F1 Closing In: U.S. Viewership Just 1 Million Behind NASCAR for Fourth Straight Race

Formula 1 is quickly gaining ground in the United States, where it has traditionally trailed NASCAR in popularity. For the fourth consecutive race, F1’s U.S. viewership numbers are within one million of NASCAR’s, signaling a major shift in the racing landscape. Once a niche sport in America, Formula 1 has seen a steady surge in interest, largely thanks to high-profile American races, streaming accessibility, and hit shows like Netflix’s Drive to Survive.

NASCAR, long the dominant racing series in the U.S., continues to draw large audiences, but F1’s growth reflects changing tastes and demographics. Younger viewers, many of whom are drawn to the global appeal and faster pace of F1, have been tuning in consistently. As a result, F1’s American following is rising at a rate that few could have anticipated even a few years ago.

Key to F1’s U.S. popularity boost are recent races in high-profile American cities, including Austin, Miami, and Las Vegas, which not only attract fans but also garner significant media coverage. F1 has also benefited from increased accessibility, as major networks and streaming services have made races more available to American fans than ever before.

The sustained viewership gap of less than one million between F1 and NASCAR highlights a shift that could reshape the future of American motorsport viewership. As F1 continues to expand its footprint in the U.S., NASCAR is working to keep its position as the top racing choice. This viewership rivalry shows no signs of slowing, and as F1 inches closer to overtaking NASCAR in viewership, American fans are seeing a new era of motorsport competition unfold.