• Loading stock data...
Friday, February 20, 2026

The Most Watched Formula 1 Races in U.S. Television History

  • The 2024 Miami Grand Prix tops the list with 3.1 million U.S. viewers.
  • Five of the races to make the list were won by Max Verstappen.
May 5, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; McLaren driver Lando Norris (4) reacts after winning the Miami Grand Prix at Miami International Autodrome. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

The business prospects for Formula 1 continue to pick up speed off the track. 

Record revenue for the first quarter of this year, coupled with a possible grid expansion, makes the future look bright.

Thanks in part to Netflix’s Drive to Survive docu-series, more Americans are watching races than ever before. Out of the most-watched Formula 1 races, six of them have been within the last three years.

The 2024 Miami Grand Prix is the most-watched Formula 1 race, drawing 3.1 million viewers in the United States. The 2025 Miami Grand Prix failed to reach the same viewership heights as the year prior but still finished in the top five of most-watched Formula 1 races in the U.S. all time. Its mark of 2.1 million viewers was soon bested by the 2.3 million viewers for the 2025 Monaco Grand Prix weeks later, the fourth-highest viewership total for a Formula 1 race all-time (and third-highest live viewership total)

Miami has become an essential stop on the Grand Prix tour since its debut in 2022.

Although still in its infancy on the circuit, the Miami Grand Prix is proving to be one of F1’s most successful ventures.

Max Verstappen has been dominant on the circuit since winning his first world championship title in 2021. He has won five of the most-watched races on this list.

Some observers fear his dominance could hurt viewership in the U.S., which has developed into a key growth market for F1. The addition of GM as a competing team on the circuit could be the key to boosting U.S. viewership.

Verstappen’s recent dominance draws parallels to modern F1 legend Michael Schumacher, who also seemed to break through to reach American audiences.

At his height during the 90s and early 2000s, Schumacher’s win at the 1995 Brazilian Grand Prix drew 1.74 million American viewers. It happened during a season where he won his second straight World Drivers’ Championship.

Schumacher also won the 2006 San Marino Grand Prix, attracting 1.6 million U.S. viewers in the process. He was in his final season of racing and secured Ferrari’s first win.

Ranking The Most Watched Formula 1 Races in U.S. History

Here is the list of the top 10 most-watched Formula 1 races based on reported viewership in the United States. The list was compiled using historical data from SportsMediaWatch and ESPNPressRoom.

  • Updated: March 27, 2025
RankingYearRaceWinnerReported U.S. Viewership
12024Miami Grand PrixLando Norris3.1 million
22002Monaco Grand Prix*David Coulthard2.78 million
32022Miami Grand PrixMax Verstappen2.6 million
42025Monaco Grand PrixLando Norris2.3 million
52025Miami Grand PrixOscar Piastri2.1 million
62023Miami Grand PrixMax Verstappen1.96 million
72023Monaco Grand PrixMax Verstappen1.79 million
82023Canadian Grand PrixMax Verstappen1.76 million
91995Brazilian Grand PrixMichael Schumacher1.74 million
102014Canadian Grand PrixDaniel Ricciardo1.49 million

*Shown on tape delay

Related lists:

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Michael Jordan’s NASCAR Team Wins Daytona 500 for First Time

The victory comes two months after 23XI settled its antitrust suit against NASCAR.

Epstein Emails Show His F1 Ties Ran Deep

The sex trafficker’s circles included many of the biggest names in F1.
Bad Bunny

Bad Bunny: Super Bowl Halftime Show Will Be ‘Huge Party’

The Puerto Rican superstar gives no specific clues about the upcoming spectacle.
exclusive

Secret Service Reveals More About Spending on Trump’s Sports Travel

The agency spent nearly $800K protecting Trump at four major sports events.

Featured Today

Feb 10, 2026; Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy; Cory Thiesse and Korey Dropkin of the United States during the curling mixed doubles gold medal game during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium

Curling Clubs Are Swept Up in Olympics Fever. Can It Last?

Every four years, organizations field an influx of curling-curious patrons.
Max Valverde by Ron Winsett
February 17, 2026

How Ski Mountaineering’s Hype Man Went From TikTok to NBC

Max Valverde’s gushing over the niche sport vaulted him to Olympic broadcaster.
Feb 11, 2026; Livigno, Italy; Jaelin Kauf of the United States during freestyle skiing women's moguls final during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Livigno Aerials & Moguls Park
February 13, 2026

The Surprise Hit of the Winter Olympics: First-Person Drone Views

Tiny drone cameras have reshaped the Olympics viewing experience.
Feb 11, 2026; Milan, Italy; Madison Chock and Evan Bates of the United States skate during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milano Ice Skating Arena.
February 13, 2026

Olympic Figure Skaters Pay Out of Pocket for $9,000 Costumes

For four minutes on ice, stakes are high—and prices even higher.
Founder and CEO of TMRW/Sports, Mike McCarley left, and LPGA Commissioner Craig Kessler answer questions after announcing the WTGL golf league at SoFi Center on January 6, 2026, in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

Media Rights Negotiations Ramping Up For WTGL

The league is planning to launch in November or December.
Jan 29, 2022; St. Louis, MO, USA; Ronda Rousey celebrates after winning the women’s Royal Rumble match during the Royal Rumble at The Dome at America's Center.
February 19, 2026

Ronda Rousey Says UFC Was Not Interested in Fight With Gina Carano

Both fighters will undergo more medical testing than what’s required.
February 19, 2026

Super Bowl LX Viewership Revised, Still Falls Short of Record

The updated figure still trails the viewership for last year’s Super Bowl.
Sponsored

From MLS to AUSL: Jon Patricof on Building Sports Leagues

Jon Patricof on athlete equity, fan-first strategy, and how women’s sports can reshape the future of league building.
Jul 15, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) drives the ball against Connecticut Sun guard Leila Lacan (47) in the second quarter at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit:
February 19, 2026

ESPN to Fill ‘Sunday Night Baseball’ Void With ‘Women’s Sports Sundays’

The franchise will feature 12 games over a nine-week span.
Feb 17, 2026; Milan, Italy; Snoop Dogg looks on in the womens figure skating short program during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milano Ice Skating Arena.
February 18, 2026

Snoop Dogg Will Lead Olympic Hockey Alt-Cast During Men’s Quarterfinal

Team USA plays Sweden in the quarterfinals on Wednesday.
John Fanta is set to make his NBA play-by-play debut for NBC.
exclusive
February 18, 2026

John Fanta to Make ‘NBA on NBC Sports’ Play-by-Play Debut

Fanta will be on the call for Wolves-Blazers on Tuesday.
Adam Silver at All-Star
February 18, 2026

After Fixing All-Star Format, NBA and NBC Weighing Saturday Changes

NBC is eyeing a potential 1-on-1 or 2-on-2 tournament.