F1
F1 ratings fail to take off in the US
© Xavi Bonilla / DPPI
Although they are fond of the famous “American show”, American spectators still do not seem to be hooked on the Formula 1. And it's not the Yankee touch that the product has been lacking since Liberty Media completely took over F1 almost 8 years ago.
In a country with a population of over 330 million, the craze for the premier category of motorsport has not taken off over time, despite its international popularity. ESPN's Latest Report, F1 broadcaster in Uncle Sam's country, bears witness to this pain.
A few days after the final whistle in Abu Dhabi, the channel published its first figures of the season. It is clear that they have not progressed. There has even been a regression. Indeed, each Grand Prix was followed on average by 1,13 million spectators compared to 1,16 in 2023 (second most followed season), a decrease of 3%. Note that this is a trend that is confirmed since the 2022 campaign posted a record average of 1,2 million spectators.
Similar figures to those of Canal+ in 2023 while France has almost 5 times fewer inhabitants.
ESPN has doubled its audience in 6 years
During this 2024 season, ESPN has however witnessed some encouraging marks with a peak at the Miami Grand Prix with an average of 3,1 million spectators. A record for the channel.
In addition, 7 Grands Prix set an audience record compared to previous years (Miami, Monaco, Canada, England, Italy, Qatar and Abu Dhabi) while 11 of them saw their audience increase from one season to the next (Japan, Miami, Monaco, Canada, Spain, England, Hungary, Netherlands, Italy, Qatar, Abu Dhabi).
Not to mention that ESPN, which has taken over the monopoly on broadcasting Formula 1 in the United States since 2018, has doubled its audience from an average of 554 viewers to 000 million.
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Gonzalo Forbes
In charge of promotion formulas (F2, F3, FRECA, F4...). Carried by the grace of Franco Colapinto.
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Lucas Paul
12/12/2024 at 05:36 a.m.
Americans want drama on the tracks, accidents and deaths! That's their mentality, but unfortunately for them it doesn't exist in F1......
vincent moyet
12/12/2024 at 04:36 a.m.
Not only are the US series more open on a sporting level, but there are superb circuits in the United States like Laguna Seca, Mid Ohio, Elkhart Lake, on which F1 refuses to race because they are too far from the luxury hotels sought by the "bling bling" public targeted by F1. F1 is simply targeting the wrong people in the United States and will remain shunned as long as it refuses to be popular.
JAFFRENNOU Philippe
12/12/2024 at 12:22 a.m.
Normal, Indy Car races are much more open and spectacular in general!...it's a Drivers' Championship, not a Teams' Championship...
Yves-Henri RANDIER
12/12/2024 at 12:18 a.m.
Record average of 1,2 million spectators (!!!) when there are 5 times more inhabitants in the United States than in France, 3 Grand Prix in the States against 0 in France and one American driver against 2 French. That being said, the Yankee tracks are really not exciting with the "tilkeries" of Miami and Las Vegas, Austin being more spectacular.
DANIEL MEYERS
12/12/2024 at 11:56 a.m.
To have a valid point of comparison, we would need the audiences and their developments in other motor sports in the US: Indycar, Nascar, IMSA.