What does the NFL reveal about Formula 1's American ceiling?

In the United States, sports culture is largely defined by Sundays. The NFL isn't just the biggest sport in America; it's the benchmark for all others. An average NFL regular-season game attracts nearly 19 million viewers in the US, while a popular Formula 1 race typically has around 1.3 million viewers.

This isn't indicative of failure; instead, it provides perspective. Formula 1 doesn't need to become the NFL; it only needs to capture a fraction of the NFL's audience. The idea that a Formula 1 race could one day attract half the viewership of an average NFL game isn't far-fetched. This could translate to roughly 9 or 10 million viewers in the US—still a significant distance from the NFL's supremacy, but nearly 10 times Formula 1's current audience. This comparison is important. We aren't discussing matching America's largest sport; we're exploring the potential to tap into an existing audience that could represent substantial growth without disrupting the current landscape.

A bold vision and a bit of luck have led to Formula 1's (F1) growth. This surge in popularity wasn't merely a random occurrence or a fluke; it was the result of efforts initiated a decade earlier. These efforts served as the catalyst for igniting a thriving market.

The rise in viewership became evident after F1's return to ESPN, followed by the launch of *Drive to Survive* in 2019. The pandemic in 2020, along with a high demand for new content, drove viewership to unprecedented levels. F1 then delivered one of its most remarkable seasons in 2021, filled with drama that captivated fans and attracted new audiences.

This expansion significantly boosted F1's market reach, greatly increasing its overall value—TV rights, team valuations, and marketing values skyrocketed—compressing a decade of growth into just one or two years. Efforts focused on the US market, such as hosting races in Miami and Las Vegas, involved crucial decisions that set the stage for remarkable growth potential in one of the largest markets for major sports.