Apple’s “F1” movie, starring Brad Pitt, is widely expected to top the box office in its premier weekend, but projections are wide-ranging.
The tech giant’s big-budget racing drama, starring Brad Pitt as a Formula One driver who is coerced out of retirement to coach a slick rookie (Damson Idris), is targeting a promising $50 million to $60 million in its debut. Given the rarity of adult-skewing tentpoles that aren’t part of existing film franchises, projections appear to be all over the place with some tracking services suggesting a $35 million to $40 million start.
“F1” represents a major gamble for Apple, which has entered the theatrical space with epic ambitions (“Killers of the Flower Moon” and “Napoleon” were two early swings) but not a single profitable film to show for it. “F1” carries a hefty budget above $200 million and needs to become a global hit to justify its price tag and validate Apple’s big screen commitment.
Internationally, “F1” is aiming to collect $75 million or more from 77 markets. Warner Bros. is distributing the movie for Apple.
MacDailyNews Take: Internationally, Formula One is popular and F1 should do well.
Based on metrics like television viewership, race attendance, social media engagement, and fan surveys through June 2025, here’s a list of the top 10 countries where F1 enjoys significant popularity, ranked approximately by viewership and cultural impact:
• Brazil – Brazil tops the list due to its massive fanbase, driven by legends like Ayrton Senna and Emerson Fittipaldi. It ranks among the top five television markets, with over 100 million cumulative viewers per season. F1 is the second most popular sport in Brazil, boosted by free-to-air broadcasts on Band, though viewership dipped slightly from Globo’s era. The Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos consistently draws huge crowds.
• Netherlands – The “Max Verstappen effect” has made F1 immensely popular in the Netherlands. Despite a population of just 17 million, the country ranks among the top television markets, with fans voting heavily in driver polls. The Dutch Grand Prix sees a sea of orange-clad supporters, reflecting the sport’s cultural dominance, rivaling football in enthusiasm.
• Great Britain (UK) – Home to the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, which attracted over 140,000 fans in 2019, the UK has a deep F1 heritage. It ranks high in viewership, with over 100 million seasonal viewers, and has produced the most world champions (10) and race wins. The sport’s prominence is amplified by drivers like Lewis Hamilton.
• Italy – Italy’s passion for F1, fueled by Ferrari’s Tifosi, makes it a top market. The Italian Grand Prix at Monza, the “Temple of Speed,” draws massive crowds, with 74 races hosted since 1950. Italy consistently ranks among the top five in television viewership, despite only one Italian driver recently.
• Germany – Germany’s F1 popularity stems from icons like Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel. It ranks in the top five for viewership, with over 100 million seasonal viewers. Though no German Grand Prix is scheduled for 2025, the country’s motorsport culture and history of hosting 79 races keep fandom strong.
• United States – F1’s popularity in the U.S. has surged, largely due to Netflix’s Drive to Survive. The U.S. ranks sixth in viewership but leads in race attendance, with the United States Grand Prix drawing 432,000 fans. New races in Miami and Las Vegas reflect growing interest, especially among younger audiences.
• Mexico – The Mexican Grand Prix attracts large crowds, though many attendees are not hardcore fans, viewing it as a high-profile event. Sergio Pérez’s Red Bull stint has boosted interest, but F1 remains a niche sport compared to football. Mexico ranks high in fan surveys, with strong regional support in South America.
• China – China’s large population amplifies its growing F1 audience, ranking seventh in viewership. The Chinese Grand Prix and increasing media exposure suggest potential to become a top market if popularity grows even modestly, given the country’s scale.
• India – India’s F1 fandom is rising, with 31.1 million fans reported in 2019. The Drive to Survive series and events like Red Bull Showruns have fueled interest, despite no Indian Grand Prix since 2013. Social media and drivers like Jehan Daruvala in F2 keep engagement high.
• Australia – The Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne is a fan favorite, drawing large crowds. F1 enjoys a 25% interest rate among Australians, though attention scores lag behind events like Wimbledon. Drivers like Daniel Ricciardo sustain popularity, despite broadcast challenges.
These rankings, collated by xAI’s Grok, reflect a combination of viewership data, race attendance, and cultural significance, with Brazil and the Netherlands leading due to intense fan engagement and historical ties. Emerging markets like China and India show rapid growth, while traditional strongholds like the UK and Italy remain robust.
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