Formula One
Formula One (also known as Formula 1 or F1) is the highest class of international racing for open-wheel single-seater formula racing cars sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). The World Drivers' Championship, which became the FIA Formula One World Championship in 1981, has been one of the premier forms of racing around the world since its inaugural season in 1950. The word formula in the name refers to the set of rules to which all participants' cars must conform. A Formula One season consists of a series of races, known as Grands Prix, which take place worldwide on both purpose-built circuits and closed public roads.
Formula One cars are the fastest regulated road-course racing cars in the world, owing to very high cornering speeds achieved through the generation of large amounts of aerodynamic downforce. The cars underwent major changes in 2017, allowing wider front and rear wings, and wider tires, resulting in peak cornering forces near 6.5 lateral g and top speeds of around 350 km/h (215 mph).
With races airing on ABC, ESPN and ESPN2, the F1 season attracted an average of 934,000 viewers per race in 2021, shattering the previous season record average of 748,000 that was set in 1995. It was up 54 percent over the 2020 season average of 608,000 viewers and up 39 percent vs. the 2019 season average of 672,000 viewers. Formula 1 has made significant gains across digital, making F1 the second fastest-growing major sports league on the planet across the four major social platforms. In 2020, followers (across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Tiktok, Snapchat, Twitch and Chinese social platforms) were up 36% to 35 million, video views up 47% to 4.9 billion and total engagement up 99% to 810 million. Additionally, total video views across F1.com, the F1 app and social media were up +46% vs 2019 to 4.9 billion, unique users on F1.com and the F1 app were up +26% to 70.5 million and page views were up +13% to 1.3 billion. Formula 1 also amassed 14 million podcasts listens in 2020, with Beyond The Grid the most-listened-to motorsport podcast in the USA, UK, Australia and Canada, amongst other territories. The results mean that Formula 1 is now strongly outperforming other major sports in the digital arena including La Liga, NBA, PGA tour and the Premier League. The digital share of total minutes (including broadcast and digital) has grown from 7% in 2019 to 10% in 2020.
