Formula One fan growth continues, boosted by China
China was on the calendar last year for the first time since 2019 and the circuit hosts the second round of the 2025 season this weekend, although there is no longer a Chinese driver on the grid.
Zhou Guanyu is now Ferrari reserve, after losing his race seat at Sauber.
Nielsen put Formula One's global fandom at 826.5 million, 12% more than in 2023, with a 39% increase in fans following in China over the last 12 months.
The United States, a key growth market with three grands prix, showed a 10.5% expansion. Canada (+31.5%), Argentina and Saudi Arabia (both +25.5%) were also strong.
The Argentine figures reflect the effect of Franco Colapinto last year becoming the country's first driver on the grid since 2001 when he replaced dropped American Logan Sargeant at Williams.
Colapinto, 21, is now a reserve at Renault-owned Alpine and tipped to take a race seat there with Australian rookie Jack Doohan's place seen at risk.
The 2025 season, the sport's 75th, has already got off to a strong start with the official total estimated attendance at the opening Australian Grand Prix put at a record 465,498.
That total is more than 13,000 higher than 2024 and the race in Melbourne also drew a bigger TV audience than the previous year, with Nielsen reporting a 22% increase.
Cumulative TV viewership was up more than 10% in 2024 for the U.S. Grand Prix in Austin, Texas.
U.S. broadcaster ESPN reported its largest Australian GP audience on record last weekend with an average 1.1 million viewers.
Nielsen said Formula One's digital footprint continued to expand, with YouTube highlights drawing an additional 233.0 million views.
"Formula One's growth reflects its growing global appeal," said Nielsen Sports' global general manager Jon Stainer.
"With a more competitive season in 2024 and key markets like the U.S., China, and Brazil experiencing year-over-year fan growth, F1 continues to strengthen its position as a truly global sport."
Last year saw McLaren replace Red Bull as constructor's champions, although Red Bull's Max Verstappen won his fourth title in a row, and seven drivers from four teams winning races.
This season started with McLaren's Lando Norris ending Verstappen's run of more than 1,000 days as championship leader by winning in Australia.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Belfast Telegraph
2 hours ago
- Belfast Telegraph
How 'quiet street of private houses' became city's main retail road
Historian Jason Burke charts the development of the thoroughfare that is once again becoming vacant to vibrant In recent years, Belfast's Donegall Place has lost its claim to be the city's primary thoroughfare for shopping and retail. There were, of course, significant and well-founded reasons for the street's decline, not least the devastating fire at Bank Buildings which had a detrimental impact on footfall in the area, but also the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, which saw several businesses vacate their retail units in this (once) highly sought-after location. However, in June 2025, statistics from Belfast Improvement District — Belfast One revealed that retail outlets on Donegall Place will soon be at full occupancy once again as a result of a 'retail boom' in Belfast city centre.
Scottish Sun
4 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Celtic fans demand ‘where can I get one?' as South American club release Hoops-inspired kit in homage to Parkhead side
A SOUTH American club have unveiled their new kit inspired by Celtic, with Hoops fans liking what they see. The jersey unveiled yesterday by Argentinian side Club Atletico Sarmiento is a double call-back to the Hoops. 3 Club Atletico Sarmiento have released a kit inspired by Celtic Credit: Club Atletico Sarmiento / X 3 The Hoops are in call-back to the Lisbon Lions Credit: Club Atletico Sarmiento / X 3 The announcement video shows a bagpiper draped in the colours Credit: Club Atletico Sarmiento / X The top is inspired by their own kit from 1968, which in turn was inspired by the European Cup winners of the previous year - the famous Lisbon Lions. Sharing the latest bit of gear, Sarmiento said in a social media post: "A t-shirt is more than fabric, it connects stories. "In 1968, Sarmiento used a design inspired by Celtic, the European champions. A Scottish club with an Irish soul. "Today, we relaunch that t-shirt to celebrate the union and the Irish legacy in Junín." The launch video shows a man in the Hoops wielding bagpipes, while a voiceover says: "More than a century ago, the Irish community brought work, customs, and a colour that will stay with us forever. "In 1968, Sarmiento decided to wear the green and white jersey like Celtic, European Champions. A Scottish club with an Irish soul. "That shirt became history. Today we wear it again. "A tribute to the Irish community, to our city, to its roots, which are also part of our history." Also shown is a captain's armband in tricolours emblazoned with a shamrock. And some fans of a green and white persuasion are enamoured by this top, wondering how they can get their hands on one. Celtic linked with ANOTHER winger and is Balikwisha a DONE DEAL One wrote 'that's class', while another said it's 'better than what we have and a nice armband'. A fan commented 'I'd buy one of these' while others asked where to do so. But it seems that may not be an easy task, as the club has confirmed an initially limited sale. Sarmiento said: "A beauty. The first units of the new model will be on sale exclusively for members at our stand at the #ExpoJunín. Limited units. "The Sarmiento Athletic Club thanks everyone who made this production possible." One keen Hoops supporter replied in Spanish asking if it would be available for online purchase and delivery to Scotland, but the answer isn't yet known. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Scottish Sun
6 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Inside ‘secret' plans to turn iconic Glasgow building into ‘one of Europe's finest hotels'
It's one of Glasgow's biggest American-Classical-style commercial buildings UNDER WRAPS Inside 'secret' plans to turn iconic Glasgow building into 'one of Europe's finest hotels' Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) PLANS are in progress to transform an iconic Glasgow building into one of Europe's "finest" hotels. The B-listed 95 Bothwell Street building in the city centre is understood to be mostly empty. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Plans have been lodged with Glasgow City Council to transform 95 Bothwell Street Credit: Google Maps It's one of Glasgow's biggest American Classical-style commercial buildings. Proposals to turn it into a 235-room hotel have been submitted to the council. But details about the hotel company eyeing to take over the building have been kept under wraps. A statement about the proposed design read: 'The proposed confidential hotel operator is particularly excited about the potential provided by the building to create a best-in-class hotel of distinction, which they anticipate will be one of the finest in their operator's European portfolio. 'The listed building is soon to become entirely unoccupied. The commercial office use for which the building was built and designed is no longer viable. "The building has early indications of corrosion of the structural steel frame, which needs to be addressed to prevent damage to the significant external masonry façade. 'The proposed development is conservation-led and will integrate and repurpose the significant parts of the listed building into the new hotel use, whilst retaining its external appearance and presence within the street.' HFD Property Group Limited has lodged a planning permission request to alter the use of the building from 'offices at upper floors and restaurant/cafe and retail on ground floor to hotel". The proposals also include constructing a two-storey roof extension. Glasgow City Council is considering the application.
