As easily predictable, the overwhelming dominance of the Max Verstappen-Red Bull duo in the 2023 Formula One campaign, following a 2022 already largely monopolized by the Dutch driver, has caused a dramatic drop in TV ratings, even recording the worst average ever since Formula 1 stopped being broadcast in Italy for free.
The statistics are unforgiving, hoping that the 2024 Formula 1 season can represent a breath of fresh air for everyone.
The dramatic drop in TV ratings in Italy in 2023
2,185,000 viewers on average, the worst since the first year of the pandemic in 2020. This is the unforgiving data that testifies to a terrible season, as the RB19’s supremacy has not only affected the on-track spectacle but also, and above all, television ratings.
Three years ago, in the midst of the COVID period, the average was around 2,421,000 viewers, with a slight increase in 2021 with 2,574,000 viewers, thanks to the fantastic duel between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton for the title until the last race.
In the last championship, however, thanks to the great competitiveness of the F1-75 in the first part of the season, the average increased significantly, reaching 3,210,000 viewers. Then the collapse in 2023, with a percentage drop of 32%, one-third compared to 12 months ago.
Already the partial data halfway through the year hinted at a dark season for TV ratings in Italy, with an average of 2,232,000 viewers between the opening GP in Bahrain and the Miami race, won by Verstappen despite starting from the ninth position. In the following five races, from Monaco to Silverstone, an average of 2,366,000 viewers was recorded.
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The highest point of the season in terms of ratings was, of course, at Monza. The Brianza stage recorded an impressive 4,088,000 viewers. In addition, Carlos Sainz’s splendid victory in Singapore also contributed to partially lifting the audience, with 2,836,000 viewers.
With the title already decided in Qatar and the prohibitive schedules of the American and Arabian events, the average plummeted to 1,692,000 viewers in the last seven Grand Prix, with four races not exceeding one and a half million.
Certainly worrying data, which is hoped to be soon forgotten in 2024. However, with regulations frozen until 2026 and the technical advantage accumulated by Red Bull, thinking that any team could suddenly challenge Max Verstappen for the title is currently somewhat utopian.
Source: f1ingenerale
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