The low competitiveness of Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz is clearly affecting TV ratings in Spain, while the sharp decline in France on Canal+ is harder to explain.
More than a 40% collapse
The Japanese Grand Prix saw a noticeable increase in TV viewership in Italy, attracting 500,000 more spectators compared to 2025, thanks to the Kimi Antonelli effect and a competitive Ferrari. Sky celebrated this rise, but the same cannot be said for Canal+ in France and DAZN in Spain.
On the Suzuka circuit, the race in France attracted only 404,000 viewers, compared to 705,000 in 2025, marking a 43% drop in ratings. The fall is even more dramatic in Spain, where viewership decreased from 124,000 in 2025 to just 63,000 in 2026, a drastic 49% decline.
Undoubtedly, the lack of competitiveness from Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz, both “trapped” by an Aston Martin and a Williams that have struggled disastrously at the start of 2026, plays a role in DAZN’s low Spanish ratings. However, the Canal+ numbers in France indicate a worrying trend in audience approval for F1 2026. This is a factor that Liberty Media will need to consider in potential regulation changes, which will begin to be discussed during the meeting scheduled in London on Thursday, April 9.
If the goal of the 2026 revolution was to increase the spectacle and attract more fans, these early indicators suggest the opposite is happening in key territories. Whether it is the “super clipping” controversy or the power unit disparities, F1’s leadership has plenty of data to consider as they look to stop the bleeding in television ratings before the European season gets into full swing.
Leave a Reply