$180 million F1 BOMBSHELL drops ahead of pre-season testing

Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen and Lando Norris with the Australian Grand Prix circuit at Albert Park, Melbourne in the background — Photo: © IMAGO

F1 News

$180 million F1 BOMBSHELL drops ahead of pre-season testing

The F1 2025 season officially gets underway with testing in Bahrain this week

Simmey Hannifin Donaldson

Tuesday 25 February 2025 02:00

A huge $180 million bombshell regarding the future of Formula 1 in the United States has dropped on the eve of 2025 pre-season testing in Bahrain.

The upcoming campaign looks set to be one of the most exciting seasons ever, with the likes of Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen, Lando Norris, and Charles Leclerc, among others, likely eyeing a drivers' championship challenge.

That is before you even touch on the constructors' championship, with the potential for it to be a four-way fight between McLaren, Red Bull, Ferrari and Mercedes this season.

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Of course, viewers in the United States can watch all of the action unfold live on ESPN this campaign. However, that may be changing heading for 2026.

Max Verstappen heads into 2025 as a four-time champion

McLaren won the constructors' championship in 2024

F1 HEADLINES: Max Verstappen plans revealed as Aston Martin make STUNNING announcement

F1 broadcast rights bombshell emerges

Netflix are reportedly interested in broadcasting F1 in the US

According to their report, Liberty Media views the new deal as one of the biggest economic levers the series has at its disposal to drive more revenue ahead of a new concorde agreement in 2026.

Whilst Netflix and Apple have reportedly shown interest, Fox Sports — who are a NASCAR broadcast partner and are set to show IndyCar for the first time this season — are not interested in broadcasting F1 in the United States, SBJ reveals.

GPFans has contacted F1 for comment.

Max Verstappen Lewis Hamilton Ferrari Formula 1 Lando Norris Charles Leclerc