F1 reports $92m in profit in 2021 as income bounces back to normal

The organisation’s numbers took a massive hit in 2020 as the COVID pandemic hit and only 17 races were held – most of them without spectators. 

Overall revenues crashed from $2.022bn in 2019 to just $1.145bn in 2020.

However, in 2021, despite the ongoing impact of COVID, 22 races took place, and with many of them seeing the return of spectators F1’s revenue recovered to $2.136bn.

F1’s income was also boosted by a one-off payment related to the cancellation of the contract for the Vietnam GP, an event that was supposed to be held for the first time in 2020.

As a result of the higher revenues a disastrous operating income loss of $386m in 2020 was turned into a profit of $92m in 2021, after the 10 F1 teams were paid.

The total payments to the teams staged an impressive recovery. From $1.012bn in 2019 they fell to just $711m in 2020 and bounced back to $1.068bn in 2021.

Explaining the boost in income Liberty Media made it clear that the return of fans was the major driving factor in 2021.

“Fan attendance continued to be assessed by relevant government authorities on a race-by-race basis throughout the year, with restrictions easing as the year progressed and significantly higher fan attendance beginning in the third quarter of 2021 compared to the prior year,” the company said in announcing its results.

“Race promotion revenue grew due to five more events held in 2021, including more non-European races, some of which saw the return of capacity crowds, whereas limitations on fan attendance in the prior year led to one-time changes in the contractual terms of races held.”

Although Vietnam was not named Liberty also noted: “Race promotion revenue for the full year also benefited from a one-time settlement recognised in the first quarter related to the cancellation of a race originally scheduled to commence in 2020.”

Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes W12, Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes W12, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB16B, Sergio Perez, Red Bull Racing RB16B, Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF21, and the rest of the field at the start

Photo by: Jerry Andre / Motorsport Images

Liberty stressed that in addition to earning more from race deals F1's income from broadcasting and sponsorship was also up.

“Media rights revenue increased for the full year driven by higher broadcasting fees due to improved terms in certain new and renewed broadcasting agreements, other contractual rate increases, strong growth in F1 TV subscription revenue and the effect on the prior year of one-time changes in contract fees resulting from the pandemic and associated calendar disruptions.

“Sponsorship revenue increased due to revenue from new sponsors and the impact of more races held as well as pandemic-related reductions to sponsorship revenue recognised in the prior year.”