BREAKING:F1 suffers massive drop in US TV audience for… read more
Formula 1 has experienced a notable drop in U.S. television viewership for the 2025 Miami Grand Prix, marking a significant change from the previous year’s strong performance. According to data from Reuters and Nielsen Ratings, the race, which took place at the Hard Rock Stadium, averaged 2.17 million viewers on ABC. This figure represents a steep decline of approximately 30% compared to the 2024 edition of the event, which drew an average of 3.1 million viewers and set a new benchmark for F1 viewership in the United States.
Peak viewership for the 2025 Miami GP reached 2.4 million, still a noticeable reduction from the 3.6 million peak audience seen in the prior year. Despite this downturn, the 2025 Miami Grand Prix maintains its place as the third most-watched Formula 1 race in U.S. television history. It narrowly surpasses the 2023 Miami GP, which attracted a viewership of around two million, indicating that while there is a decline compared to last year’s record-breaking numbers, interest in the event remains relatively strong over the longer term.
Interestingly, Formula 1 was not the top motorsport attraction for American viewers over the same weekend. The NASCAR Cup Series race in Texas outperformed the F1 event, averaging 2.5 million viewers on Fox Sports 1 (FS1), demonstrating NASCAR’s continued dominance and deep-rooted fanbase in the U.S. motorsport scene.
The decline in F1’s Miami Grand Prix ratings comes at a potentially pivotal moment for the sport in the American market. ESPN’s current contract with Liberty Media, the parent company of Formula 1 and itself headquartered in the U.S., is set to expire at the end of this year. Under the terms of the deal, ESPN is reportedly paying between $75 million and $90 million annually for exclusive broadcasting rights. This drop in ratings could influence ongoing or future negotiations regarding broadcast agreements, potentially affecting the valuation of the rights package moving forward.
Despite the recent dip in audience numbers, Formula 1’s long-term presence in Miami appears secure. The sport recently extended its agreement with the Miami Grand Prix through the end of the 2041 season, indicating a sustained commitment to maintaining and growing its U.S. footprint. However, this latest viewership trend might raise questions about the effectiveness of F1’s broader strategy to appeal to American audiences, especially considering the investments made to popularize the sport in the region through races in Miami, Austin, and Las Vegas.
As Formula 1 continues to expand its global reach, maintaining momentum in the critical U.S. market will be essential. The coming months could prove crucial in shaping the future of its American broadcast presence and overall popularity stateside.
