Monaco Grand Prix distributed the third largest Formula 1 audience in history in the United States despite heavy criticism of the prestigious track after Sunday’s race.
The race started at 9 am and attracted 2.3 million spectators on ABC, the most for the Monaco Grand Prix. The only F1 races to attract more viewers were in 2024 (3.1 million) and 2022 (2.6 million), according to the game of Miami Grand Prix. This year’s Monaco Race brought more American audiences earlier this month than Miami (2.1 million).
Through seven races in 2025, the F1 is of an average of 1.3 million spectators. Each of the last two sessions had an average of 1.1 million, although the first half of the year includes popular Miami and Monaco events.
F1 signed an extension with Monaco last year, which runs through 2031. However, despite the use of F1, teams need to make at least two pits stops, the Sunday race included a large extent unchanged top -10.
McLaren’s Lando Noris won the event from the pole, although he beat Max Vestepen in the second-to-sight lap when the Red Bull Star was forced to take his second essential pit stop on the lap. This made widespread criticism from drivers and fans, but F1’s CEO Stephano Dominicali defended the change of rules.
“We know that the width of the road is (limited) and the cars are quite large, so it is an attempt to focus on it,” Dominally told Sky Sports F1.
“It was great to see that the day everyone was thinking that everyone (to do a pit) is to stay in the first lap, and there is a lot of discussion, so no one really understands anything. I think it was the right effort and attention was definitely there.”
A decision has not been taken on whether the two-stop rules for 2026 will return, but the domainley pushed back against the race critics.
“The Monaco incident has been amazing,” he said. “We never had so many people, so many boats, very much attention.
-Bield level media
