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Formula One’s Singapore Grand Prix set a US TV record for the event on Disney-owned ESPN.
Confirmed:
- 1.18 million watched Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz end Red Bull and Max Verstappen’s record-breaking winning run
- Viewership figure beats previous record of 1.04 million viewers, set at last year’s race
- More than 264,000 fans also attended the event, but that is down down from 302,000 in 2022
Context:
2023 viewership is more than double the 2019 figure (588,000), highlighting Formula One’s rapid rise in the US. Although, the series still trails Nascar by a distance and has more recently seen increased competition from IndyCar. While viewership increased, attendance at the race itself actually went down. However, this was due to a section of the track being closed due to the development of a new events venue, which resulted in a layout change for the circuit.
Comment:
And the #SingaporeGP has a new winner! Congratulations @Carlossainz55 , what a race! ��
— SingaporeGP (@F1NightRace) September 17, 2023
He ends Red Bull Racing’s unbeaten streak and takes his first ever win at the #F1nightrace! �� pic.twitter.com/nhnPrZi15L
Coming next:
Formula One viewership has stagnated in the US, with 2023 currently showing a one per cent decrease compared to last year. The ease at which Red Bull have dominated this season has been attributed to this stagnation, but without any true evidence. The first race at which they struggle producing record viewership for a Singapore Grand Prix suggests there may be some truth to this.
If Formula One is to continue growing in the US, then the likes of Ferrari, Mercedes and McLaren must continue their upward trend to ensure close fights at the front of the field are not an anomaly. Otherwise, the series faces growing disinterest, especially with the rise of the more competitive IndyCar in the US.