F1 has steadily been growing in popularity in recent years. This particularly the case in the US – in 2018, the average viewership was just over half a million, while the average viewership in 2022 was 1.5 million. 

If you’re already a fan, you’ll likely already understand why this sport has been gaining traction. If you’re not a fan, the Appeal may be lost on you. What’s so exciting about watching cars repeatedly going around the same track? Especially when there are so many laps and so few overtakes? This article provides some insight into the driving factors behind F1’s admiration.

The personalities

Unlike some sports with hundreds of athletes and teams to keep track of, F1 is made up of only 20 drivers and 10 teams. Fans are much more easily able to get to know these drivers and teams – as well as the rivalries between them.

Throughout F1’s history, there have been many feuds between drivers, as well as disagreements between drivers and their teams. There can be a lot of in-fighting and accusations – and all this drama adds to the entertainment value. 

The technology

For those that love cars, the appeal behind Formula 1 is clear to see. These are the most advanced racing machines on the planet and fans want to see how they evolve each year and how they perform.

It’s one of the few sports where winning is as dependent on technological ability as it is human ability. 

The glamour

Formula 1 is a very glamorous sport, which also adds to the appeal. Races take place in exotic locations all around the world like Monaco, Abu Dhabi and Miami and drivers celebrate their win by spraying champagne everywhere. It is also sponsored by many luxury brands such as Rolex and Patron Tequila.

Many fans are hooked by this. Some go so far as to travel around the world to races to be a part of the glamour.

The danger factor

There’s no denying that a big part of the appeal of many motorsports is the danger factor. It’s thrilling watching people driving at 200 mph nose to nose with no room for error. It’s like watching an acrobatic performance.

Fortunately, formula 1 has upped its safety over the years. While there are still crashes, there are no deaths and rarely any serious injuries. Of course, this doesn’t mean that the element of danger is completely gone. 

A demographic shift

Formula 1 has steadily been attracting more younger fans. Studies have found that 61% of fans are now aged between 18 and 49 (compared to 33% of Nascar fans). The sport has found a way to appeal to a Gen Z audience that is partly through Formula 1’s own marketing (such as their highly popular YouTube channel) and also due to the appeal of individual drivers like 22-year-old Lando Norris who has a highly popular personal vlog and Twitch account.

More women are also starting to become fans of F1. In fact, some studies suggest that almost half of F1 fans are now women. While all the drivers are currently men, there have been female F1 drivers in the past, and there are expected to be women drivers breaking into the sport in the future (Jamie Chadwick, winner of the W series, being a favourite).

How to get into formula 1

The best way to get into formula 1 is to get to know the drivers and the teams. There is no joy in watching random cars racing around a track. Once you know who is behind the wheel and who they are racing for, it becomes much more engaging. 

F1 TV is a great channel for watching all the live races as well as watching interviews and other coverage. You can find out here how to watch F1 in the UK. The Formula 1 YouTube channel also has some great highlights and content worth watching.

Movies such as the Senna documentary and Rush are also great for learning about historic races and rivalries. You can also find content on old races on YouTube. 

Finally, it’s worth getting involved in the F1 community. Joining online forums and social media pages is a great way to get involved in F1-related discussions. Of course, if you have F1-loving friends, you can talk to them too. You’re also likely to meet many fans at motorsports events.