By Kunal Shah Special to Gulf News
As Formula 1 roared in Austria over the weekend, there was plenty of buzz surrounding the multiple worldwide premieres of the much-anticipated F1 Movie. While Hollywood celebrities graced the red carpets in the US and UK, I was honoured to attend the premiere at the Colosseum in Oslo..However, not everyone was excited about 鈥 or attending 鈥 the official launch of Formula 1鈥檚 first movie. The initial premiere in New York City was notably skipped by reigning world champion Max Verstappen, current World Championship leader Oscar Piastri, former double world champion Fernando Alonso, and, wait for it 鈥 Aston Martin鈥檚 title hopeful, Lance Stroll..The responses to the F1 Movie have been full of superlatives. The racing sequences have been hailed as the most realistic ever portrayed in motorsport cinema. Filmmakers have also made a clear effort to simplify racing terminology and key moments for the newer audiences the film is expected to draw. Like most Hollywood productions, there are plot twists and dramatic elements that deviate from real-life F1, but fans will need to keep an open mind when Formula 1 meets Hollywood..F1, the business.A blockbuster F1 Movie would only add to Formula 1鈥檚 booming global appeal. In 2024, the sport recorded a 10 per cent rise in TV viewership and a 9 per cent increase in physical attendance at races. According to Formula 1, a record 6.5 million fans attended races, with 17 of the 24 events on the calendar selling out..For Liberty Media, the sport has become a lucrative investment 鈥 and they continue to find new ways to monetise motorsport鈥檚 growing fan base. Earlier this week, the European Commission approved Liberty Media鈥檚 acquisition of MotoGP, the premier two-wheeled racing series in the world..By early July, Liberty Media will own 84 per cent of MotoGP 鈥 a deal that places MotoGP鈥檚 enterprise value at 鈧4.3 billion..Approval from Sauber.The recent Canadian Grand Prix marked Sauber鈥檚 600th race in Formula 1 鈥 a major milestone for one of the sport鈥檚 most beloved privateer teams. Speaking to Gulf News, Sauber founder Peter Sauber reflected on the team鈥檚 legacy, the 2025 season, and Liberty Media鈥檚 broader influence on Formula 1..鈥淲hat strikes me is the leap in popularity that Formula 1 has made since Liberty Media鈥檚 acquisition. The popularity has increased significantly worldwide, especially among female viewers and young people 鈥 particularly through Netflix,鈥 said a delighted Sauber, who admitted he remains emotionally invested in the sport. 鈥淵ou could say that Formula 1 has really boomed in recent years.鈥濃 Kunal Shah is an FIA-accredited Formula 1 journalist & a TV expert. He is the former Head of Marketing, Sponsorship & junior driver programme at the Force India F1 team.