ESPN Sets All-Time US F1 Viewership Record in Final Season Before Apple TV Switch
ESPN signed off as Formula 1's U.S. broadcaster by achieving its highest-ever season average of 1.3 million viewers per race in 2025, capped by 1.8 million tuning into the dramatic Abu Dhabi finale. The record highlights the sport's tremendous growth stateside during ESPN's tenure, setting a high bar for incoming rights holder Apple TV+ starting in 2026.
ESPN concluded its tenure as Formula 1's US broadcaster by setting an all-time viewership record, averaging 1.3 million viewers per race across its channels in 2025. The season culminated in a dramatic finale, where Lando Norris secured his first Drivers' Championship at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, a race that drew a peak audience of 1.8 million viewers.
Why it matters:
This record-breaking send-off underscores the massive growth of F1's popularity in the United States during ESPN's stewardship, which began in 2018. The sustained high viewership, even in a season transitioning to a new broadcaster, demonstrates a solidified and engaged American fanbase. It sets a high benchmark for Apple TV+ as it prepares to take over exclusive US broadcast rights starting in 2026.
By the numbers:
- 2025 Season Average: 1.3 million viewers per race (ESPN, ESPN2, ABC)
- Abu Dhabi GP Peak: 1.8 million viewers
- Viewership Growth: ESPN's average audience has more than doubled since it acquired the rights in 2018, rising from 554,000 viewers that year.
- Historical Context: The 2025 average surpasses the previous highs set during the intense 2021 season (948,000) and the 2022 season (1.21 million).
The big picture:
ESPN's era, which also included a previous stint from 1984-1997, was pivotal in mainstreaming F1 in the American sports landscape. The broadcaster invested in the sport when its stateside popularity was niche, leveraging the "Drive to Survive" effect and a calendar expansion featuring three US races. The tense 2025 title fight between McLaren's Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, with a late surge from Max Verstappen, provided the perfect narrative for a record-breaking finale, proving the audience is now hooked on the championship drama itself.
What's next:
All eyes turn to Apple TV+, which faces the significant challenge of maintaining—and ideally growing—this record audience under its new, exclusive streaming deal beginning in 2026. The tech giant will need to leverage its platform's capabilities and global reach to introduce innovative broadcast features and accessibility to satisfy the established fanbase and attract new viewers. ESPN's record exit proves the market is there, but capturing it in a streaming-first environment is the next frontier for F1 in America.