Formula 1 shouldn’t repeat its new pre-season launch event, some drivers believe, though others hailed it as a success.
The championship broke new ground by bringing all 10 teams together to reveal their liveries for the upcoming season in a two-hour event in London which was broadcast live.
Not all of the 20 drivers who participated want F1 to repeat the format next year. “It would be nice for it to be a one-off but I imagine it’s going to stay around,” said Alexander Albon.
“I don’t know what the reception was, but I think it was generally fairly positive. It’s a different environment for the drivers to be in.
“I think as an event I think they did a good job with what they had, what it was made to be. That’s about it, just a bit strange walking onto a stage.”
Some drivers who viewed the event more positively were also not convinced it should become a fixture in F1’s schedule.
“It was great,” said Lando Norris. “I think it was for the fans. I don’t know if it’s something we would do every year. Maybe do it every few years or something.”
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Each team had little more than five minutes to present their cars and speak briefly to the presenters. Norris said teams’ traditional launch events allow them greater exposure.
“I think every team would like to do their own thing and showcase the car a bit more, talk about the car a bit more instead of just being on a stage for seven minutes and just saying ‘hi’ and ‘bye’,” he said.
“I know there’s a lot to get through in one night, but I’m sure every team wanted to a few more minutes to talk about the car and describe a few things. I’m sure the fans would rather listen to us talk more rather than just seeing the car on stage.
“So maybe change up the order if it was to be done again and listen to the drivers talk a bit more, or the team principals or whatever. But I’m sure they can make some changes next time.”
F1’s schedule expanded to a record 24 rounds last year which it is repeating this year. Charles Leclerc said the series should not keep making more demands on drivers’ time.
“It was okay, I mean, it was nice,” he said. “I wouldn’t want one to lose too many days.
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“We have very few days available at the beginning of the year, so obviously the most little time it can take, the better it is, I think, for the teams and ourselves. Also for logistics. But apart from that, I think the event was quite nice.”
However others were more impressed by the event itself. Esteban Ocon likened it to an Ultimate Fighting Championship event.
“The energy was was insane,” said the Haas driver. “Honestly, when we’re on the middle of the stage unveiling the car and the people shouting, it’s something that will forever stick in my mind. It’s quite crazy.
“I watched the UFC one night in the middle of a stadium, it’s quite similar, but we don’t really get to experience that. Apart from Mexico drivers parade, we are not actually really in the middle, it’s outside and it’s very different. But that was quite special so it was quite incredible.”
Grand Prix Drivers’ Association director George Russell is also happy to participate in the event again.
“I think it was really good for the sport,” he said. “Everything F1 is doing at the moment, it feels like it adds a lot to the sport as a whole.
“I really enjoyed it. They did a great job and happy to see it again next year or whenever they plan to do it again.”
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