Over the last couple of years, Formula 1 — commonly referred to as F1 — has massively grown in popularity, through massive social media attention on platforms like TikTok, the Netflix show “Drive To Survive” and the influx of big-time money from major investors.
For those of you who don’t F1 from R2-D2, it consists of 10 teams, each working tirelessly to create the best car for their two drivers. With twenty talented drivers competing in the 24-race championship, anything can happen from the first race to the last. The races take place all over the world, from classic tracks like Monaco, and newer installments like the Las Vegas circuit, which all include various race distances.
Waking up early on Sunday mornings to watch F1 races may seem like too much of a chore, but it’s truly a fun way to start your day — especially now that the sport is more competitive than ever. A few Sundays ago, we both got up to watch the Italian Grand Prix, hosted at Monza — one of the most iconic circuits in F1, due to it being the fastest track on the F1 calendar and it hosting thousands of devoted fans that gather under the podium for a picture-perfect celebration after the race.
For both of us — and the millions of other F1 fans — the races are truly the best of both worlds. Not only do they have the rivalries, teamwork and competitive aspects of traditional sports competitions, they also provide these sources of entertainment through the medium of speed. To quote an infamous TikTok F1 edit, “What sports has stadiums that span cities? What sport makes even Vegas stop and stare?”
After a 2023 season in which Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen won a remarkable 19 out of 23 races, a competitive 2024 season was a welcome surprise. The newfound competitiveness from racers like Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri, Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton — who have each won multiple races this year — has led to an increase in viewership, specifically in the U.S., with the Miami Grand Prix scoring 3.1 million American viewers — the most in F1 history.
Social media is also a large factor in the spike of viewership with thousands of fan accounts and the hyperactive team and driver TikTok accounts. If you simply open TikTok and search “F1,” you will find thousands of videos — be it dramatic edits, funny videos, or F1 updates.
The social media hype has simply added to the false, yet interesting, narrative of F1 being one big reality show. This is also highlighted through Nextflix’s “Drive To Survive” — a show following the F1 teams on the grid each year. “Drive to Survive” has been a staple in the F1 paddock since 2018, gaining more popularity each year.
Initially, teams like Ferrari and Mercedes refused to take part in the show, but after seeing the impact it had on viewership, decided to join in. “Drive To Survive” brought more than 360,000 new viewers to F1 between the 2021 and 2022 seasons.
Although “Drive To Survive” is notorious for falsely editing audio and changing narratives to build drama, it is still worth watching if you’re looking to get into F1. The show explains how many aspects of F1 work and includes behind-the-scenes footage of most drivers, helping new viewers understand the intricacies of the sport.
In addition to the social media growth, celebrity investors have also taken interest in the sport — particularly with the France-based team Alpine. Despite struggling in the current season, Alpine’s investors list consists of an impressive number of well-known celebrities: actor Ryan Reylonds, Kansas City Chiefs football player Travis Kelce, golfer Rory Mclroy, boxer Anthony Joshua and soccer player Trent Alexander Arnold.
The hype through investors and social media has brought intense attention to the sport and increasing viewership. Despite Verstappen sustaining his championship lead, teams like McLaren and Ferrari continue to be on the rise and the future of the season remains undecided. So, next Sunday, wake up early and watch out for Sir Lewis Hamilton speeding down the track!
