Formula 1 will consider their first livery launch event a success after more than one million people tuned into the F1 75 ceremony on Tuesday evening.
The O2 in London saw all 20 F1 drivers together for the first time this year as they unveiled the liveries they will racing with in 2025.
Every Grand Prix allows hundreds of thousands of fans to support their favourite drivers.
Max Verstappen frequently has entire grandstands full of people wearing bright orange cheering him on and they’ve had a lot to celebrate in recent years.
Lando Norris will have a grandstand of his own at Silverstone for the British Grand Prix which sold out remarkably quickly, highlighting his popularity among his home fans.
Verstappen and Red Bull didn’t get the best reception on Tuesday evening, with Christian Horner and the FIA both booed at various points in the ceremony.
David Croft noticed Verstappen’s lack of excitement before he and new teammate Liam Lawson walked off stages as the only drivers not to take part in an official interview.
The event gave people a barometer of how Formula 1 fans feel towards every driver on the grid, with the likes of Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton unsurprisingly getting a fantastic reception.
However, journalist Luke Smith also noticed that new Haas star Oliver Bearman was extremely popular.
Writing for The Athletic, he noted that the British teenager got a lot of support from the home crowd despite having only raced in three Grand Prix during his career.
Haas driver Oliver Bearman a ‘fan favourite’ during F1 75 event at the O2
Haas were the fourth team to appear on stage with their car after Sauber, Williams and Racing Bulls.
Racing Bulls were lauded for their livery, giving Haas a tough act to follow, but Bearman and teammate Esteban Ocon strolled out to a rapturous reception.
Writing during the event, Smith said: “Some really big cheers in the arena for Ollie Bearman. He’s already a fan favourite.”
READ MORE: Who is 2025 Haas driver Oliver Bearman? Everything to know
The 19-year-old then addressed the crowd when asked about the upcoming season and said: “I can’t wait.
“I had a few shots at it last year, this year I get many more, so I can’t wait.
“I’m really looking forward to Silverstone, especially for the home crowd, it’s going to be amazing.”
Ready to turn heads on track 🤩🇺🇸
How are you rating the VF-25? 👇#HaasF1 #F1 pic.twitter.com/4WkgawTs4k
— MoneyGram Haas F1 Team (@HaasF1Team) February 18, 2025
Oliver Bearman and Kimi Antonelli two of Formula 1’s most popular rookies
It would be harsh to say that any of the drivers taking part in their first full seasons didn’t gain a lot of support from the crowd.
New Mercedes star Kimi Antonelli was warmly welcomed alongside Toto Wolff and George Russell, and under-pressure Alpine driver Jack Doohan came across very well, reminding fans why he was such a good pundit for F1 TV last season while undertaking his reserve driver duties.
Isack Hadjar and Gabriel Bortoleto did well to address a large crowd in their second language, while as mentioned above, Lawson wasn’t even given the opportunity to speak.
READ MORE: All to know about Haas F1 Team from team principal to Ferrari and Toyota ties
British Formula 1 fans will always get behind any driver in the sport and Bearman can look forward to that support throughout the season.
Bearman joked it was harsh he wouldn’t be considered a rookie this year, but the way he drove during his cameos last season, that shouldn’t matter.
Ocon and Bearman have been predicted to clash in 2025, but so far, the pair look to be on very good terms.
