• Loading stock data...
Friday, August 1, 2025
Tuned In returns to NYC on September 16. Hear from the biggest names in sports media. Click here to get your spot

F1’s Monaco GP Draws Third-Largest U.S. Audience Amid Track Criticisms

The entire Monaco Grand Prix had 78 laps and just one legal overtake.

May 25, 2025; MONACO; McLaren's Lando Norris celebrates with a trophy on the podium after winning the Monaco Grand Prix alongside third placed McLaren's Oscar Piastri and McLaren chief executive Zak Brown at Circuit de Monaco.
Stephanie Lecocq/Reuters via Imagn Images

The lack of on-track excitement at the 2025 Monaco Grand Prix led to drivers and team principals clamoring for changes after the race. The prestigious Formula One event, however, still brought in a record U.S. audience.

Sunday’s race in Monaco, which aired at 9 a.m. ET, drew 2.3 million viewers on ABC, the most-watched iteration of the event in the U.S., up from 2 million last year. It’s the third-most-watched F1 race in the U.S., behind the Miami Grand Prix in 2024 (3.1 million) and 2022 (2.6 million). It is also the most-watched F1 race so far this year, drawing more than this year’s Miami Grand Prix (2.1 million).

Monaco Grand Prix Viewership 

  • 2025: 2.3 million (ABC)
  • 2024: 2.0 million (ABC)
  • 2023: 1.8 million (ABC)
  • 2022: 1.4 million (ESPN)
  • 2021: 934,000 (ESPN2)

F1 is averaging 1.3 million viewers so far through seven races on ABC, ESPN, and ESPN2, ahead of the last two years that finished with 1.1 million viewers. The F1 season, however, does see more dips in U.S. viewership in the back half of the year, with Miami and Monaco as two of the biggest draws.

Change Needed

Overtaking has been difficult in Monaco for the last few years, particularly in 2024 when there were just four overtakes and the top 10 at the start of the race remained unchanged by the end. 

F1 added a rule change this year aimed at delivering additional intrigue. Teams were required to use three sets of tires rather than the standard two, which would mean more pit stops. The change failed to deliver its desired outcome as there was just one legal overtake during Sunday’s race.

There may be more changes to come, though it’s unclear what will allow for more overtaking in the street race. 

“I’m not pretending I have a solution. But I cannot say what happened was good for the sport,” Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu said Sunday. Red Bull team principal Christian Horner suggested there should be a change in the layout of the track to allow for at least one area for overtaking.

One solution that is off the table is to move on from Monaco. Late last year, F1 extended its contract to race in Monaco until 2031.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Jul 26, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Twins shortstop Carlos Correa (4) walks to the dugout after the ninth inning against the Washington Nationals at Target Field.

MLB’s Biggest Buyers in Frantic Deadline Weren’t Top Markets

Teams besides the Dodgers, Mets, and Yankees dominate MLB’s trade deadline.
Happy Gilmore 2

Is ‘Happy Gilmore 2’ Really About LIV vs. PGA Tour?

The movie’s main plotline may sound familiar to many golf fans.
Bristol Motor Speedway

MLB’s Long Road to Its Most Unusual Game Yet

The special-event game features a unique blending of baseball and racing.
Apr 25, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) looks on against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first half during game three of first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs at Target Center.

Luka Dončić Eligible to Sign $229M Extension Saturday

Dončić can sign a four-year, $229 million extension on Aug. 2.

Featured Today

Las Vegas sign

College Sports Embracing Vegas After Years of Cold Shoulder

The Big Ten became the latest newcomer to Sin City.
2000, Jupiter, FL, USA; FILE PHOTO; Montreal Expos pitcher Hideki Irabu in action on the mound against the New York Mets at Roger Dean Stadium during Spring Training
July 28, 2025

Dead Sports Franchises Are Alive and Well on Twitter

The Expos, Sonics, and Whalers have active social media accounts.
Limited Hype
July 27, 2025

Sneaker Reselling Was Once Easy Money. Success Is Now Complicated

Vendors need to evolve what they’re selling and how they do it.
HAPPY GILMORE 2. BTS - (L to R) Adam Sandler as Happy Gilmore and Rory McIlroy as himself on the set of Happy Gilmore2.
July 26, 2025

‘Cool As Hell’: How ‘Happy Gilmore 2’ Hooked Golf’s Top Stars

The process was “cool as hell,” Adam Sandler tells FOS.
Michael Johnson
exclusive

Grand Slam Track Misses Deadline to Pay Athletes $3 Million

The league said it would pay athletes for their Kingston meet Thursday.
Mike Repole
July 31, 2025

Billionaire Mike Repole Taking Ownership Stake in UFL

Repole is the cofounder of Vitaminwater and Body Armor. 
July 31, 2025

NFL Preseason Getting Earliest Kickoff in 25 Years

The Lions and Chargers face off in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
LeBron James
exclusive
July 30, 2025

LeBron Boat Meeting in France With Jokić Agent Was About New League

The group met to discuss a new global basketball league.
Moe Wagner
July 30, 2025

NBA Adding European Games As It Explores New League

The Magic and Grizzlies will play in Berlin and London in January 2026. 
July 30, 2025

Ex-NBPA Director Defends Two-Apron System: ‘There’s No Hard Cap’

The NBA’s two-apron system started in the 2023–24 season.
July 29, 2025

How Sports Leagues Are Responding to NFL Headquarters Shooting

The building housing the NFL headquarters was barricaded and closed Tuesday.