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Formula 1’s Meteoric Rise: Could It Become the World’s Most Popular Sport?

Carl Harrison by Carl Harrison
February 13, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 5 mins read
0
Desert Duel: McLaren and Ferrari Clash for F1 Supremacy as Qatar Decides Constructors’ Glory

Formula One F1 - Sao Paulo Grand Prix - Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace, Sao Paulo, Brazil - November 2, 2024 McLaren's Oscar Piastri, McLaren's Lando Norris, Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, Red Bull's Max Verstappen and drivers in action at the start of the sprint race REUTERS/Carla Carniel

From high-speed overtakes to record-breaking seasons, Formula 1 is in the fast lane to global dominance. In just three years, the sport has grown its global fan base by 5.7%, adding an estimated 50 million new followers to the paddock. With the surge in viewership, social media engagement, and even betting markets, the big question is: Could Formula 1 become the most followed sport in the world?

Let’s break down the factors fueling F1’s explosive popularity—and what it means for the sport’s future.


1. A Fast-Paced Digital Revolution

F1 is no longer just about race weekends—it’s a year-round digital spectacle. Consider these staggering numbers:

📱 63% increase in unique F1 web and app users
📺 23% boost in page views
🎥 Millions engage with YouTube’s algorithm-recommended race highlights and team content

From Netflix’s “Drive to Survive” to social media-driven storytelling, Formula 1 has mastered the art of online engagement. The sport’s teams and drivers aren’t just athletes anymore—they’re content creators. McLaren Unboxed, for instance, raked in 300,000+ views per episode before its suspension.

Meanwhile, social media icons like Lewis Hamilton (47M followers) and Max Verstappen (1.9M Instagram followers) bring in fresh audiences, transcending motorsport circles and infiltrating mainstream pop culture.

🚀 Takeaway: Formula 1 has built a digital-first ecosystem—something no other sport has done this effectively.


2. The Netflix Effect: Turning Casual Viewers Into Die-Hard Fans

If there’s one game-changer in F1’s global expansion, it’s Netflix’s “Drive to Survive”. Since the docuseries debuted in 2019:

🎥 28% of American adults now follow F1—and half of them credit Netflix for their fandom
👩 Female viewership skyrocketed from 8% in 2017 to over 40% today

What’s more? The Netflix effect has even reshaped sponsorship deals, as brands flock to F1 knowing the sport has become a global marketing goldmine.

📈 Takeaway: “Drive to Survive” isn’t just a series—it’s an F1 marketing masterstroke, fueling international expansion and capturing new demographics.


3. Betting, Big Business & Bold Markets

For fans looking to get in on the action, Formula 1 has become a betting powerhouse. The number of F1 bettors in the UK jumped by 18% from 2021 to 2022, and with the continued growth of sports gambling worldwide, F1 is positioning itself as a betting-friendly sport.

New-age platforms like BestBettingSites.com have streamlined F1 betting, making it easier than ever for fans to wager on:

✔ Race winners
✔ Fastest lap times
✔ Podium finishes & head-to-head battles

💰 Takeaway: As betting markets expand, Formula 1’s engagement levels will only increase.


4. Motorsport’s Rockstars: Hamilton, Verstappen & the Power of Personality

🏆 When Max Verstappen crushed the competition in 2023, delivering the most dominant season in F1 history, it wasn’t just about points—it was about legacy.

💥 Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton’s global influence extends beyond the track. His 47 million social media followers and relentless advocacy for diversity make him the face of F1’s modern era.

Formula 1 isn’t just a sport anymore—it’s a collection of personalities that sell stories. From George Russell’s social media charisma to Daniel Ricciardo’s fan-favorite antics, F1’s roster of drivers brings relatability and entertainment to the forefront.

🌟 Takeaway: Fans don’t just watch races—they follow their favorite drivers like celebrities.


5. Global Expansion: The Final Frontier?

Formula 1 already spans five continents, but its newest markets are booming:

🏁 Saudi Arabia: 11% increase in fanbase from 2023 to 2024
🏁 United States: Miami, Austin, and Las Vegas races all hit record attendance

🚨 The sport’s biggest brands—Ferrari, Mercedes, Red Bull—aren’t just racing, they’re expanding global influence.

💡 Takeaway: The more F1 adds markets and races, the closer it gets to challenging football (soccer) for global supremacy.


So, Can Formula 1 Become the Most Popular Sport in the World?

🔹 750 million fans already follow Formula 1
🔹 Racing is expanding across digital, betting, and entertainment platforms
🔹 Driver personalities & Netflix-fueled storytelling make it more accessible than ever

It may never surpass football (soccer), but Formula 1 is undeniably the fastest-growing sport in the world. With the right moves, it could overtake the NFL, NBA, and even the Olympics in global influence.

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