
Strutting out in front of 20,000 euphoric British fans, sporting the most striking of Ferrari red race suits, Lewis Hamilton placed a solitary finger to his ear and beamed.
Entering season number 19 in Formula 1, the 40-year-old knows he is now always the star of the show. And on Tuesday night at F1 75 Live, as F1 tried an event as razzle-dazzle as it was experimental in a nod to its 75th anniversary, the biggest transfer in the history of the sport made certain that their high-rolling London bet came up big.
Lewis Hamilton speaks for the first time in Ferrari red
08:25
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari stint is properly underway, with the seven-time world champion getting a mighty reception from a home crowd in London last night.
Lewis Hamilton snubbed by Carlos Sainz's four choices for 2025 F1 title
08:15
,
Jack Rathborn
“I don’t know,” former Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz told SoyMotor when pushed for his pick to win the title in 2025.
“I think it will be between those first three you have said [Verstappen, Norris, Leclerc].
“If Mercedes make a good car I would put Russell in too. I think he is at a very good level.
“Any of those can beat each other this year.”
F1 75 Live: Top four storylines you missed
08:00
,
Olivia Hicks
From jokes to jeers, here are the top things you missed at F1 75 Live:
- Jack Whitehall’s opening monologue: From crushing on Charles Leclerc to calling out the FIA’s swearing sanctions, the comedian’s hosting material was for the fans.
- Hamilton’s Ferrari debut: The 40-year-old made his official launch with the Scuderia clad in red on Tuesday.
- The music festival-meets-fashion show vibe: With Take That, mgk, Tems, Brian Tyler and Kane Brown headlining while teams strutted down a runway, the event had a unique tone.
- An unhappy crowd: Christian Horner and the FIA were subject to booing by The O2’s crowd of 20,000
Alpine goes pink
07:30
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Olivia Hicks
Last year, the French team teased a pink camo livery that had fans on Twitter up in arms after the paint job failed to show up on track. The team ran a pink and blue livery across the 2024 season.
This year, the team has stuck with a somewhat similar design concept that features the teams colors throughout.
You've met A525, now get up to speed on its technical specs ⬇️
— BWT Alpine Formula One Team (@AlpineF1Team) February 18, 2025
McLaren teased 2025 car early
03:30
,
Olivia Hicks
McLaren held a separate car launch last week with a special livery reveal in Silverstone.
McLaren teased a bright and bold black and papaya orange car that resembled camouflage on Thursday. The 2025 title challenger offered a first look at the technical developments the World Constructors’ Championship-winning team will bring to the opening race on Sunday, March 16 in Australia.
McLaren goes into the 2025 season hoping to take home both titles with the obstacle of balancing a major design upheaval with building upon last season’s progress. “Pretty much every fundamental component of the layout has been subject to some innovation,” team principal Andrea Stella said.
Aside from the car’s competitiveness, McLaren was candid about the team dynamic this year: “We’ve shown time and time again that we can race each other hard, but cleanly, and as long as we’re not taking points off the team, then that’s how we’re going to go racing.”
Williams unveils new title sponsor at F1 75 Live
03:00
,
Olivia Hicks
Despite Williams going into 2025 with a rocky recent history — including crashing in 20 races of last season’s 24-race calendar — the team has a new title sponsor for the 2025 season.
Atlassian, an Australian software company, marks the largest title sponsor in Williams’ history.
“I was one of the first ones to believe in our journey, especially with Carlos and Atlassian joining, there’s a buzz around the team,” Albon said on Friday at the team’s special livery launch.
It's here, and it's perfect pic.twitter.com/11c7p5pWtt
— Atlassian Williams Racing (@WilliamsRacing) February 18, 2025
2026 regulations remain top of mind
02:30
,
Olivia Hicks
The 2025 season is just around the corner with the first race hitting the streets of Melbourne in mid-March. And among F1 75 Live’s spectacle and sparks, it’s easy to forget all 10 F1 teams will be gazing towards the horizon as a new era of technical regulations land on track come 2026.
The 2026 regulation changes mostly feature engineer-speak, but overall include increased hybrid power, 100 percent sustainable fuels, lighter cars and replacing DRS (the Drag Reduction System) with X-mode.
Read more about the 2026 regulations and Adrian Newey’s bold performance predictions: Adrian Newey makes bold prediction for 2026 F1 season ahead of Aston Martin move
Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari F1 bow steals the show in London – on a night Christian Horner will want to forget
00:30
,
Olivia Hicks
Strutting out in front of 20,000 euphoric British fans, sporting the most striking of Ferrari red race suits, Lewis Hamilton placed a solitary finger to his ear and beamed.
Entering season number 18 in Formula 1, the 40-year-old knows he is now always the star of the show. And on Tuesday night, as F1 tried an event as razzle-dazzle as it was experimental, the biggest transfer in the history of the sport made certain that F1’s high-rolling London bet came up big.
And here’s the thing: Hamilton likes a catwalk. Every morning as he enters the Formula One paddock, sporting a high-end fashion outfit from his extravagant wardrobe, onlookers stop and stare. And amid two hours, 10 teams and 20 drivers on stage at The O2 Arena in east London, there was no doubting who the crowd had come to see.
See the full story below:
A new dawn at Ferrari? The Scuderia unveils a new red
Tuesday 18 February 2025 23:00
,
Olivia Hicks
Ferrari isn’t just welcoming a new driver this year. A rebrand may not seem typical for a team with a history of bringing crimson to Formula 1, but Ferrari goes into the 2025 season with a new shade of red.
Ahead of the 2025 season, the Maranello-based team had teased new red hue in promo videos.
Ferrari lifted the curtain on the SF-25 on Tuesday evening to reveal a car clad in a dark cherry red.
Zooming in on the details pic.twitter.com/OwGjsDKqig
— Scuderia Ferrari HP (@ScuderiaFerrari) February 18, 2025
Lewis Hamilton makes first public appearance in Ferrari colours at F1 75 Live in London
Tuesday 18 February 2025 21:57
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Olivia Hicks
Lewis Hamilton has made his first official public appearance in Ferrari colours as he arrives at The O2 Arena in London on Tuesday night for F1 75 Live.
Ferrari will unveil their 2025 car livery this evening, as will the other nine teams, in front of 15,000 people in east London.
Hamilton will then drive the SF-25 tomorrow at Ferrari’s own launch in Fiorano, before pre-season testing next week in Bahrain.
See full story below:
Main act Take That takes the stage
Tuesday 18 February 2025 21:54
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Olivia Hicks
The ‘90s pop boy band hailing from Manchester closes out the show.
The three-man group includes Gary Barlow, Mark Owen and Howard Donald, but originally had two other members: Jason Orange and Robbie Williams — who Alex Albon revealed at Friday’s Wiliams’ launch sings his favorite karaoke song. The group has won eight BRIT Awards and has 12 UK number-one singles, amassing 45 million record sales worldwide.
Mercedes reveals a black and silver livery with touches of mint green
Tuesday 18 February 2025 21:23
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Olivia Hicks
Mercedes’ team principal, Toto Wolff, shows racing is in the team’s blood: “The first ever Mercedes that was built was a race car.”
The team’s rookie, Kimi Antonelli, said he wants to “make the best out of this opportunity.”
Back in black... with a hint of silver
— Formula 1 (@F1) February 18, 2025
George Russell and Kimi Antonelli's beauty for 2025 is here#F175LIVE @MercedesAMGF1 pic.twitter.com/9bPqU9fBx3
Racing Bulls lift sheet off of 2025 white livery
Tuesday 18 February 2025 20:40
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Olivia Hicks
Yuki Tsunoda and Isack Hadjar pull a black sheet off of a nearly completely white car with Tsunoda’s voicing his opinion: “One of the best liveries I’ve ever seen in my life from a team.”
F1 75 Live has already surpassed F1's previous live event numbers
Tuesday 18 February 2025 20:35
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Olivia Hicks
439,000 people were watching live on Formula 1’s YouTube alone at F1 75 Live’s opening. It rose to 824,000 now during Kick Sauber’s car debut. The highest ever previous live event was 289,000 at its peak, according to F1.
Lando Norris: "I did the best I could in every situation”
Tuesday 18 February 2025 20:33
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Olivia Hicks
Lando Norris at F1 75 Live when asked about regrets over his 2024 performance: “I did the best I could in every situation,” but said he has learned from the experience going into 2025.
Williams unveils its 2025 car
Tuesday 18 February 2025 20:27
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Olivia Hicks
Williams’ 2025 single-seater drops from the ceiling after a tribute to the team’s 47-year history. Team principal James Vowles takes center stage with intent: “The start of a new era.”
Alex Albon’s take on the 2025 all-blue car: “It feels really good. It feels like an improvement from last year.”
Jack Whitehall asks the important questions: boot space and Mike Krack
Tuesday 18 February 2025 20:25
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Olivia
