Lando Norris' Historic F1 Win Sets Record Viewership in the US

Lando Norris clinched his maiden Formula 1 victory at the Miami Grand Prix on May 5, captivating a record-breaking live audience of 3.1 million viewers on ABC.

This marked the largest viewership for an F1 race in the United States, with a peak of 3.6 million viewers, representing a significant 48 percent surge compared to last year.

The strategic timing of the race, starting at 4 pm Eastern Time, proved favourable, contrasting with the early 9 am Eastern Time starts common in Europe-based Grand Prix.

Notably, Norris' triumph for McLaren broke the dominance of two-time world champion Max Verstappen and Red Bull Racing, diversifying the winner's circle for the first time since 2022.

Additionally, the Sprint race over the Grand Prix weekend attracted a substantial viewership of 946,000 on ESPN, surpassing previous records set since the introduction of the format in 2021.

Despite initial concerns about scheduling conflicts, F1 enthusiasts in the US were treated to uninterrupted coverage, as other motorsport events like Nascar's Cup Series race in Kansas faced delays.

The rising popularity of F1 in the US is further evident through demographic data, with 1.3 million viewers from the 18-49 age group tuning in for the Miami Grand Prix.

F1's continued efforts to engage American audiences, bolstered by Netflix's Drive to Survive docuseries, have paid dividends, with viewership numbers steadily climbing since the sport's return to ESPN in 2018.

The recent launch of a free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) channel further underscores F1's commitment to expanding its reach across the US.