- Exclusivity period between F1 and ESPN to expire before the end of the year
- Series targeting significant increase on current deal, which is worth US$85m per season
- General Motors-backed team would be fronted by Andretti Global majority shareholder Dan Towriss
Formula One has initiated discussions with its broadcast partner ESPN over its next US media rights deal, according to the Financial Times (FT).
The motorsport series still has one year left on its existing deal with the Disney-owned broadcaster, which was signed in 2022, but the FT reports that talks are currently underway during an exclusive negotiating period that expires before the end of the year.
The FT adds that the current contract is worth about US$85 million a year, with Formula One targeting a major jump in revenue for the next cycle. Should ESPN fail to agree a renewal during the exclusivity period, it would likely face competition from rival broadcasters.
Ahead of the US Grand Prix in Austin last month, Formula One was averaging 1.16 million viewers in the US. This represents a slight increase on viewership compared to last season, but remains down on the figure of 1.21 million viewers per race recorded in 2022.
Speaking to BlackBook Motorsport last month, John Suchenski, senior director of programming and acquisitions for ESPN, said that the series’ scheduling made it a challenging start for this season, with only one of the first six races averaging over one million US viewers. The Monaco Grand Prix became a turning point for the series’ US viewership this season, as it kicked off a run that saw ten of the 11 ensuing races average over one million viewers.
In the US, the most-viewed race of the season so far was May’s Miami Grand Prix, which averaged 3.1 million viewers. That figure made it the most-watched race in US history, with a 58 per cent year-over-year (YoY) increase in viewership.
Suchenski also shared his belief that ESPN’s exclusivity was a positive for the series as it establishes a consistent American audience for races.
“When we first started out, [Formula One’s] key priority was exposure and growth in the US,” he said. “Clearly, we have accomplished that. Now, it’s how do we continue to take it to new levels?
“That’s where we’re trying out new things and working together and collaborating on new ideas and new approaches…I think it’s accurate to say that it has been a success.”
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Elsewhere, multiple reports suggest Formula One is also engaged in talks over adding an 11th team to the grid for 2026.
Earlier this year, US-based team Andretti, which is backed by General Motors, saw its proposed entry in 2025 rejected by the series. However, Sky Sports now reports that General Motors representatives and Dan Towriss, the majority shareholder of Andretti Global, are set to hold talks with Formula One during this weekend’s Las Vegas Grand Prix over joining the grid in 2026.
According to the Associated Press (AP), Michael Andretti’s decision to step aside from running his eponymous organisation in September was a turning point for discussions centred around adding a new team. Sky Sports reports that the new outfit would be backed significantly by and be centred around General Motors, while being fronted by Towriss.
While Cadillac, a division of General Motors, is willing to develop engines for the team, it is unlikely they would be ready before 2028. AP reports that a partner engine supplier would likely be brought in for 2026.
Most of Formula One’s ten teams have stated that their opposition to the addition of a new challenger was based on commercial reasons, as prize money would be diluted further and an 11th team would not provide value to the series.
Speaking to reporters in Las Vegas, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff emphasised that the teams have no say in any decision to add a new team to the grid. He pointed out that it was down to Formula One Management (FOM) and the International Automobile Federation (FIA) to decide.
“We have an obligation, a statutory obligation as directors, to present the standpoint that is the best for our company and for our employees, and we’ve done that,” Wolff said. “I think if a team can add to the championship, particularly if GM decides to come in as a team owner, that is a different story.
“And as long as it is creative, that means we’re growing the popularity of the sport, we’re growing the revenue of the sport, then no team will be ever against it. So I’m putting my hope in there.
“It is the commercial rights holder, with the FIA. We have no say. I don’t know the people. I’ve obviously spoken to Mario. I didn’t speak to his son. I didn’t speak to any other people that are behind that. I don’t know who they are. So I know GM. GM is great.”
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