Get ready for a thrilling ride as we dive into the record-breaking 2025 Formula 1 season! This year marked the 75th anniversary of the sport, and boy, did it deliver! A season of firsts and unforgettable moments, it's time to relive the magic.
Lando Norris, the young gun, claimed his first-ever Drivers' Championship, while his team, McLaren, dominated with consecutive Teams' Championships. But here's where it gets controversial: the title fight went down to the wire, with three drivers battling it out in the final race - the closest championship battle in over a decade!
Off the track, Formula 1 continued its global expansion. The sport witnessed a larger, more diverse fan base, with record-breaking race attendance and a box office smash hit movie, 'F1 The Movie', which became an instant classic.
As we reflect on this memorable season, let's explore some of the standout moments and achievements. For a deeper dive, check out Formula 1's corporate website, where you'll find detailed insights across various categories.
A 75th anniversary season that pushed boundaries and created history.
The year kicked off with a bang - the first-ever season launch event, where all teams and drivers unveiled their liveries, setting the tone for an exciting year ahead. Musical performances by Take That, Kane Brown, Brian Tyler, and mgk added to the electric atmosphere, with the F1 75 Live at the O2 selling out in record time.
Across 24 thrilling Grands Prix, nine different drivers from seven teams graced the podium, with McLaren securing back-to-back Constructors' Championships. The late-season tension was palpable as Norris, his teammate Oscar Piastri, and defending champ Max Verstappen fought tooth and nail for the title, with Norris ultimately clinching his first championship.
The F1 fanbase: bigger, younger, and more diverse than ever.
Formula 1's global fanbase grew to a massive 827 million in 2025, with a significant 12% increase year-on-year and a whopping 63% growth since 2018. The audience continues to skew younger, with 43% of the total fanbase under 35, and an impressive 51 million new fans under 35 joining the ranks. Over the last year, a remarkable 57% of all new fans were under 35, indicating a bright future for the sport.
The sport's fanbase is also becoming more gender-balanced, with a 42% female audience, up from 37% in 2018, and a growth of 43 million female fans year-on-year. This year, an incredible 48% of all new fans were female, a testament to Formula 1's inclusive and engaging appeal.
Record-breaking crowds at the track.
Fans turned out in droves, setting a new record for combined attendance across the 2025 season, with an impressive 19 events completely sold out. Total season attendance reached a staggering 6.7 million, the biggest combined season attendance ever, with 11 new attendance records set during the year.
Four race weekends drew over 400,000 attendees, including the Australian Grand Prix (465,000) and the British Grand Prix (500,000). Ten more race weekends recorded attendances above 300,000, with the Belgian, Italian, and Canadian Grands Prix attracting large crowds.
'F1 The Movie': a cultural phenomenon beyond the paddock.
June witnessed the highly anticipated release of 'F1 The Movie', a global box office sensation that shattered records, becoming the highest-grossing sports film of all time with a staggering $630 million. Shown on over 44,000 screens in 78 markets outside the US and Canada, the film had the largest global opening weekend ever for a Brad Pitt film and became the highest-grossing film of Pitt's career.
The production team captured over 185 hours of footage across 14 Grands Prix, along with more than 2,000 hours of Formula 1 broadcast footage. The film's release on Apple TV worldwide on December 12th was an instant success, reaching No.1 on Apple TV streaming charts and setting the record for the biggest opening streaming weekend on the platform for a theatrically released film.
At the United States Grand Prix, Formula 1 announced Apple TV as its exclusive US Broadcast Partner from 2026, marking an innovative five-year partnership.
Las Vegas Grand Prix: a modern spectacle.
The 2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix was a sold-out success, with a weekend attendance of over 300,000 people. The event generated over 450 million video views and over 60 million online interactions with F1 content. More than 1,200 creators were involved, producing 1.8 billion impressions and 5,000 social posts. Media coverage resulted in over 43,000 articles, further amplifying the event's reach.
The Paddock Club offered an unparalleled VIP experience, featuring an impressive 44 private suites and five shared suites. Formula 1, in partnership with Liberty Media, also hosted an F1 Business Summit in Vegas, bringing together Global Partners, industry leaders, and investors to explore the intersection of sports, entertainment, and culture.
F1 Sprint, calendar renewals, and exciting new destinations.
Formula 1 confirmed a series of long-term race extensions in 2025, with the majority of the calendar now contracted into the 2030s. Miami and Austria extended their contracts into the 2040s, ensuring a long-term future for these iconic races.
Key renewals include:
- Mexico City Grand Prix until 2028
- Azerbaijan Grand Prix until 2030
- Belgian Grand Prix with multi-year extension, including Grands Prix in 2026, 2027, 2029, and 2031
- United States Grand Prix until 2034
- Canadian Grand Prix and Monaco Grand Prix both until 2035
- Miami Grand Prix and Austrian Grand Prix until 2041
Formula 1 also announced a return to Portimão in Portugal in 2027 and 2028, bringing back a fan-favorite destination.
The F1 Sprint format continued to be a hit, with an average of 78% of fans wanting Sprint weekends to remain on the calendar. Sprint weekends generated 8% more social mentions and 4% more social reach than non-Sprint weekends, highlighting their popularity.
In 2026, Shanghai, Miami, and Silverstone will host the Sprint format, while Montreal, Zandvoort, and Singapore will experience their first-ever Sprint weekend.
Looking ahead: a new era for Formula 1.
As the saying goes, in Formula 1, standing still means going backwards. The focus now shifts to the new era for F1 in 2026, which promises to be the biggest shake-up the sport has seen in over a decade.
New regulations, new cars, new hybrid power units, and advanced sustainable fuels will present fresh challenges for teams and drivers. Next year will also see Madrid join the Formula 1 calendar, along with the introduction of new teams, Audi and Cadillac, and the return of Ford as a Technical Partner with Red Bull.
So, what do you think? Are you excited for the new era of Formula 1? Share your thoughts and predictions in the comments below!
