F1 Hits $100 Million at U.S. Box Office as Liberty Media’s Vision Divides Fans. F1 – The Movie surpasses $100 million at the U.S. box office as Liberty Media’s strategy reshapes the sport.

F1 Soars Past $100 Million in the United States: Is Liberty Media’s Path Now Clearly Defined?

A look at the highly debated social and cultural transformation of Formula 1 in the United States and around the world—a shift that has raised eyebrows among long-time fans of the sport.

Against all odds and beyond the most optimistic expectations, F1 – The Movie is performing extremely well at the box office in the United States and globally, bringing tremendous satisfaction to Liberty Media. In the United States alone, the film has already surpassed the $100 million milestone in just over ten days since its theatrical release. This makes it the second original movie of 2025—not a sequel, not based on a book, and not part of any existing franchise—to cross the $100 million threshold, after the horror film Sinners. It is also the most commercially successful film to date from the streaming platform AppleTV+.

This cinematic success comes at the same time as the release of an in-depth study conducted by Formula 1 and Liberty Media, titled the Global F1 Survey 2025. Developed in collaboration with Motorsport Network, this research project provides a comprehensive analysis of the modern Formula 1 fan profile, highlighting the evolving audience demographics and the changing dynamics of engagement. Based on more than 100,000 responses from fans across 186 countries, the survey focuses on the sport’s most passionate and active supporters and offers valuable insights for brands, marketers, and industry professionals.

What Does the Global F1 Survey 2025 Reveal?

The Global F1 Survey 2025 offers a number of interesting insights into various aspects of the Formula 1 championship under the management of Liberty Media. Here are some key points worth highlighting:

A Truly Global Reach: Formula 1 now reaches over 826 million people across the globe, an increase of 90 million fans in just one year. This demonstrates the sport’s evolution from an exclusive, elite niche into a broad, cross-generational entertainment ecosystem that continues to attract new audiences and penetrate emerging markets.

Demographic Shifts: Compared to the first global survey conducted in 2017—which received 215,000 responses from 194 countries—the 2025 audience is younger, more diverse, and more international. In this latest edition, 27% of respondents belong to Generation Z, and nearly 50% of them identify as female. Overall, women now make up 25% of the Formula 1 fanbase, a fourfold increase since 2017.

Emerging Markets Gaining Ground: The United States is currently the most represented country in the survey, with 73% of American fans expressing a desire to attend a Grand Prix in person. In China, interest surged by 39% following the return of the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai. Brazil and India are also seeing growing enthusiasm, with over 90% of fans in those countries showing interest in local races.

Drivers as Cultural Icons: Modern fans are increasingly drawn to Formula 1 not just for the sporting competition but for the personal stories of the drivers themselves. In the U.S., 40% of fans said they follow Formula 1 primarily because of one specific driver. This trend highlights the growing cultural and emotional connection between fans and athletes.

However, this comprehensive survey did not sit well with many long-time fans and die-hard enthusiasts of Formula 1. Critics argue that the Global F1 Survey 2025, spearheaded by Liberty Media, largely ignores the sporting side of the championship and instead focuses heavily on the entertainment and lifestyle elements surrounding the sport.

Liberty Media’s Method Is Not Popular—But What’s the Alternative?

It is widely known that Formula 1’s traditional fanbase has often criticized Liberty Media’s approach to managing the sport. The expansion of the calendar to include an increasing number of races, many in countries with limited motorsport heritage, along with the proliferation of street circuits—particularly in the United States—has sparked discontent among purists.

Of course, fans and enthusiasts are entitled to express legitimate concerns about the direction of Formula 1 under Liberty Media’s stewardship. However, as in politics, it is not enough to merely criticize; a viable and effective alternative must also be proposed.

How, for instance, can a traditionalist Formula 1 fan hope to engage a teenager whose main passion lies in online gaming platforms like Fortnite, or who spends their free time watching streamers on Twitch? What would convince that young viewer to sit through a race that lasts over 300 kilometers—an event where thrilling moments may happen, or sometimes, very little might unfold?

Will seasoned fans try to explain the concept of Venturi channels? Will they describe how the power unit of a modern Formula 1 car operates, or outline the differences between the MGU-K and MGU-H components of the hybrid system? The reality is that not everyone in the audience holds a degree in engineering. And most people are not following the sport for technical reasons—they just want to watch their heroes battle it out on track lap after lap.

The generational turnover is inevitable. Older fans will eventually give way to a new wave of followers—something that is not only necessary for the future of Formula 1 but essential for the survival of sports in general. The competition for attention is fierce, especially with countless streaming platforms offering instant content, and with the rise of live broadcasts on Twitch and TikTok that cater to short attention spans and interactive engagement.

Liberty Media’s vision for Formula 1 may not appeal to everyone. But in a rapidly changing digital world, it may be the only viable path forward to ensure the long-term health and global relevance of the sport.