ESPN has shattered its previous viewership record for the Australian Grand Prix, reporting a staggering average of 1.1 million viewers for the thrilling season-opener. The previous milestone, set in 2019, stood at 659,000 viewers, a number that was easily eclipsed by last weekend’s high-octane event.
The Grand Prix, which saw Lando Norris clinch an exhilarating victory in the rain-soaked tracks of Melbourne, was fraught with drama. Norris managed to fend off a formidable challenge from Max Verstappen, amidst a race punctuated by multiple Safety Car periods. The nail-biting event was broadcasted on ESPN, starting at midnight Eastern Time, and ended with the wave of the checkered flag just after 0200 ET.
The viewership peaked at an impressive 1.3 million during the initial stages of the race, more than doubling the average of 541,000 who tuned in to ESPN2 to watch Carlos Sainz’s triumphant race in 2024. Interestingly, last year’s race at Albert Park was only the third round of the season, following two dominating victories by Verstappen.
Despite these impressive figures, the average viewership did see a slight dip compared to the first race of 2024. The Bahrain Grand Prix pulled in 1.12 million viewers on a Saturday morning last year, and a whopping 1.32 million on a Sunday morning in 2023. Nevertheless, these numbers are an encouraging sign for ESPN, considering the Australian race’s challenging timezone.
These promising figures hint at a potential record-breaking season in 2025 for ESPN, as Formula 1 continues to captivate audiences. However, this might also be the final year of broadcasting for ESPN, as the current deal with Formula 1 expires. The broadcasting rights for the high-octane motor racing sport are highly coveted, and streaming giants Netflix, Apple, and Amazon, among others, are reportedly in the running to secure them.
As the Formula 1 2025 season gets underway, ESPN’s impressive start may just be the prologue to a record-shattering year. With the sport’s broadcasting future in the balance, the upcoming races promise to be as thrilling off the track as they are on it.
