Formula One fan growth continues, boosted by China
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McLaren's Oscar Piastri during the Chinese Grand Prix in 2024.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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LONDON – Formula One added nearly 90 million new fans in 2024, with China showing the biggest percentage rise following the sport’s post-Covid return to Shanghai, according to data released by Nielsen Sports on March 19.
China was on the calendar last season for the first time since 2019 and the circuit hosts the second round of the 2025 campaign this weekend, although there is no longer a Chinese driver on the grid.
Zhou Guanyu is now a Ferrari reserve, after losing his race seat at Sauber.
Nielsen put Formula One’s global fandom at 826.5 million, 12 per cent more than in 2023, with a 39 per cent increase in fans following in China over the last 12 months.
The United States, a key growth market with three grands prix, showed a 10.5 per cent expansion. Canada (+31.5%), Argentina and Saudi Arabia (both +25.5%) were also strong.
The Argentine figures reflect the effect of Franco Colapinto last year becoming the country’s first driver on the grid since 2001 when he replaced dropped American Logan Sargeant at Williams.
Colapinto, 21, is now a reserve at Renault-owned Alpine and tipped to take a race seat there with Australian rookie Jack Doohan’s place seen at risk.
The 2025 season, the sport’s 75th, has already got off to a strong start with the official total estimated attendance at the opening Australian Grand Prix put at a record 465,498.
That total is more than 13,000 higher than 2024 and the race in Melbourne also drew a bigger TV audience than the previous year, with Nielsen reporting a 22 per cent increase.
Cumulative TV viewership was up more than 10 per cent in 2024 for the US Grand Prix in Austin, Texas.
American broadcaster ESPN also reported its largest Australian GP audience on record last weekend with an average 1.1 million viewers.
Nielsen added that Formula One’s digital footprint continued to expand, with YouTube highlights drawing an additional 233.0 million views.
“Formula One’s growth reflects its growing global appeal,” said Nielsen Sports’ global general manager Jon Stainer.
“With a more competitive season in 2024 and key markets like the US, China, and Brazil experiencing year-over-year fan growth, F1 continues to strengthen its position as a truly global sport.”
Last season saw McLaren replace Red Bull as constructors’ champions, although Red Bull’s Max Verstappen won his fourth title in a row, and seven drivers from four teams winning races.
The 2025 campaign started with McLaren’s Lando Norris ending Verstappen’s run of more than 1,000 days as championship leader by winning in Australia. REUTERS
