ESPN Shatters US F1 Viewership Records in Last Season Before Apple TV Takeover!
In an electrifying finale to its coverage of Formula 1, ESPN has set a staggering viewership record, bringing in an average of 1.3 million fans tuning in for each race during the 2025 season. As the curtain falls on its tenure before the broadcast rights shift to Apple TV in 2026, this season has proven to be a monumental success for the network, showcasing the thrilling rivalries and nail-biting finishes that have captivated audiences across the United States.
The 2025 season was not just another year; it was a spectacle defined by fierce competition, notably the intense intra-team clash between McLaren’s rising stars, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. As the season progressed, the tension escalated, culminating in a heart-stopping showdown at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Fans were on the edge of their seats as Max Verstappen from Red Bull surged to the front, but it was Norris who emerged triumphant, clinching his first drivers’ title with a third-place finish in a nail-biting finale.
The numbers tell a compelling story: the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix alone attracted an impressive average of 1.5 million viewers, peaking at an astonishing 1.8 million, according to data from Nielsen Big Data + Panel. This season’s viewership figures reflect a remarkable growth trajectory from previous years: in 2018, ESPN averaged just 554,000 viewers, but by 2025, that number had more than doubled, showcasing the surging popularity of Formula 1 in America.
From its initial broadcast rights acquisition in 2018 to its notable stint between 1984 and 1997, ESPN has played a crucial role in popularizing F1 in the U.S. With the announcement in October 2025 of the new broadcasting deal that will transfer rights to Apple TV, ESPN expressed pride in its achievements, stating, “We’re incredibly proud of what we and Formula 1 accomplished together in the United States and look forward to a strong finish in this final season. We wish F1 well in the future.”
F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of the partnership: “I think that our duty is to look into the future and try to make sure that F1 can have the right platform for developing our growth. And therefore, I really want to thank ESPN for what they did today together, because they invested in us when no one was really ready to invest in us many, many years ago.”
As the world of motorsport braces for a new era with Apple TV at the helm, one thing is clear: ESPN’s legacy in American Formula 1 will be remembered for its explosive viewership and thrilling races that captured the hearts of millions. Will Apple TV be able to build on this momentum? The motorsport community is watching closely as the excitement continues!
