The Formula 1 Qatar Grand Prix broadcast on ESPN2 drew a record-breaking average of 1.4 million viewers on Sunday, Nov. 30. This marks the largest U.S. television audience ever for this event, as reported by Nielsen Big Data + Panel data.
Viewership peaked at 1.7 million between noon and 12:15 p.m. ET, surpassing the previous Qatar Grand Prix record of 990,000 set earlier this season. The race’s popularity helped continue a trend of rising engagement for Formula 1 races on U.S. screens.
This season has seen 15 viewership records shattered across ESPN, ESPN2, and ABC in 23 F1 race broadcasts. The average audience per race this season stands at 1.3 million, poised to become the highest ever for live Formula 1 telecasts in the United States.
For context, the current all-time average viewer record for a live F1 race in the U.S. was 1.21 million, established in 2022. The surge in audience numbers reflects growing interest and broader accessibility of the sport.
Looking ahead, the F1 season finale will take place at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday, Dec. 7. This final race will be aired live on ESPN and available for streaming on the ESPN App at 7:55 a.m. ET.
Key Viewership Highlights:
- Average audience for the Qatar Grand Prix: 1.4 million
- Peak viewership: 1.7 million viewers
- Previous Qatar GP record: 990,000 viewers
- Season average per race: 1.3 million viewers
- 15 viewership records set across ESPN networks this season
These figures confirm Formula 1’s escalating presence and popularity in the U.S. sports market, with ESPN’s coverage playing a crucial role in delivering the action to a growing fan base.
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