The debut of Formula 1 racing on the NBC broadcast network hit a multi-year high on Sunday.
The Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix drew a 1.0 rating and 1.5 million viewers on NBC Sunday morning, according to Nielsen fast-nationals — up 241% in viewership from last year’s race on Speed Channel (427K).
The Monaco Grand Prix ranks as the most-viewed Formula 1 race in the United States since the Canadian Grand Prix on FOX in 2007. The 2007 race had a slightly larger audience (1.49M to 1.46M).
Last year, FOX averaged 1.0 million viewers for four F1 telecasts.
Sunday’s race finished well behind other auto racing action on broadcast. The IndyCar Series Indianapolis 500 on ABC had a 3.7 fast-national rating and 5.7 million viewers, and NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600 earned a 4.1 overnight on FOX. Final ratings for NASCAR typically rise from the overnight.
Unlike the NASCAR and IndyCar races, the Monaco Grand Prix aired in an early morning timeslot.
(Sunday’s numbers from NBC Sports Group Press Box)
