Formula 1 global TV audience reaches 1.9 billion viewers!

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Formula 1's audience figures continued to grow in 2019 across both the sport's TV and digital platforms, reaching a global audience of 1.922 billion viewers!

The cumulative number was the highest since 2012 and represented a 9% increase relative to 2018.

F1's top five markets remained unchanged in 2019, with Brazil, Germany, Italy, the UK and the Netherlands leading the viewership numbers with audiences for each country higher that 100 million.

However, exceptional increases were noted among several territories, with Poland's audience boosted by 256% thanks to Robert Kubica's return to the sport, while new contract arrangements also benefitted viewership in the Middle East and in North Africa.

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Audiences also continued to grow in Greece (+75%), the Netherlands (+56%), Italy (+29%) and Germany (+23%) as well as in the United States (+7%) and in China (+5%).

Last September's Italian Grand Prix generated the highest audience with 112 million viewers, the highest number since the 2016 Mexican Grand Prix.

Formula 1 sustained its healthy growth on social media, with followers reaching 24.9 million (+32.9% compared to 2018) on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

F1's digital platforms surpassed 1 billion pageviews, almost doubling its 2018 number.

Ian Holmes, director of media rights was particularly satisfied with the Formula 1's audience growth in 2019.

"I think that it should be acknowledged that in the ever-fragmented media landscape we live in, achieving a flat-line is a ‘win’ so to have secured another increase is particularly satisfying," said Holmes.

"In terms of what has been driving the increases I think it is a myriad of different factors on and off the track.

"I think generally there was more compelling racing in 2019, more storylines, new and exciting drivers challenging for honours.

"Also, we are always looking at ways of improving the coverage and capturing the action. New graphics with the help of AWS, different camera angles and positions have also been introduced.

©F1TV

"My personal favourite was the ‘on-halo’ graphics which I thought looked incredible. I also believe our efforts away from the track are bearing fruit.

"We ran four fantastic Fan Festivals, introduced ever more digital offerings and games, further developed our esports series and enjoyed great success with the Netflix series ‘Drive to Survive’ which really resonated with lapsed, light and new fans.

"All these elements aligned with our on-going event by event marketing efforts such as those we put on around F1’s 1,000th Grand Prix meaning that we are talking to ever more people through so many different channels."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.