Big news: U.S. viewership for Formula One racing is up 40% vs. 2019, thanks in large part to interest from the Netflix docuseries “Drive to Survive.”

Podcast: Formula One: The Iconic Motor Sport

U.S. viewership for Formula One (YoY growth):
1) 2018 – 547K
2) 2019 – 670K (↑ 22%)
3) 2020 – 608K (↓ 9%)
4) 2021 – 938K (↑ 54%)

Quote from Tim Hauraney – Commentator @ Formula One:
“I’ve never seen it like this, and I’ve been involved in the sport, in racing, since I was 9 years old.”

Quote from Zak Brown – Chief Executive @ McLaren Racing:
“I think it’s got to be the single most important impact for Formula 1 in North America.  Almost every comment you get from someone out of the U.S., they reference ‘Drive to Survive.’

Key details for Drive to Survive:
1) Netflix original
2) Debuted in 2019
3) 8 of 10 teams (no Mercedes or Ferrari) participated in the first season
4) All 10 teams participated in second and third seasons
5) Season 4 is currently filming

Video #1: Formula 1: Drive to Survive (Season 3) | Official Trailer | Netflix

Video #2: Netflix would ‘think about’ buyout to stream races

More: How Netflix Made Americans Care About the Most European of Sports