Social networks, TV audiences, spectators: F1 clearly gaining popularity

La Formula 1 well thank you for her. This Thursday, February 17, F1 released its audience figures for the 2021 season as well as the number of spectators present on the circuits, and the results are more than positive.

Having become the new battlehorse for rejuvenating an aging public, social networks have reached staggering figures. If we understand Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Tiktok, Snapchat, Twitch and Chinese platforms like Weibo, WeChat, Toutiao and Douyin, the number of followers jumped 40% in one year to reach 49,1 million followers.

The number of video views increased by 50% with 7 billion views and an engagement rate of 1,5 billion (+74%). China wakes up with a 39% increase in followers (2,7 million) in the Middle Kingdom.

According to the F1 press release, these figures exceed the values ​​of other international sports, without being named.

No more people behind the screen

On the television side, again all the figures are in the green. The suspense finale in Abu Dhabi attracted 108,7 million viewers, an increase of 29% compared to the same Grand Prix without any stakes the previous year. This is quite logically the record recorded in 2021.

In addition, the cumulative TV audience in 2021 was 1,55 billion viewers, a small increase of 4% compared to 2020, while three sprint races appeared and the calendar increased from 17 to 22 rounds. . In France, Canal + jumped its audience by 48% over the entire season, just behind the United States (+ 58%) but far behind the Netherlands swept away by the madness Max Verstappen (+81%). This remains better than Italy (+ 40%) or the United Kingdom (+ 39%).

Looking in the rearview mirror, F1 achieved its best F1 audience figure since 2013, a time when the sport was not broadcast as much on pay channels in Europe in particular.

The circuits are filling up

The year 2020 was disrupted by Covid-19 and Grands Prix contested behind closed doors. The fans were gradually able to return to the stands, to the great pleasure of the promoters and F1. In 2021, 2,69 million spectators came to a race weekend; however, this is almost half as much as before the pandemic (4,16 million in 2019).

Three events attracted more than 300 people over a full weekend (Friday, Saturday, Sunday): the United States (000), Mexico (400) and Great Britain (000). Whether in Austin, Mexico or Silverstone, these figures exceed the totals recorded in 371, before the coronavirus (000 for the United States, 356 in Mexico and 000 across the Channel).

This avalanche of figures delights Stefano Domenicali, the President of F1. “The 2021 season has been something very special. We had a championship battle that went down to the last race with huge interest throughout the championship. We began to welcome back our fans who are the heart and soul of our sport and although we were limited in our capacities due to Covid, it was fantastic to see 2,6 million fans in the stands at the whole world.

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We also saw very strong numbers across broadcast and our digital platforms, once again showing the momentum, excitement and interest that surrounds Formula 1. We look forward to our record-breaking 23-race season this year, with new cars, new regulations, and a new challenge for all the teams and all the drivers. I know all of our fans can't wait for the season to start. »