Lewis Hamilton’s first Ferrari win sparks huge Formula 1 TV ratings boost. Hamilton’s historic Ferrari victory attracts massive Formula 1 audience in Italy.

Hamilton and Ferrari make TV ratings fly: 3 million viewers between Sky and TV8

The television ratings for the Spanish Grand Prix have skyrocketed, marking the highest viewership figures recorded since the 2024 Mexican Grand Prix. This sudden surge in audience numbers highlights the massive global and local interest in the sport’s current competitive landscape.

Lewis Hamilton’s spectacular maiden victory behind the wheel of the Ferrari at the Barcelona Grand Prix has heavily boosted Formula 1’s TV ratings. This viewership boom comes at a time when the 2026 season is already benefiting significantly from the “Antonelli effect” following the Italian rookie’s high-profile debut. Below is the official statement released by broadcaster Sky Sport regarding the weekend’s viewership data.

“Record ratings for Formula 1 in Sky’s ‘Casa dello Sport’. The Formula 1 Barcelona Grand Prix race – broadcast live from 3 PM on Sky Sport F1, Sky Sport Uno, and Sky Sport 4K – registered a total average audience of 1 million 635 thousand viewers, achieving a 15.4% TV share with 2 million 107 thousand unique viewers, marking a 41% growth compared to the 2025 edition. This stands as the most-watched Grand Prix on Sky since 2024. The post-race studio numbers were also excellent, totaling 930 thousand average viewers, with a 10% share and over 1 million 757 thousand unique viewers. There was also immense success for the delayed free-to-air broadcast on TV8 starting at 6 PM, which showcased Lewis Hamilton’s first triumph in a Ferrari: the race gathered 1 million 405 thousand average viewers with a 14% TV share.”

When combining the viewership figures from both Sky and TV8, the total audience comfortably surpassed the 3 million mark. This impressive milestone represents an increase of 300,000 viewers compared to the high-profile Monaco Grand Prix Sunday just a few weeks prior.

In conclusion, Lewis Hamilton’s historic breakthrough for Scuderia Ferrari, paired with the immense excitement surrounding Kimi Antonelli‘s presence on the grid, has ignited unprecedented fan interest across major broadcasting platforms. As the 2026 championship battle continues to intensify, these record-breaking television ratings emphasize that Formula 1 is currently experiencing a massive commercial and cultural renaissance.