Hearts Will be F1

Giana Geerdts • January 15, 2025

Formula 1 (F1) is more than just a sport; it’s a global phenomenon. F1 has captivated audiences of millions from around the world and is the highest class of international car racing which makes money, competition and politics deeply intertwined with the sport. Since its start in Europe in the 1950s, F1 has grown into one of the most watched events globally. The F1 competition features sports car teams like Ferrari, Red Bull and McClaren all with different drivers competing in a series of thrilling races on some of the most iconic tracks, pushing the boundaries and limits of the drivers and engineers. But what truly makes F1 such a worldwide phenomenon which appeals to all audiences?

The release of the Netflix documentary “Formula 1: Drive to Survive”, which was released in 2019, made the sport more accessible to different audiences and has allowed it to bring in new viewers, particularly younger ones. In 2020, 62% of the new fans accumulated were under the age of 35 (Formula 1). After watching the Netflix documentary during the quarantine in 2020, senior Zain Karu became interested in the sport.

“Specifically, the [F1] team drama was very interesting to me,” Karu said. “In 2020, a team, [Racing Point], was accused of cheating by three major competitors [McLaren, Williams and Renault] due to [their] surging up the standings from 2019 to 2020. They were eventually caught, but the consequences were minimal. It also contributed to off-track drama which led to a thrilling championship battle.”

Although F1 was originally targeted at a European fanbase in countries like Italy, Germany and Great Britain, the documentary changed the trajectory of F1 racing and its audience, making the sport more relatable and inclusive. In 2020, viewership of F1 racing in North America increased 28% following the release of the Netflix documentary (ESPN). In 2021, the season attracted an average of 947,000 viewers, marking a 56% increase compared to the 2020 season and a 41% rise from the 2019 season average (ESPN). The F1 Management openly embracing social media has also played a huge role in the sport skyrocketing in popularity. Behind the scenes content, driver personalities, updates on race weekends and exclusive content on social media apps like Twitter, Instagram and YouTube make the sport more fun to engage with.The official F1 Instagram page has over 30 million followers and drivers like Lando Norris have over 9 million followers and Lewis Hamilton with a hefty 38 million followers. F1 regularly makes changes to the sport to stay competitive, enhance safety, improve sustainability and keep fans entertained. The introduction of the Halo device in 2018 helps to protect drivers’ heads from debris and proves its value in situations like Romain Grosjean’s 2020 crash in Bahrain. Sophomore Nex Iraheta has her own opinions about recent changes to F1.

“[F1 is] getting rid of [the] Drag Reduction System, which helps the cars go faster on straightaways,” Iraheta said. “They [also] issued a lot of penalties. I think it’s unfair that the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile) doesn’t allow the drivers to express themselves freely. Max [Verstappen] and Charles [Leclerc] received [around] five hours of community service for using inappropriate language. It feels like they’ve recruited the most rookies from F2 for the upcoming 2025 season, so it’ll be interesting to see how it plays out. Plus, they’re adding an 11th team—Cadillac—in 2026 for the first time.”

While many are aware of the presence of the sport through media coverage or the occasional Instagram highlight reel, the real beauty of the sport lies in how easy it is to enjoy and understand. Unlike some sports where fans need to actively participate or have extensive knowledge of the rules, F1 is strictly a spectator sport. Its global appeal comes from the excitement of watching world class drivers racing at high speeds. Additionally, the different teams and drivers have a sense of connection and community for fans. Sophomore Hazel Smith shares her perspective.

“People think F1 is [a] really complicated [sport] that you have to know a ton about to enjoy,” Smith said. “I wouldn’t say I know a ton about F1, but that doesn’t mean I love it any less. If people were given more time to learn about it [F1], more people would like it.”

From its humble beginnings to its status as a global spectacle, F1has evolved into a technological giant, attracting fans from around the world. As the sport continues to grow and innovate, its influence spreads beyond the track, even affecting pop culture. Whether someone is a longtime fan or just discovering the thrill of the race, F1 has something for everyone.