F1’s escalating battles see Verstappen and Norris ignite record audiences, as three teams fiercely contest the constructors’ crown.
Until the Brazilian Grand Prix, the drivers’ championship remained fiercely contested between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris. Meanwhile, McLaren F1, Red Bull, and Ferrari continue an intense battle to secure or retain their place at the pinnacle of the constructors’ standings.
The thrill and suspense are palpable in this second half of the F1 season, resonating strongly in the sport’s audience numbers.
Races are selling out across the board, as confirmed by Stefano Domenicali, CEO of F1 for Liberty Media.
“We have a three-way battle for the constructors’ championship between McLaren, Ferrari, and Red Bull. And the drivers’ championship remains alive as we head towards the final races, with Verstappen and Norris going head-to-head after a spectacular series in Austin, Mexico, and Brazil, all in front of massive crowds. It’s wonderful to witness such a diverse lineup of winners this season,” Domenicali remarked.
“There’s something here that truly resonates with fans, heightening the excitement and engagement for what promises to be a special season in 2025.”
Indeed, attendance has surged since the season’s outset, with many races achieving sell-out status and seven breaking previous records, notably the British Grand Prix, which welcomed 480,000 fans over the weekend—marking the highest attendance of the season. In the third quarter alone, the Hungarian, Belgian, Dutch, and Italian Grands Prix each drew over 300,000 spectators. Brazil, too, has seen significant growth, with crowd numbers rising at nearly every race.
The enthusiasm is equally evident in the television metrics, which are positively gleaming.
“Through to Singapore, average weekend viewership has been 65 million on leading TV networks, with approximately 20 million additional viewers across digital platforms, including YouTube and F1 TV. Digital viewership has continued its annual rise,” Domenicali noted, highlighting a record-breaking Silverstone event.
“Notably, the British Grand Prix became the most-watched European race ever in the UK and achieved unprecedented viewership figures in the United States.”
The growth in F1’s TV subscriber base remains robust, with a year-on-year increase of 10%, notably strong in the U.S. market.
Liberty Media is also reaping rewards from its digital strategies, thanks in part to its quality-driven podcasts like “Beyond the Grid,” which offer fans premium content.
“We’re continually innovating on digital platforms, providing fans globally with creative ways to immerse themselves in the F1 universe.”
“This season, we introduced video episodes to our ‘F1 Beyond the Grid’ podcast, with listening time surging over 30% since this format’s launch. Social media followership has climbed by 38% year-over-year, reaching 94 million, aided by our expansion onto new platforms like Threads and WhatsApp. Our partnership with WhatsApp fosters a closer, more direct connection with fans.”
Sprint races, meanwhile, are making a substantial impact on audience figures.
In a particularly noteworthy observation, Domenicali notes that the sprint format is drawing a larger viewership, underscoring Liberty Media’s intent to expand it in the future.
“Sprint races attract an ever-growing audience. Friday attendance during sprint weekends has risen by roughly 30% compared to non-sprint weekends. Meanwhile, television viewership for sprint weekends is, on average, 10% higher than for weekends without sprints.”
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Record Crowds Witness Three-Way Constructors’ Showdown Record Crowds Witness Three-Way Constructors’ Showdown
