Formula One is witnessing a significant surge in popularity across the Middle East, especially among young female fans, according to a Nielsen Sports report released Tuesday. Currently, the Gulf region hosts four races, more than the United States, culminating at Abu Dhabi's Yas Marina. Female interest in Saudi Arabia rose 11% compared to last year, outpacing the 10% increase among men, particularly in the 50-69 age bracket.
Nielsen's survey of 46,000 individuals in 37 markets identified the Netflix docu-series 'Drive to Survive' as a major factor in converting viewers into fans, with a noteworthy rise in female viewership and young audiences aged 16-24. Nielsen highlights Formula One's growing global fan base, topping 750 million, and the sport now enjoys the highest annual series popularity. Global interest climbed by 5.
7% since 2021, boosting the average team sponsorship cost by 56% from pre-pandemic times. The diversification in sponsorship—from crypto to luxury brands—underscores Formula One's adaptability in attracting new audiences and investment. (With inputs from agencies.
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