On the Role of Race Outcome Uncertainty in the TV Demand for Formula 1 Grands Prix

This study analyzes 400 broadcasts of Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) Formula One (F1) World Championship Grands Prix between 1993 and 2014 in order to explore the question of whether race outcome uncertainty affects the TV demand for F1 racing in Germany. The results reveal that demand is shaped by race outcome uncertainty as proxied by performance differences between those drivers with the best performances during the qualifying as well as additional factors primarily related to Grand Prix circuit and scheduling. From a TV demand perspective, FIA, therefore, is well advised to keep the competition among F1 teams balanced