Formula 1 has finally gotten the recognition it deserves

Formula 1 was rated the “Fastest growing fandom” in the FanSided Fandoms of the Year 2021, and there was never a better choice.

The last few editions of FanSided’s FanSided 250, described as “the ultimate ranking of fandoms — from sports to entertainment, celebrities to gaming”, have seen the world of motorsport largely left out of the party, which is unfortunately nothing new.

For instance, Michael Jordan made the list last year, but it had nothing to do with the excitement surrounding the NBA legend’s new venture into the NASCAR Cup Series as a team owner with Denny Hamlin, which had been announced only a few months prior.

This year, things are a bit different.

This year’s list is simply called the FanSided Fandoms of the Year 2021, and it features a list of 100 fandoms and highlights how all of them are worthy of celebration from this past year.

Fandoms of the Year

Fandoms of the Year Logo

Did your fandom make the list?

See the 2021 list

Additionally, for the first time, these 100 fandoms are not ranked, though there 10 of these 100 were selected for superlative recognition.

These changes could not have come at a better time for race fans.

The world of motorsport is finally getting the recognition it deserves, and in more ways than one.

One of the 10 superlatives on this year’s list is “Fastest growing fandom”, and the fandom selected for this one was none other than Formula 1.

It’s hard to argue against that, both in the United States and on the global scale, and there are a number of reasons why.

First of all, this year’s championship battle between Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time and four-time reigning world champion, has been one for the ages.

Secondly, more eyes have been exposed to the sport — and have thus gotten hooked on it — after watching the first few seasons of Netflix documentary series Formula 1: Drive to Survive.

This surge in popularity has led to record television audiences — even with races at odd times in the morning in certain time zones — and a United States Grand Prix that saw over 400,000 fans at Circuit of the Americas, smashing the all-time record for the highest attendance at a three-day Formula 1 race weekend.

Several stars from other racing series and even other sports are often seen tweeting about the races as they’re unfolding, something that was nowhere near as common even just a few years ago.

As for the rest of the list, Formula 1 got additional well-deserved recognition.

The fandom of Verstappen was one of those selected this year. The Dutchman has won a series-high nine races throughout the 2021 season thus far and holds a slight advantage (on a tiebreaker) over Hamilton with just one race to go on the 22-race calendar.

Given the huge support — and the many orange flares — that Verstappen received from the “Orange Army” at his home races, none more notable than the Dutch Grand Prix in Formula 1’s return to Circuit Zandvoort, he was a shoo-in for one of the other 99 spots. His rise to stardom has made him one of the top sporting figures across the globe.

Check out the rest of the list here.

The 2021 season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is set to be broadcast live on ESPN2 from Yas Marina Circuit beginning at 7:55 a.m. ET this Sunday, December 12. Don’t miss this great opportunity to start your free trial of FuboTV!