As the sport gears up for the second half of 2026 season, F1 has shared numbers from the first half, whether fan attendance, TV figures and more.
While statistics isn’t always the full picture about anything, but it still taken as a marker in decision-making and reflects the state of things. With the summer break nearing its end, F1 has compiled the half year statistics to showcase gains in terms of fans and engagement at several events.
Large F1 fan attendance plus TV viewership
In a major achievement, all 11 races in the first half have been sold out, with 3.7 million attendees as opposed to 3.4 million in 2025. Australia (484,000) leads the pack with record breaking attendance, followed by Canada (360,000), Austria (320,000), Silverstone (564,000), Belgium (400,000) and Hungary (310,000).
The Japanese GP saw an increase of 18% from 2025, followed by British GP (13%) and Austrian GP (7%). It is not just F1 fan attendance, the TV viewership has increased hugely, especially in Brazil, Italy and China. In fact, the 2026 British GP got a record 18 million viewership across Globo and Sport TV3.
Social numbers increase
After the deal with Apple TV in the USA, there is increased viewership on year-on-year calculation and there is increase of 13% on total hours watched. It received sound engagement on its Netflix partnership as well, with another season of Drive to Survive.
In terms of social media, F1 continues to be one of the most engaged accounts on Instagram. They have more than 126 million social followers, which is an increase of 17% year-on-year, with 12% increase in social impressions and 48% increase in video views via TikTok.
The Lego Race in British GP’s drivers’ parade saw 70+ million views, as they have recorded 7+ million video views on their official F1 website and app. In terms of demography, they have 830 million fans, with 42% female fans and 43% of fans are under the age of 35-years.
F1 shared the percentages of ‘Good or Excellent’ polling across the races compared to the same races last year, with data from 60,000 fans, where 66% rated it to be either ‘Good or Excellent):
- Australia 61% (down from 86% when there was a very dramatic race with a wet track)
- China 68% (up 18%)
- Japan 48% (up 30%)
- Miami 70% (flat vs 2025)
- Canada 84% (up 15%)
- Monaco 47% (up 21%)
- Barcelona 76% (flat vs 2025)
- Austria 72% (down 4% vs last year)
- Great Britain 69% (down 20% vs 2025 due to the very eventful race in 2025 and a safety car ending in 2026)
- Belgium 61% (up 24%)
- Hungary (flat vs 2025)
