TV viewing figures must be next big push for F1 in America, says Brown

MIAMI, May 1 : Formula One's next big push in the United States has to be growing the television ratings significantly, McLaren boss Zak Brown said on Friday.

The sport has surged in popularity in recent years, thanks to the hugely successful Netflix docu-series 'Drive to Survive' and three races in the United States as well as Apple's recent blockbuster F1 movie with Brad Pitt.

Viewing figures for a global sport that previously struggled for traction in North America still pale in comparison to mainstream U.S. sports such as the NFL, however.

Brown told an Autosport Business Exchange (ABX) event at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium that Formula One was just getting started in terms of the content it could share on digital platforms.

HAPPY WITH THREE U.S. RACES

"I think it's going to be TV ratings," Brown said when asked about the growth pathway.

"I think we've got three fantastic grands prix and while I think we could definitely support four and five, that would come at the cost of other markets that I think we need to get into," said the American.

"So I'm happy where we are, because I do think there's some other growth areas in South Africa, Korea, things of that nature.

"I think TV ratings are still relatively small compared to the NFLs of the world. I think that's the biggest area of growth, getting the TV ratings up."

Apple TV has taken over from Walt Disney's ESPN this season as Formula One's exclusive U.S. broadcaster, with live coverage of all 24 rounds and the potential to bring more people to the sport through mobiles and apps.

Some 47 per cent of new U.S. Formula One fans, those who have followed the sport for five years or less, are aged 18-24 and more than half are female, according to a 2025 Global F1 Fan Survey.

ESPN