F1 warns resale tickets for London O2 event will not be valid

First-ever livery launch event sold out in 45 minutes due to huge demand – with those who missed out warned off buying from reselling websites

Fans who were unable to purchase tickets for Formula 1's livery launch event at London's O2 Arena next year have been urged not to buy from resale websites.

F1's 75th anniversary season will begin in unfamiliar surroundings as all 10 teams launch their 2025 liveries alongside one another on 18 February.

The event will bring together all 20 drivers and their team principals, giving fans a first look at how the F1 grid will appear for the season-opening Australian Grand Prix on 16 March.

Tickets went on sale on Friday morning and sold out in just 45 minutes, with the demand hugely outweighing the capacity for the event.

The price range of £58-£113 plus booking fee seemingly put few people off as some fans waited online for hours in advance of the ticket window opening.

Almost immediately after the tickets had sold out, a number began appearing on resale websites – some asking for upwards of £1000.

Autosport understands conversations between F1 and The O2 also led to the realisation that some of the tickets on the resale markets were for seats that do not exist.

"We are aware that a few tickets for our season launch event at The O2 have been listed on unofficial resale websites," an F1 statement read.

"We can confirm that this is against the terms and conditions of sale and that any tickets bought through an unofficial resale platform are not valid for entry.

"Working with The O2 we have also identified that a number of the listings are fraudulent. We advise all our fans to only buy tickets through theo2.co.uk or via AXS Official Resale."

Unlike recent sought-after events, the tickets for the immersive evening - labelled F175 – were not subject to dynamic pricing and, while it is not illegal to resell tickets via third-party companies at an inflated figure, the stance taken by F1 and The O2 should ward people away.