Lando Norris outlasted reigning world champion Max Verstappen in his thrilling 2024 Miami Grand Prix win. Neither driver knew then, but the race had set a record for the most television viewers in Formula 1 history, with 3.1 million viewers. Since the pandemic, Formula 1’s viewership and high school fanbase have only increased.
At school, the shift toward Formula 1 has been noticeable. Avid fan sophomore Sador Belay has been tuning into the races while diving into the complexity of the sport. “My favorite part of the racing is learning about the bodies of the cars and how they work,” Belay said.
The technical side of Formula 1 has captured the attention of students with similar interests to Belay, such as mechanics and engineering.
As the sport becomes more accessible through social media and is aired on ESPN during primetime, more students are drawn to the strategy, pit stops and vehicle design. Formula 1’s attention to detail and innovation have made it particularly appealing to students interested in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields. These factors have also contributed to an engaging narrative that goes beyond speed, like the thrill of watching teams make risky decisions in the high-stakes race environment.
The Netflix series Drive to Survive has also played a crucial role in creating a new wave of younger Formula 1 fans. The groundbreaking show launched an unconventional approach by spotlighting the drivers rather than the technical aspects of the cars. “You can see now that F1 is trying to cater more to the American audiences and my friends like the show because [of] the drivers,” junior Maria Thomas said.
The personalities of the drivers and the rivalries between teams like McLaren and Ferrari have made the sport engaging beyond just the races. According to ESPN, the growth of Formula 1 viewership has nearly doubled, with just 600,000 viewers per race in 2020 now sitting at over 1 million. American company Liberty Media, which owns Formula 1 has made it known that their biggest goal was to increase the number of viewers in North America. They have been working to close the gap between the much larger European Formula 1 fan base since they bought the Formula 1 Group in 2017.
Along with an increase in viewers online, spectators in person have been transformed as races were added in Las Vegas, Austin and Miami. In 2023, the average weekend attendance for Formula 1 events totaled more than 270,000 spectators, up from 195,000 four years prior. “There used to be a Baltimore Grand Prix and if they ever brought it back, I would definitely go. Whenever I watch a race online, the atmosphere of fans looks great which also brings me into it more,” freshman Fabio Marinaro Pifano said.
Whether it’s the high-speed action, the technical aspects of the cars, or the personalities behind the wheels, Formula 1’s rise in popularity among students shows no signs of slowing down.
