Saturday, October 24, 2026

Formula 1 and ESPN Had Another Record Viewership Season

  • Broadcasts of F1 across ESPN networks averaged 1.21 million viewers per race.
  • It’s the first F1 season in U.S. television history to average over 1 million viewers per race.
Red Bull Racing driver separates from Aston Martin competitor during Formula 1 race
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Want more from Front Office Sports
in your search results?

Add Front Office Sports on Google

Formula 1’s surging popularity in the United States has resulted in yet another season of record viewership.

Broadcasts of F1 across ESPN, ESPN2, and ABC averaged 1.21 million viewers per race — a 28% increase from the record-breaking 2021 season that saw 949,000 average viewers.

It’s the first F1 season in U.S. television history to average over 1 million viewers per race.

Additionally, 12 races individually set all-time American viewership records — including the brand new Miami Grand Prix, which was the most-watched live F1 telecast ever with 2.58 million average viewers.

The Japanese Grand Prix — which was repeatedly delayed and eventually shortened by rain — was not included in the overall viewership average.

F1 experienced a lot of success reaching the all-important young demographics.

The coveted 18-49 demo saw 521,000 average viewers per race, a 29% increase from 2021. Additionally, the 12-17 demo averaged 36,000 viewers per race — a 49% increase equating to the largest year-over-year increase among any age bracket.

Viewership among women was also up in 2022, averaging 352,000 per race — a 34 percent bump from the season prior.

Max Verstappen surrounded by photographers after winning Formula 1 race

Verstappen Formula 1’s Top Earner

Max Verstappen has topped Lewis Hamilton in one more category: salary.
November 21, 2022

The partnership between F1 and ESPN has been such a resounding success that the two entities agreed to a reported three-year, $255 million extension that will keep the championships’ races on the network through 2025.

Download the FOS App

The business of sports, in your pocket.

QR code to download the app

Scan the QR code to get the app now.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Mark Walter’s Sports Empire Shrinking Again

The Dodgers and Cadillac F1 remain in Walter’s portfolio despite other sales.

Red Bull’s Late Turnaround Gives Verstappen Hope for 2027

Earlier this year, Verstappen suggested retirement was on his mind.
Troy Aikman

Examining Troy Aikman’s Options After J.J. Watt-CBS Deal 

Aikman has yet to receive a formal offer to return to ESPN.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

10/23/26 – JJ Watt Takes CBS Chair, FIFA Rights Shake-Up, Small-Market World Series

0:00

Featured Today

Football - NFL - Houston Texans v Jacksonville Jaguars - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - October 18, 2026 The necklace of a Jacksonville Jaguars fan outside the stadium before the match

Die-Hard Sports Fandom Has Reached the Afterlife

Will fans pay $6,000 to memorialize their team loyalty?
October 20, 2026

Why Europe Is Pumping Out NBA Superstars

The NBA and NCAA have an increasingly European flavor.
October 15, 2026

College Flag Football Is Outgrowing Its DIY Era

Women have been building the college game themselves at the club level.
Oct 5, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas arrives at the arena before the Penguins host the Winnipeg Jets at PPG Paints Arena
October 12, 2026

NHL’s New Wave of GMs Is Built Different

“I am in the prediction business,” Devils GM Sunny Mehta tells FOS.
Action Images/Peter Cziborra
October 9, 2026

Is Leicester City’s $264 Million Price Tag Too Rich for Hungry Investors?

After falling from grace, how much is a former top club worth?

Luke Kuechly Calls Netflix NFL Role a Work ‘In Progress’

Kuechly is also calling some regional NFL action for CBS.
Jan 12, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; ESPN Monday Night Football logo on an end zone camera before the Pittsburgh Steelers host the Houston Texans in an AFC Wild Card Round game at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
October 23, 2026

Ranking Troy Aikman’s Likeliest ESPN Replacements

ESPN has yet to formally offer Aikman a new contract.
Aug 30, 2018; New York, NY, USA; Television personality Britt McHenry in the stands during a second round match between Novak Djokovic of Serbia and Tennys Sandgren of the United States on day four of the 2018 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
October 23, 2026

Britt McHenry Out at Trump Admin After Viral Drink-Throwing Incident

McHenry joined the State Department as a press advisor last month.
Sponsored

Blake Griffin’s Plan for Media Domination

The former NBA star is building a second act across media & entertainment.
Zach Lowe Sean Fennessey The Ringer
October 22, 2026

Substack: No Deal With The Ringer, Even as Talent Flocks to Platform

Zach Lowe is the latest Ringer talent to launch a Substack newsletter.
NBC Sports Logo
October 22, 2026

Comcast-NBCUniversal Split Comes With $1B Cost, Layoffs

The NBC Sports parent company will take on a hefty restructuring charge.
October 22, 2026

FIFA’s World Cup Rights Shake-Up Could Favor NBC Over Fox

It’s bad news for Fox and great news for Telemundo’s parent, NBC.
Aug 3, 2024; Canton, OH, USA; Houston Texans former defensive end J.J. Watt in attendance at the Class of 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
October 22, 2026

NFL TV’s Analyst Market Tightens as CBS Extends JJ Watt

Watt is officially Tony Romo’s full-time replacement at CBS.