Overview
- ESPN averaged about 1.3 million viewers across 24 races in 2025, its highest F1 season on record, with 16 events setting new highs and 21 posting year-over-year gains.
- The Abu Dhabi finale averaged roughly 1.5 million viewers and peaked at 1.8 million on ESPN, the largest audience recorded for that race.
- U.S. F1 viewership has grown roughly 135–142% since ESPN regained rights in 2018, though Nielsen’s 2025 shifts to full out-of-home capture and Big Data + Panel complicate direct comparisons.
- Apple TV becomes the exclusive U.S. home of F1 in 2026 under a multi-year deal reported at about $700–$750 million, with races included in base subscriptions and access to F1 TV features.
- F1’s 2026 reset includes lighter cars, redesigned power units, smaller tires, and a budget cap of $215 million, with Cadillac/GM joining as an 11th constructor and Audi entering with its own power unit.