| Table of Contents |
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| Methodology |
| Most Popular F1 Driver in Every U.S. State |
| Most Popular F1 Drivers Overall |
| On Your Marks, Get Set, Bet |
Formula 1 has taken the United States by storm in recent years. An increase in coverage (from media companies like ESPN) has contributed to a 28% increase in viewership and a 36% increase in attendance in 2022, according to Forbes.
Another reason for this heightened popularity is the success of the Netflix original series Drive to Survive, where viewers get to peek behind the scenes and really get to know the racers. These connections that fans make with the athletes are an important part of growing any sport, Formula 1 included.
Join us as we delve a little deeper into the intriguing world of Formula 1 driver popularity in the U.S. from coast to coast. Read on to see who the most popular F1 driver is in your state.
Methodology
To find out what Formula 1 driver each state is more interested in than the rest, we analyzed Google Trends search data from May 2022 to May 2023. We started with a list of 20 current Formula 1 drivers, found their search interest state-by-state, and compared the results to discover which driver is the most popular in every U.S. state.
Rev up Those Engines: The Most Popular F1 Driver in Every U.S. State
While Formula 1 races aren’t exactly new to American soil, the increase in popularity over the years has added new tracks to the U.S. rotation, including the debut of the Las Vegas Grand Prix in November 2023. That brings the total number of races in the U.S. for the 2023 season to three, with the others taking place in Austin, Texas, and Miami, Florida.Â
Texas, known for its deep-rooted motorsport culture, is home to The Austin Grand Prix. Among the Lone Star State’s racing enthusiasts, one driver has stood out in terms of popularity: Sergio Pérez. He was also the top-searched racer in Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Wyoming.Â
In Florida, where the Miami Grand Prix takes place, the 2021 and 2022 Formula 1 World Champion Max Verstappen took the checkered flag as the favorite in the Sunshine State. The Dutch-born racer was also the favorite in other Southern states such as Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia.
The home state of the F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix, Nevada, had a familiar face to F1 fans as their favorite: Lewis Hamilton. Hamilton holds the joint record with seven World Drivers’ Championship titles and also came in as the favorite in Colorado, Maryland, and Ohio.
The Most Popular F1 Drivers Overall
After finding out the favorite F1 drivers in different parts of the country, we wanted to discover who the favorites are overall, based on the number of states they were the top-searched driver in.
Kevin Magnussen was the top-searched driver across the U.S., being searched most frequently in 13 states including, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, and Kansas. Coming in a close second was Max Verstappen with 12 states.
Other drivers who stood out in terms of popularity were Logan Sargeant, Lando Norris, and Lance Stroll. Sergeant, the only current American F1 driver, was the favorite in Alabama, Mississippi, and West Virginia.
Lando Norris, an up-and-coming driver from the U.K., was the top-searched F1 driver in three states, Indiana, Utah, and Vermont. Meanwhile, Lance Stroll also came in as the favorite in Hawaii, Louisiana, and Maine.
On Your Marks, Get Set, Bet
As the world of Formula 1 continues to captivate audiences and fuel discussions, the popularity of drivers will inevitably fluctuate based on performance and off-track endeavors. However, one thing that doesn’t seem to be changing is the increased popularity of Formula 1.Â
BetMGM strives to help F1 fans become a part of the race like never before. Next time the tires hit the track, you can not only cheer for your favorites but also experience the thrill of betting on their success.
The platform offers an extensive range of betting options ranging from straight bets to futures to parlays and more that add an extra layer of excitement to the racing action. Whether you’re a seasoned fan or just discovering the exhilaration of Formula 1, BetMGM is here to elevate your viewing experience and amplify your passion for the sport.
So, next time you hear those engines roar and the lights go green, make BetMGM your destination to bet on your favorite drivers and immerse yourself in the adrenaline-pumping world of Formula 1.Â
Visit us today, and let the excitement begin.
