Miami Grand Prix Sees Largest Live F1 Audience on US Television

May 10, 2022

In a TV slot that the NBA Playoffs usually own, the inaugural Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix saw a record for a live audience.

Sunday’s F1 Miami GP averaged 2.07 million viewers on ABC, making it the most viewed live Formula 1 race in US television history. That’s because the 2002 Monaco Grand Prix, also on ABC, holds the number one spot with 2.78 million viewers, but was broadcast on a tape delay.

Vincenzo Landino @vincenzolandino

🇺🇸 The Miami Grand Prix on ABC saw 2.066 million viewers — the most viewed F1 race in the United States. since the 2002 Monaco Grand Prix which saw 2,783,675 viewers also on ABC, on tape delay, not live. #MiamiGP

Two of the ten most-watched F1 races have come this season alone, with the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix ranking tenth (1.45M).

F1 lost its head-to-head battle with the NASCAR Cup Series race from Darlington on FS1 (2.61M) but won easily in the coveted 18-49-year-old demographic (735K to 517K).

Vincenzo Landino @vincenzolandino

By comparison, on Sunday, @NASCAR Cup Series at Darlington on FS1 got 2.614 million viewers, with 517k in the 18-49 demographic. Formula 1 had fewer overall viewers than NASCAR, but had 735k in that coveted 18-49 demographic. #MiamiGP

In-person attendance for the race was also strong. Over 242,000 fans came to the Stadium complex over the three-day weekend and 85,280 showed up for race day.

Vincenzo Landino @vincenzolandino

Attendance numbers for the #MiamiGP 242,955 fans came to the Miami International Autodrome complex over the three-day weekend. For race day, 85,280 fans showed up — the largest crowd on record for @HardRockStadium.

How does this compare to other race weekends?

Using last year’s numbers (and including the Australian Grand Prix from this year) it would make the Miami GP #5.

For the USA, these numbers are promising and for Formula 1 these numbers mean the move into the United States is working. It also justifies the Vegas move instantly.

Are you impressed by what you saw in Miami? Sound off below.