Formula 1’s Meteoric Rise: The Numbers Behind the Boom

Since Liberty Media acquired Formula 1 in 2017, the sport has surged to new heights, transforming into one of the world’s most popular annual sporting series.

The Netflix docu-series  Drive to Survive,  which debuted in 2019, has been a key driver of this growth, complemented by Liberty Media’s broader strategic vision.

As the 2025 season resumes at the Dutch Grand Prix, F1’s remarkable ascent is evident in its record-breaking metrics as supplied by Liberty Media and FOM during the last quarterly earnings report.

Unprecedented Attendance Growth

Race attendance has skyrocketed, with the first 14 rounds of the 2025 season drawing 3.9 million fans—a 50% increase from the 2.6 million recorded in 2018. Eleven of these 14 events sold out, with six setting new attendance records.

Standout figures include the Australian Grand Prix (465,000 attendees) and the British Grand Prix (500,000). The Spanish, Canadian, Austrian, and Belgian Grands Prix each surpassed 300,000 attendees, underscoring F1’s global draw.

A Growing, Diverse Fanbase that dwarfs IndyCar and NASCAR

F1’s global fanbase now stands at 827 million, cementing its position as the world’s leading annual sports series. This represents a 12% year-on-year increase and a 63% jump since 2018. The sport’s social media presence has also exploded, reaching 97.4 million followers by the end of 2024—over five times the 18.7 million recorded in 2018.

The demographic is shifting too. Fans are getting younger, with 43% now under 35 (up from 30% in 2018), and more diverse, with women making up 42% of the fanbase—a 5% rise since 2018, equating to 43 million new female fans in the past year.

A Robust Future

F1’s growth is reflected in its expanding calendar and long-term race contracts. Most events are now secured into the 2030s, with the Miami and Austrian Grand Prix locked in until 2041. As Formula 1 continues its upward trajectory, its global influence and appeal show no signs of slowing down.