Formula 1 enjoys record 2025 results as growth accelerates

Formula 1’s commercial right holder, Liberty Media, unveiled its financial results for 2025 on Thursday – and the numbers tell the story of a sport accelerating faster than ever.

Revenue for Formula 1 surged 14% year-on-year to an impressive $3.9 billion, while operating income rocketed 28% to reach $632 million.

The figures underline not just a thriving championship on track, but a commercial juggernaut that continues to win over fans, broadcasters and partners around the world.

Media Rights Powering the Surge

At the heart of Formula 1’s financial momentum lies its media rights machine. Broadcasting agreements accounted for roughly 31.3% of total F1 revenue in 2025, making it the single largest contributor to the sport’s income.

Growth in this segment was driven by contractual fee increases from broadcast partners, a rising number of F1 TV subscribers, and one-off revenue linked to high-profile content releases – including the global hit Netflix series, Drive to Survive.

The behind-the-scenes drama continues to draw new audiences, converting casual viewers into committed fans.

That fan enthusiasm is evident in the grandstands and on screens worldwide. Total race attendance climbed 4% to 6.75 million spectators over the season, while live television viewership jumped by a striking 21%, further cementing F1’s position as one of the world’s fastest-growing sports properties.

Importantly, the sport’s prosperity is flowing back to its competitors. Team payments rose to approximately $1.4 billion in 2025, a clear signal of Formula 1’s robust profitability and its commitment to rewarding the grid that fuels its spectacle.

A New Era on the Horizon

Beyond the balance sheet, Liberty Media pointed to strategic milestones that reinforced Formula 1’s long-term trajectory.

The Portugal Grand Prix is set to make a welcome return in 2027 and 2028, while broadcast partnerships have been strengthened with ESPN across Latin America and the Caribbean through 2028 – expanding the championship’s reach in key growth markets.

“Formula 1 finished another record-breaking season, marking an exceptional 75th anniversary year for the sport,” said Stefano Domenicali, Formula 1 President and CEO.

“The next chapter of F1 brings on-track excitement with a new race in Madrid, the debut of Cadillac and Audi and the return of Honda and Ford to the grid.

“This upcoming season is a thrilling time for our sport as we introduce the next generation of cars, engines and regulations that are sure to make for dynamic racing and compelling storylines.

“Our sport has never been stronger, as evidenced by our roster of marquee partners, including Disney, Lego, Pepsi, Apple and Standard Chartered.”

That confidence is echoed in the paddock’s evolving line-up. Automotive heavyweights Audi and Cadillac have joined the grid, while fresh regulations promise to reshape the competitive order and keep fans guessing.

• Read also: F1 boss Domenicali on why Apple TV will shatter ESPN’s records

Liberty Media’s broader motorsport ambitions are also gaining traction. The company now holds the rights to MotoGP, with the two-wheel spectacle contributing $325 million in revenue to the group in 2025 – further strengthening its position as a global leader in premium racing content.

As Formula 1 charges into its next era – armed with booming revenues, swelling audiences and a revitalized competitive landscape – the message from Liberty Media’s latest results is unmistakable: the world’s premier motorsport is not just maintaining speed, it’s shifting up another gear.

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