F1 American Explosion: Another Record Falls in Canada, Proving the Hype is Real
If you've been following the Formula 1 season, you know the buzz around its growth in the U.S. is palpable. Well, guess what? The latest television viewership numbers from the Canadian Grand Prix are in, and they're not just good – they're record-breaking, adding yet another bullet point to the undeniable story of F1's booming popularity stateside.
Advertisement
Related: Final F1 movie trailer ignites anticipation ahead of June release
Canadian Grand Prix sets new record for viewers in the U.S.
Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images
The recent race in Montreal, broadcast live on ABC on Sunday, June 15, pulled in an astonishing 1.9 million viewers for the race-only portion. That's not just a significant number, it's the largest audience ever for the Canadian Grand Prix on U.S. television, even surpassing last year's record of 1.8 million. And for those tracking the future of the sport, the demographic numbers are equally encouraging, with 854,000 viewers in the crucial 18-49 age bracket tuning in. Even Saturday's qualifying session on ESPN2 snagged a respectable 593,000 viewers.
This success wasn't a fluke. The favorable North American time slot, kicking off at 2 PM Eastern Daylight Time, meant many U.S. fans could watch the high-octane action in prime daylight hours, without setting early alarms or staying up late. This accessible timing, combined with the exciting on-track action, clearly resonated with American audiences.
Advertisement
Related: F1 Growth Surge: How women are driving the sport forward
F1 growth in the U.S. continues to soar
Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
This isn't an isolated incident. Out of nine F1 races so far this season, all but one have seen year-over-year viewership increases, and five of them – Australia, China, Monaco, Spain, and Canada – have set event records. The Monaco Grand Prix alone drew the third-largest live audience ever for a Formula 1 race on U.S. television. Overall, F1 races are now averaging a robust 1.3 million viewers across ESPN, ESPN2, and ABC, a solid 6% jump year-over-year for the season-to-date. The younger 18-49 demographic is seeing even steeper growth, up 13% over the season-to-date average.
Advertisement
The momentum is undeniable. With the Austrian Grand Prix up next on June 29, F1 continues to cement its place as a major player in the American sports landscape.
Related: F1 vs. IndyCar: Key differences explained ahead of Indianapolis 500 and Monaco Grand Prix
Related Headlines
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
34 minutes ago
- Newsweek
F1 Owner Expands Motorsport Empire with MotoGP Takeover
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The owner of Formula One, Liberty Media Corporation, confirmed on July 3 that it has completed the purchase of MotoGP rights holder Dorna Sports. Apart from F1, Quint, and other minority investments, the American organization now lists MotoGP as a subsidiary. Liberty Media, a renowned player in the sports, media, and entertainment sector, acquired 84 percent of Dorna. The remaining 16 percent is held by the MotoGP management. The news arrives days after Newsweek Sports reported that Liberty Media was granted unconditional approval for the acquisition of Dorna for a reported $4.4 billion. Confirming the transaction, MotoGP stated: Team Ducati Lenovo Team's Marc Marquez (R) leads the race at the start of the MotoGP Aragon Grand Prix at the Motorland circuit in Alcaniz, northeastern Spain, on June 8, 2025. Team Ducati Lenovo Team's Marc Marquez (R) leads the race at the start of the MotoGP Aragon Grand Prix at the Motorland circuit in Alcaniz, northeastern Spain, on June 8, 2025. JOSE JORDAN / AFP/Getty Images "Liberty Media Corporation ("Liberty Media") (Nasdaq: FWONA, FWONK, LLYVA, LLYVK) and Dorna Sports, S.L. ("Dorna"), the exclusive commercial rights holder of the MotoGP™ World Championship ("MotoGP"), announced today that Liberty Media has completed its acquisition of Dorna. "Following transaction close, Liberty Media's Formula One Group is composed of its subsidiaries Formula 1, MotoGP, and Quint, and other minority investments." The takeover of MotoGP was supposed to conclude last year, but given the high-profile nature of the acquisition, the deal was under the European Union's lens, which carried out an investigation to understand the deal's impact on broadcasters and streaming platforms, especially given that two motorsport giants, F1 and MotoGP, would belong to a common owner. Following the European Union's approval, Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna, who will continue to manage MotoGP, said in a statement: "We are very happy that the European Commission has approved the transaction. This is an important milestone confirming the even brighter future that lies ahead for MotoGP. "MotoGP is one of the most thrilling sports on Earth, and we look forward to accelerating the sport's growth and expanding its reach to even more fans around the world. Liberty is the best possible partner for our sport and the entire MotoGP community, and we are excited to create even greater value for our fans, commercial partners and everyone competing." Liberty Media President and CEO, Derek Chang said: "Today's approval from the European Commission marks the final condition to closing Liberty's acquisition of MotoGP. We are thrilled to officially commence Liberty's partnership with Carmelo and his excellent management team. "MotoGP is a highly attractive premium sports asset with incredible racing, a passionate fanbase and a strong cash flow profile. We believe the sport and brand have significant growth potential, which we will look to realize through deepening the connection with the core fan base and expanding to a wider global audience." Considering the success F1 has witnessed since its acquisition by Liberty Media in 2017, and its expansion into new markets such as America, one could expect MotoGP to grow in a similar manner.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
2025 British Grand Prix predictions & F1 betting tips
Lando Norris to win - 7/4 William Hill Lewis Hamilton to finish on the podium - 11/4 BetVictor After winning in Austria last weekend, Lando Norris has his sights set on victory in his home race at Silverstone as the battle for the Formula 1 Drivers' Championship heats up. The Brit closed the gap on his McLaren teammate and world championship leader, Oscar Piastri, to just 15 points with his third win of the season so far at the Red Bull Ring. Betting sites reacted to Norris's win by trimming his F1 odds to win the Drivers' title and he's among the favourites to take rthe chequered flag on Sunday. Fellow Brits George Russell and Lewis Hamilton would also love a victory on home turf, but it's tough to imagine Hamilton repeating his emotional 2024 victory at Silverstyone, his first win at the track in three years. Since moving to Ferrari, things haven't quite gone according to plan, with the seven-time champion picking up just 91 points and so far failing to finish on the podium. His former Mercedes teammate is doing a bit better, though, with a win in Canada and podium finishes in Miami, Bahrain, China and Australia. He doesn't have the best of records at Silverstone, though with two retirements in his last three visits. Piastri will also be desperate to taste victory again to reaffirm his place at the top of the Drivers' Championship with a sixth win of the season. F1 betting sites are all backing Norris for the win at 7/4, just ahead of Piastri at 9/5 and Verstappen at 5/1. Reigning champion Verstappen didn't finish in Austria last weekend, bringing an end to a 31-race points streak. His last retirement before then was also on the first lap, at Silverstone in 2021, when he was also hit by a Mercedes. Verstappen is already 61 points behind Piastri at the top of the Drivers' Championship and has been on the podium at five of the first 11 races this year. He has history at Silverstone, winning in 2023, ahead of Norris and Hamilton, but that's his sole victory at the Northamptoshire track. It's hard to see past the McLaren's winning again, and Norris has shown with back-to-back podium finishes at this track in the last two years that he has the measure of Silverstone. British Grand Prix prediction 1: Lando Norris to win - 7/4 William Hill Things are definitely looking up for Ferrari with Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton finishing third and fourth, respectively, in Austria. They are expected to have another rear suspension upgrade for the Belgian Grand Prix, at the end of the month, but they should have some confidence going into this weekend's race. Hamilton is starting to appear more confident and comfortable with his car, which we know has the pace because his teammate has managed four podium finishes, including second place in Monaco. He has won eight of the last 11 British Grand Prix's though, so if he is going to turn his season around, this could be the race to do it. British Grand Prix prediction 2: Lewis Hamilton to finish on the podium - 11/4 BetVictor Bettors should always practice responsible gambling. When using gambling sites be aware that sports betting can be addictive. Please take steps to remain in control of your time and budget. The same applies whether you're using new betting sites, slot sites, casino sites, casino apps, betting apps, or any other gambling medium. Even the most knowledgeable punter can lose a bet, so always stick to a budget and never chase your losses. It's particularly important not to get carried away by any free bets or casino offers you might receive, both of which are available in abundance on gambling sites, but must be approached with caution. You can stay in control by making use of the responsible gambling tools offered, such as deposit limits, loss limits, self-exclusion and time-outs. You may also want to visit the following free organisations to discuss any issues with gambling you might be having: NHS Help GambleAware Gamblers Anonymous We may earn commission from some of the links in this article, but we never allow this to influence our content. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.
CNBC
an hour ago
- CNBC
Apple scores big victory with 'F1,' but AI is still a major problem in Cupertino
Apple had two major launches last month. They couldn't have been more different. First, Apple revealed some of the artificial intelligence advancements it had been working on in the past year when it released developer versions of its operating systems to muted applause at its annual developer's conference, WWDC. Then, at the end of the month, Apple hit the red carpet as its first true blockbuster movie, "F1," debuted to over $155 million — and glowing reviews — in its first weekend. While "F1" was a victory lap for Apple, highlighting the strength of its long-term outlook, the growth of its services business and its ability to tap into culture, Wall Street's reaction to the company's AI announcements at WWDC suggest there's some trouble underneath the hood. "F1" showed Apple at its best — in particular, its ability to invest in new, long-term projects. When Apple TV+ launched in 2019, it had only a handful of original shows and one movie, a film festival darling called "Hala" that didn't even share its box office revenue. Despite Apple TV+ being written off as a costly side-project, Apple stuck with its plan over the years, expanding its staff and operation in Culver City, California. That allowed the company to build up Hollywood connections, especially for TV shows, and build an entertainment track record. Now, an Apple Original can lead the box office on a summer weekend, the prime season for blockbuster films. The success of "F1" also highlights Apple's significant marketing machine and ability to get big-name talent to appear with its leadership. Apple pulled out all the stops to market the movie, including using its Wallet app to send a push notification with a discount for tickets to the film. To promote "F1," Cook appeared with movie star Brad Pitt at an Apple store in New York and posted a video with actual F1 racer Lewis Hamilton, who was one of the film's producers. Although Apple services chief Eddy Cue said in a recent interview that Apple needs the its film business to be profitable to "continue to do great things," "F1" isn't just about the bottom line for the company. Apple's Hollywood productions are perhaps the most prominent face of the company's services business, a profit engine that has been an investor favorite since the iPhone maker started highlighting the division in 2016. Films will only ever be a small fraction of the services unit, which also includes payments, iCloud subscriptions, magazine bundles, Apple Music, game bundles, warranties, fees related to digital payments and ad sales. Plus, even the biggest box office smashes would be small on Apple's scale — the company does over $1 billion in sales on average every day. But movies are the only services component that can get celebrities like Pitt or George Clooney to appear next to an Apple logo — and the success of "F1" means that Apple could do more big popcorn films in the future. "Nothing breeds success or inspires future investment like a current success," said Comscore senior media analyst Paul Dergarabedian. But if "F1" is a sign that Apple's services business is in full throttle, the company's AI struggles are a "check engine" light that won't turn off. At WWDC last month, Wall Street was eager to hear about the company's plans for Apple Intelligence, its suite of AI features that it first revealed in 2024. Apple Intelligence, which is a key tenet of the company's hardware products, had a rollout marred by delays and underwhelming features. Apple spent most of WWDC going over smaller machine learning features, but did not reveal what investors and consumers increasingly want: A sophisticated Siri that can converse fluidly and get stuff done, like making a restaurant reservation. In the age of OpenAI's ChatGPT, Anthropic's Claude and Google's Gemini, the expectation of AI assistants among consumers is growing beyond "Siri, how's the weather?" The company had previewed a significantly improved Siri in the summer of 2024, but earlier this year, those features were delayed to sometime in 2026. At WWDC, Apple didn't offer any updates about the improved Siri beyond that the company was "continuing its work to deliver" the features in the "coming year." Some observers reduced their expectations for Apple's AI after the conference. "Current expectations for Apple Intelligence to kickstart a super upgrade cycle are too high, in our view," wrote Jefferies analysts this week. Siri should be an example of how Apple's ability to improve products and projects over the long-term makes it tough to compete with. It beat nearly every other voice assistant to market when it first debuted on iPhones in 2011. Fourteen years later, Siri remains essentially the same one-off, rigid, question-and-answer system that struggles with open-ended questions and dates, even after the invention in recent years of sophisticated voice bots based on generative AI technology that can hold a conversation. Apple's strongest rivals, including Android parent Google, have done way more to integrate sophisticated AI assistants into their devices than Apple has. And Google doesn't have the same reflex against collecting data and cloud processing as privacy-obsessed Apple. Some analysts have said they believe Apple has a few years before the company's lack of competitive AI features will start to show up in device sales, given the company's large installed base and high customer loyalty. But Apple can't get lapped before it re-enters the race, and its former design guru Jony Ive is now working on new hardware with OpenAI, ramping up the pressure in Cupertino. "The three-year problem, which is within an investment time frame, is that Android is racing ahead," Needham senior internet analyst Laura Martin said on CNBC this week. Apple's services success with projects like "F1" is an example of what the company can do when it sets clear goals in public and then executes them over extended time-frames. Its AI strategy could use a similar long-term plan, as customers and investors wonder when Apple will fully embrace the technology that has captivated Silicon Valley. Wall Street's anxiety over Apple's AI struggles was evident this week after Bloomberg reported that Apple was considering replacing Siri's engine with Anthropic or OpenAI's technology, as opposed to its own foundation models. The move, if it were to happen, would contradict one of Apple's most important strategies in the Cook era: Apple wants to own its core technologies, like the touchscreen, processor, modem and maps software, not buy them from suppliers. Using external technology would be an admission that Apple Foundation Models aren't good enough yet for what the company wants to do with Siri. "They've fallen farther and farther behind, and they need to supercharge their generative AI efforts" Martin said. "They can't do that internally." Apple might even pay billions for the use of Anthropic's AI software, according to the Bloomberg report. If Apple were to pay for AI, it would be a reversal from current services deals, like the search deal with Alphabet where the Cupertino company gets paid $20 billion per year to push iPhone traffic to Google Search. The company didn't confirm the report and declined comment, but Wall Street welcomed the report and Apple shares rose. In the world of AI in Silicon Valley, signing bonuses for the kinds of engineers that can develop new models can range up to $100 million, according to OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. "I can't see Apple doing that," Martin said. Earlier this week, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg sent a memo bragging about hiring 11 AI experts from companies such as OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google's DeepMind. That came after Zuckerberg hired Scale AI CEO Alexandr Wang to lead a new AI division as part of a $14.3 billion deal. Meta's not the only company to spend hundreds of millions on AI celebrities to get them in the building. Google spent big to hire away the founders of Microsoft got its AI leader by striking a deal with Inflection and Amazon hired the executive team of Adept to bulk up its AI roster. Apple, on the other hand, hasn't announced any big AI hires in recent years. While Cook rubs shoulders with Pitt, the actual race may be passing Apple by.
