Formula 1 has witnessed a dramatic change in its fan demographics between 2017 and 2025, with female fans increasing from 10 percent to 42 percent of the audience. This surge in interest among women is closely linked to the success of the Netflix series Drive to Survive and the sport’s growing presence on social media platforms, which together have reshaped the appeal and accessibility of F1.

According to F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, 43 percent of fans are under 35 years old, reflecting a youthful and diverse fanbase. The growth in female viewership points to a fundamental shift driven by new ways of engaging fans beyond traditional race broadcasts, helping the sport break down long-standing barriers.

How F1 Became More Accessible to New Audiences

Since Liberty Media took control of Formula 1, the sport has been opened up to a much wider audience, with Drive to Survive playing a pivotal role in this transformation. The documentary series distilled the complex elements of F1—its rules, strategies, and team dynamics—into a format that was easy to digest, allowing viewers to engage with the sport more confidently and meaningfully before watching live races.

Drive to Survive also humanized the drivers by showcasing their personalities and private lives, creating a connection with fans who had previously seen F1 as a distant, inaccessible spectacle. This contrasted sharply with the past culture of F1, when grid girls, predominantly male presenters, and technical jargon made the sport feel exclusive and uninviting, especially for women.

Liberty Media’s shift in approach dismantled those barriers. It removed a culture that catered almost exclusively to men and replaced it with content welcoming to all fans. As a result, women who were previously uninterested or unaware of F1 found it easier to relate to and enjoy the sport. In this way, F1’s inherent excitement reached a broader audience than ever before.

The Rise of Online F1 Communities and Their Influence

Drive to Survive’s popularity has also fueled the growth of online F1 fan communities, commonly known as ‘stan accounts,’ particularly within social media spaces like Twitter and TikTok. These accounts resemble fan groups historically associated with music or celebrity culture, but now focus on F1 drivers and moments, creating new social hubs for young women to share their passion.

These communities elevate drivers to celebrity status through clips of radio conversations and carefully crafted video edits, popularizing moments that might otherwise be missed during races. This intense fan culture drives engagement and fosters a sense of belonging among members, offering a space for young women to form friendships united by motorsport fandom.

Despite some dismissiveness from older or traditional fans who view stan culture as frivolous, these communities play an important role in fostering inclusion and encouraging more women to embrace F1. They help transform the perception of F1 from an intimidating, male-dominated arena into an inviting and socially vibrant environment.

Changing F1 Culture and Its Appeal to Female Fans

Beyond the sport itself, the broader culture surrounding F1 has evolved to resonate with women in new ways. Influential figures like Alexandra Saint-Mleux, girlfriend of F1 driver Charles Leclerc, exemplify this shift. With 2.5 million Instagram followers—outnumbering some drivers like Lance Stroll and Gabriel Bortoleto—Saint-Mleux connects F1 to lifestyle, fashion, and beauty, bridging motorsport with interests popular among female fans.

Her visibility within the F1 paddock sends a clear message that women’s perspectives and tastes matter within the sport’s community. This shift mirrors the introduction of the Charlotte Tilbury branded car within the F1 Academy, signaling an effort to recognize and celebrate diverse female interests alongside the traditional focus on racing and technical excellence.

The F1 Academy drivers themselves are helping redefine female participation in motorsport. Their compelling personalities and relatable stories provide new role models for women who want to engage with racing on a deeper level, making the motorsport world feel more inclusive and approachable. These drivers offer parallels to female sports figures, such as the Lionesses in football, who have inspired women through their achievements and visibility.

Though challenges remain, such as women still sometimes being perceived as decorative rather than integral to F1, Liberty Media’s efforts have catalyzed a noticeable cultural shift. The growing number of female fans is one of the sport’s most significant recent achievements and, if nurtured further, could redefine Formula 1’s legacy moving forward.

The Long-Term Impact of These Changes on F1

The transformation in F1’s female fanbase reflects deeper changes in how the sport is marketed and consumed. By embracing storytelling through Drive to Survive, promoting driver personalities, and encouraging community interaction via social media, F1 has made itself more appealing to a broader, younger, and more diverse audience.

This shift holds the potential to reshape the F1 ecosystem fundamentally, influencing everything from sponsorships to broadcast strategies and talent development within the sport. As women increasingly engage with F1 not only as spectators but as community builders and influencers, the sport has a chance to become more balanced and sustainable in terms of its fan demographics.

Looking ahead, the continued growth in female viewership could push F1 to evolve in ways that prioritize inclusivity and varied fan interests, redefining what it means to be an F1 fan in the modern era. For now, the combination of accessible content and thriving online communities appears to be the driving force behind one of the most remarkable shifts in the sport’s history.