F1 has been deeply integrated into the American culture, which is evident from the recent viewership records in the country after some of the major racing events took place earlier this week. The craze behind some of the top drivers, like Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri, and Lewis Hamilton, is what makes fans follow the F1 season 2025 crazily.
This rising trend of the F1 craze can be noted through the recent viewership records, as seen in the Chinese GP, which shattered all records. The race attracted an average of 824,000 viewers on ESPN, which marked a significant increase of 31.6% as compared to the previous year’s record, which had 624,000 viewers. The record is particularly impressive due to the race’s early morning time of 3 AM ET. The broadcast witnessed a peak of 967,000 viewers, showcasing a strong engagement among fans.
The growth can also be attributed to American drivers like Logan Sargent and Alexander Rossi, who foster a sense of national pride and interest. Their presence helps dispel the perception that F1 is solely a European sport, making it more relatable to the American audience.
The event was attended by approximately 220,000 spectators, which also marked a 10% increase from the previous year. Even though the event took place in China, it shows the increasing interest in F1 globally. The first two races of the 2025 season have seen a 65% increase in viewership compared to the same period in 2024.
The season-opening event, the Australian GP, also set a record with 1.11 million viewers, indicating a broader audience in the US for the F1 event. Not just that, the US has also emerged as a dominant force in F1 merchandise sales, having seen an upsurge of over 1,000%, with Americans leading the charge.
As the 2025 F1 season progresses, the craze and viewership are expected to soar even more with three major F1 racing events being scheduled in the US. The most recent event will be the Miami Open starting on 4 May 2025, which saw a record 3.1 million viewers last year, and it’s just expected to rise more.
Also Read: All You Need To Know About The Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas
