• Loading stock data...
Thursday, December 11, 2025

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

Nov 21, 2025; Las Vegas, NV, USA; McLaren driver Lando Norris (4) Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen (1) and Mercedes driver George Russell (63) pose for a photo with race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase following the Las Vegas Grand Prix at Las Vegas Strip Circuit.

F1 Breaks Ratings Record, Widespread Changes Coming in 2026

ESPN held F1’s U.S. broadcasting rights for eight years.
exclusive

FloSports Buys Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series

Dirt racing was a major audience driver on FloSports this year.
Verstappen

F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix Breaks Viewership Record In Year 3

The previous two races started at 1 a.m. ET. 

Penalties in Vegas Reignite F1 Title Fight—and ESPN’s Final Stretch

There are two races and a sprint race remaining in the calendar.

Featured Today

The Los Angeles Chargers host executives from UCLA Health on Wednesday, August 7, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.

The Multibillion-Dollar Business of Pro Athlete Recovery

What started as ice baths has evolved into a multibillion-dollar industry.
Big League Wiffle Ball
November 29, 2025

Celebrity-Backed Wiffle Ball Has Big-League Aspirations

Big League Wiffle Ball team owners include Kevin Costner and David Adelman.
November 24, 2025

How NBA Arena Experiences Went Ultra-Luxe

For the most connected guests, the game has become a secondary attraction.
Nov 23, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) throws a pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the fourth quarter at SoFi Stadium.
November 24, 2025

Stafford, Rams Rise From the Pack to Super Bowl Contention

The NFL team now has the top odds to win Super Bowl LX.

Ellison Takes Fight for TNT Sports Parent Straight to Shareholders

A lengthy and emotional letter implores investors to tender their shares.
Notre Dame athletic director Pete Bevacqua, right, looks on during a NCAA men's basketball game against Bellarmine at Purcell Pavilion on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, in South Bend.
opinion
December 10, 2025

Notre Dame’s TV Ratings Don’t Match Its Reputation

The Fighting Irish were the 15th most-watched college team this season, according to Nielsen.
exclusive
December 10, 2025

Christine Williamson Replacing Elle Duncan on ‘SportsCenter,’ ‘College GameDay’

Williamson landed the two highly coveted jobs after Duncan left for Netflix.
Sponsored

20 Years of Coastal Cool: How Johnnie-O Became a Force in Golf,..

A style movement powering one of the fastest-growing brands in sports and lifestyle.
exclusive
December 10, 2025

Tennis Star Ben Shelton Launching YouTube Channel, Docuseries

Exclusive: Shelton’s new series will air on YouTube and his Instagram and TikTok.
Dec 6, 2025; Arlington, TX, USA; A view of a tv camera and the ESPN college football logo before the game between the Texas Tech Red Raiders and the BYU Cougars at AT&T Stadium.
December 10, 2025

Completed Disney Deal Finally Clears Way for YouTube TV Sports Bundle

A new sports plan follows a run of new carriage agreements.
Gianni Infantino
December 9, 2025

Fox Quiet on In-Game Commercial Breaks in New World Cup Format

The breaks will happen regardless of conditions.
Sep 24, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Taylor Swift laughs while watching the Kansas City Chiefs vs Chicago Bears game during the first half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
December 9, 2025

Why Taylor Swift Is Barely on Chiefs Broadcasts This Year

There are several reasons viewers are seeing less of Swift during Chiefs games.