Kimi Antonelli’s victory at the Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid generated extraordinary television interest in Italy, with the Formula 1 race at the new Madring circuit delivering record audience figures. The Mercedes driver’s eighth victory of the 2026 season attracted a huge live audience across Sky’s platforms and further highlighted the growing attention surrounding Formula 1 in Italy.
The Madrid event produced major viewing figures despite a race that offered relatively little overtaking and few dramatic moments. Antonelli’s success nevertheless kept attention high until the chequered flag as the 20-year-old strengthened his position at the top of the 2026 Formula 1 drivers’ standings.
Kimi Antonelli’s Madrid win delivers huge Sky F1 audience
Coverage across Sky, Sky Go and Now reached record levels, with a combined average audience of 1,915,000 viewers and an 18.2% share.
The figures represent a significant peak compared with the season average and demonstrate Formula 1’s ability to attract a large Italian audience even on a weekend featuring a completely new circuit and a race in which overtaking opportunities were limited.
Antonelli’s victory played an important role in maintaining interest. The Bologna-born Mercedes driver managed the race effectively and capitalised on the decisive Virtual Safety Car sequence to claim his eighth victory of the year and of his Formula 1 career.
The strategic details behind the result included a crucial Mercedes intervention that helped Antonelli maximise the VSC opportunity, with a two-second tactical margin proving important in the fight for the Madrid win.
TV8 delayed coverage also draws more than 1.4 million viewers
The delayed Spanish Grand Prix broadcast on TV8 also produced strong viewing figures, attracting 1,411,000 viewers.
That result suggests the interest generated by the Madrid race extended well beyond the live pay-TV audience, reaching a broader group of viewers who chose to watch the Grand Prix later in the day.
Combining the live pay-TV audience with the delayed free-to-air broadcast produced a total of 3,326,000 viewers, underlining the scale of Formula 1’s television presence in Italy during the Madrid weekend.
Antonelli effect strengthens Formula 1 interest in Italy
The strong ratings arrive at a time when Formula 1 continues to expand its media presence in Italy. Antonelli’s emergence as a championship-leading Italian driver has added another major point of interest for both established Formula 1 fans and more occasional viewers.
His Madrid victory was the latest result in a remarkable season for the Mercedes youngster, who has rapidly become the central figure in the 2026 championship. The latest developments around his campaign can be followed through GP-News’ Kimi Antonelli coverage.
The viewing figures across different platforms and broadcast times offer an encouraging picture for Formula 1 in the Italian market. A competitive Italian driver fighting at the front, combined with broad television availability, is helping the championship reach both its traditional audience and viewers who may only follow the biggest races and stories.
Madrid therefore produced two significant results for Antonelli: another major step towards the Formula 1 world title on track and another indication of his growing impact on the sport’s popularity in Italy away from it.
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