The 2026 F1 Season in Numbers: Record Crowds and Green Initiatives
As F1 takes a summer breather, we dive into the standout statistics of the 2026 season so far, from booming attendance to strides in sustainability. This year has seen a mix of new tracks, increased fan engagement, and ambitious environmental goals.
As the 2026 Formula 1 season hits pause for the summer break, it's time to reflect on some remarkable numbers that have defined the year so far. From sold-out venues to ambitious environmental goals, this season is shaping up to be a memorable one.
Record-Breaking Attendance Every race in 2026 has sold out, attracting nearly 3.7 million fans, a 6% rise from last year. Several circuits smashed their attendance records, with Australia welcoming 484,000 fans and Silverstone hosting a staggering 564,000. The Japanese and British Grands Prix saw attendance spikes of 18% and 13%, respectively.
TV Viewership on the Rise Global TV audiences have swelled, driven by key markets like Brazil, Italy, and China. Brazil's viewership has grown fivefold compared to 2025, with the British Grand Prix drawing a record 18 million viewers there. In Italy, audiences are up 27%, while in China, viewership of the Chinese Grand Prix has more than doubled.
Expanding the Race Calendar F1's growing popularity has led to new agreements with host cities. Istanbul Park is set to return in 2027, and Las Vegas will continue hosting races until 2037. Other notable extensions include multi-year deals with Barcelona and Spa, and Portugal's Portimão is back on the calendar for 2027 and 2028.
Social Media Engagement F1's social media presence has exploded, with over 125 million followers, a 19% increase year-on-year. Video views have surged by 54%, particularly on TikTok, while a LEGO activation at Silverstone garnered 70 million views. The official F1 site and app have seen 7 million hours of video content consumed.
Demographic Shifts The global fan base has risen to over 830 million, a 64% increase since 2018. Notably, 42% of the audience is female, and women make up three-quarters of new fans. Fans under 35 account for 43% of the audience.
Sim Racing World Championship The 2026 F1 Sim Racing World Championship made a triumphant return, with nine teams competing across 12 rounds. The opening event at DreamHack Birmingham drew 50,000 fans, while online viewership reached nearly 13 million, a 72% increase from last year.
Environmental Progress F1 is on track to meet its Net Zero by 2030 target, having cut its carbon footprint by 35% since 2018. Factories have reduced emissions by 64%, and logistics emissions are down by 29%. These reductions come despite an expanded race calendar, thanks to renewable energy efforts and efficient logistics.
In summary, the 2026 F1 season showcases not only thrilling races but also significant progress towards sustainability and fan engagement. As the season resumes, fans can look forward to more record-breaking moments both on and off the track.