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Not long ago, Formula 1 felt like a distant sport for most Pakistanis something reserved for European elites, expensive TV subscriptions, and luxury car fanatics. But something’s changed. These days, more and more Pakistanis are tuning in, talking about race weekends, following their favorite drivers, and even debating tire strategies like seasoned fans.
From city cafes in Lahore to Instagram stories in Karachi, the buzz around Formula 1 is undeniable. What was once niche is quickly becoming mainstream especially among Pakistan’s youth.
A big part of this shift is thanks to global trends. Formula 1’s popularity is booming everywhere. With its high-speed drama, rivalries, and cinematic flair, F1 has become one of the most-watched sports on Earth. But in Pakistan, this wave is not just about cars and competition it’s about identity, connection, and global belonging.
You’ll often hear fans talk about Netflix’s Drive to Survive as their first introduction. Others credit social media memes, flashy car pages, or even influencers who break down races in Urdu. Whatever the entry point, one thing is clear: the Formula 1 fan base in Pakistan is growing fast and it’s not slowing down.
So why now? What’s changed? And what does the future hold for motorsport in a country without a single Formula 1 track?
Let’s dive into why Formula 1 is racing into the hearts of Pakistani viewers faster than ever before.
Ask any new Formula 1 fan how they got into the sport, and chances are they’ll mention one thing: Drive to Survive. This Netflix docuseries didn’t just change how people watch Formula 1 it changed who watches it.
Instead of focusing only on lap times and podium finishes, Drive to Survive took fans behind the scenes. It showed the raw emotions, fiery rivalries, off-track drama, and personal sacrifices that define F1 the stuff that never makes it to the race broadcast. And that approach worked.
Globally, the series played a major role in opening up F1 to new audiences especially younger viewers and people who never considered themselves motorsport fans before. Between 2019 and 2024, F1 saw a surge of over 80 million new fans, with much of that growth attributed to Netflix. In the U.S., where F1 used to be niche, it's now competing with traditional sports in viewership. In countries like India and the Middle East, fan engagement has skyrocketed.
In Pakistan, it’s had a similar ripple effect. Many young viewers especially those who grew up on streaming platforms discovered Formula 1 not through the races, but through the stories. They found drivers like Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen, or Charles Leclerc not just fast on track, but deeply human, relatable, and intense. For Pakistani fans, who value drama, loyalty, and character-driven narratives (think cricket rivalries or PSL team loyalties), Drive to Survive felt familiar even cinematic.
The series transformed Formula 1 from a technical sport into a global entertainment powerhouse. And in a digital-first Pakistan, where Netflix and YouTube drive much of youth culture, that transformation hit home.
One of the biggest reasons behind Formula 1’s global rise and its growing audience in Pakistan is simple: it’s easier to watch than ever before.
Not too long ago, following an F1 race meant having access to premium sports channels, dealing with inconvenient time zones, or relying on pirated streams. Today, thanks to streaming services, YouTube highlights, and even social media snippets, the entire Formula 1 experience is just a few taps away especially for younger, mobile-first audiences.
Globally, F1 made smart digital moves. The sport launched its own OTT platform, F1 TV, offering live races, radio team feeds, and archive footage. Meanwhile, social platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube became F1’s unofficial second screen with teams, drivers, and fans posting everything from behind-the-scenes moments to race-day reactions in real time.
In Pakistan, this shift to digital has had a major impact. With high smartphone penetration and affordable data packages, Gen Z and millennials no longer rely on traditional TV. Platforms like A-Sports and ARY ZAP have started broadcasting F1 content locally, and YouTube clips from channels like WTF1 or Sky Sports F1 are massively popular here.
Even Urdu-speaking fan pages and influencers now break down races, controversies, and championship standings making the sport more accessible for everyday viewers who may not know every rule but love the excitement.
Plus, F1 content has become bite-sized and shareable. You don’t have to watch all 70 laps a dramatic overtake, a fiery team radio message, or a last-lap crash trending on Twitter is enough to spark curiosity and turn a casual scroll into a full-blown obsession.
In short, Formula 1 didn’t just go digital it went viral. And in a country like Pakistan, where social media often drives fandom, that’s a game-changer.
Pakistan’s youth have always been passionate whether it’s cricket, tech, fashion, or music. Now, they’re bringing that same energy to motorsports especially Formula 1.
With over 64% of Pakistan’s population under the age of 30, there’s a massive, curious audience hungry for new experiences. As more young people get access to smartphones, global streaming platforms, and international pop culture, their exposure to sports like Formula 1 has skyrocketed.
But it’s not just exposure it’s resonance. F1’s blend of speed, engineering, team rivalry, and high stakes aligns well with Gen Z’s love for adrenaline, drama, and digital storytelling. Whether it’s the roar of a V6 hybrid engine, the sleek design of a Red Bull car, or the on-track clashes between top drivers, everything about F1 screams “modern, elite, global” which deeply appeals to urban youth in cities like Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad.
There’s also an emerging car culture in Pakistan. Auto expos, racing-themed meetups, and content creators focused on luxury cars and tuning have helped normalize “speed enthusiasm.” Events like the PakWheels Auto Show draw huge crowds and give fans a local taste of what motorsport excitement feels like.
Many Pakistani youngsters also see F1 as more than just a sport it’s a symbol of global inclusion. Watching it makes them feel part of a wider, cosmopolitan community. It’s not unusual to see young fans wearing Ferrari caps, Mercedes-AMG shirts, or sharing memes of Lando Norris or Charles Leclerc.
In short, the rise in F1 viewership isn’t random it’s rooted in a generation that’s globally connected, locally expressive, and endlessly curious.
Formula 1 didn’t just gain fans in Pakistan through traditional sports media it went viral. And much of that credit goes to influencers, meme pages, and the power of social media.
In the age of TikTok, Instagram reels, and YouTube Shorts, attention spans are short but F1 is tailor-made for viral moments. A dramatic overtake, a fiery team radio clip, or a driver reaction after a crash can spread like wildfire online. And that’s exactly what’s been happening in Pakistan.
Local content creators and car enthusiasts are increasingly covering Formula 1. From quick race recaps in Urdu to memes comparing team rivalries with PSL drama, influencers are making F1 feel local, relatable, and even humorous. Pages like PakMotorsport, AutoRealm PK, and other car-focused Instagram handles frequently post F1 content, which gets reshared widely.
Even mainstream Pakistani influencers those not traditionally focused on sports occasionally post about F1, especially during high-drama weekends like Monaco, Silverstone, or Abu Dhabi. When celebrities or digital creators show interest, it validates the fandom and encourages others to join in.
Meanwhile, meme culture has played a huge role. Memes about team rivalries (Mercedes vs Red Bull), iconic moments (like “Fernando is faster than you”), or comparisons between F1 drivers and Pakistani celebrities have created a hybrid entertainment-sport genre that’s impossible to ignore.
And then there’s Twitter (now X) the go-to platform for live reactions during race weekends. Hashtags like #F1Pakistan or #F1LIVE often trend locally during major events. Fans tweet in real-time, share predictions, and post reactions, making race days feel like communal events even without a local race to attend.
In short, Pakistani fans aren’t just watching Formula 1 they’re remixing it, localizing it, and sharing it in ways that make it viral and culturally relevant.
While global stars like Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen dominate the headlines, a surprising driver of F1’s popularity in Pakistan is something closer to home: national pride.
Enter Enaam Ahmed, a British-Pakistani racing driver who made headlines by breaking multiple motorsport records including some once held by F1 legend Ayrton Senna. Though not yet in Formula 1, Enaam’s achievements have inspired a wave of curiosity and excitement among young Pakistanis who, for the first time, see someone with their background competing at a high level in motorsports.
His success is frequently covered in Pakistani media, with headlines celebrating him as “Pakistan’s F1 Hope.” Interviews with Enaam often go viral, especially when he talks about his Pakistani roots and dreams of representing the country on a global stage. For many fans, he’s become a symbol of what’s possible a reminder that Pakistanis can belong in elite international arenas.
Beyond Enaam, the emergence of local karting leagues, amateur motorsport events, and car racing content creators has helped build a community. Local influencers who attend international races, wear team gear, or explain the sport in Urdu have also become mini-celebrities in F1 circles.
This sense of representation even if symbolic is powerful. Just as Shoaib Akhtar or Babar Azam represent Pakistan on the cricket field, fans dream of the day they’ll see a Pakistani flag on the F1 grid.
For a generation raised in a globally connected world, seeing “someone like us” chase Formula 1 glory is more than inspiring it’s motivating. It transforms F1 from a faraway fantasy into a reachable ambition.
And that shift from distant admiration to personal connection is a huge reason why Formula 1 is winning Pakistani hearts.
While F1 fandom is growing rapidly in Pakistan, the country’s motorsport infrastructure is still stuck in first gear. Simply put there’s passion, but no platform.
Unlike countries with local racetracks, karting leagues, or even amateur motorsport circuits, Pakistan lacks the basic facilities to support a grassroots racing culture. There are no FIA-certified tracks, very few go-karting venues, and almost zero formal racing academies. This makes it nearly impossible for aspiring drivers to start their journey, let alone dream of reaching Formula 1.
Even informal car enthusiast events like drift meets or autocross sessions are few and far between, often limited to major cities like Lahore or Karachi, and usually organized by private clubs or online communities. While exciting, these events can’t replace structured competition or formal training environments.
This absence of infrastructure also means limited visibility. Without local races, F1 viewing parties, or public promotions, Formula 1 remains mostly an online experience not something you can see, feel, or participate in on the ground.
Yet, the dreams are big. More and more young Pakistanis are expressing interest in motorsport not just as fans, but as future racers, engineers, or team members. Some even travel abroad to attend F1 races or join karting academies in the UAE or UK, if they can afford it.
The passion is real. What’s missing is the system to support it.
Even as interest in Formula 1 grows across Pakistan, one of the biggest hurdles remains simple access and it comes in three forms: where to watch, how to understand, and what it costs.
For years, Formula 1 wasn’t officially broadcast in Pakistan, leaving fans to rely on illegal streams or highlights shared on social media. While channels like A-Sports and streaming apps like ARY ZAP have started showing races, the coverage is still limited and not always consistent. Many fans still don’t know where to watch live races, especially in regional languages.
Language is another major issue. F1 commentary is almost exclusively in English, using highly technical terms ERS, DRS, oversteer, undercut which can be confusing for casual viewers or those not fluent in English. Unlike cricket, which is covered in Urdu and Punjabi across channels, there are very few efforts to localize F1 content for the average Pakistani viewer.
Then there’s the issue of cost. Subscribing to F1 TV, Sky Sports, or even some local sports packages can be expensive for students or low-income fans. In a country where many people already juggle between rising inflation and basic expenses, paying just to watch a sport can be a tough sell no matter how exciting it is.
These barriers don’t stop the most dedicated fans, of course. But they do limit F1’s mainstream reach in Pakistan. If the sport wants to grow deeper roots here, it needs to be easier, cheaper, and more inclusive to watch.
Formula 1 is no longer just a foreign fascination for Pakistanis it’s becoming a genuine obsession. What started as a niche interest is now being embraced by young people across the country, thanks to global media, relatable storytelling, and the dream of seeing someone from our side of the world make it to the big leagues.
From Drive to Survive turning drivers into celebrities, to Pakistani fans flooding social media with memes and race-day debates, the energy is real. F1 has found a foothold in Pakistan’s digital spaces and it’s growing stronger with each season.
But like any race, the road isn’t smooth. Lack of infrastructure, costly access, and limited local exposure are still slowing down the sport’s potential here. Pakistanis love speed, competition, and spectacle but for F1 to truly thrive, it needs to become more accessible, more relatable, and more present in our everyday lives.
Imagine if F1 races were commentated in Urdu. If schools had karting programs. If Enaam Ahmed inspired a wave of young drivers. If a Grand Prix was hosted on Pakistani soil someday. Far-fetched? Maybe. But so was the idea of millions of Pakistanis following Formula 1 a decade ago.
The wheels are already turning. The fans are here. The passion is undeniable.
Now it’s time for the engines to roar louder not just across TV screens, but in the hearts and streets of Pakistan.
Are you watching? Because Pakistan is.
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