US documentary to explore the billion-dollar business of Formula One

A new Formula One documentary will provide fans of the sport with a behind-the-scenes look at how the world’s largest motorsport category works as a business – though it’s not yet known whether it will be shown in Australia.

While streaming giant Netflix has ushered in a new generation of Formula One fans with its ‘Drive to Survive’ series, the dramatised show doesn’t provide an insight into how the sport works financially, with the billions of dollars invested by sponsors, investors and governments going seemingly unmentioned.

Hosted by CNBC financial news reporter and anchor Sara Eisen, Inside Track: The Business of Formula 1 will not only show how the sport gets fans trackside, but also how it makes its money and engages fans away from the circuit.

Ms Eisen also interviews Susie Wolff – the managing director of the F1 Academy series, and the most recent woman to drive a Formula One car during an official race weekend – about female drivers in motorsport.

The documentary will investigate the 2017 takeover of Formula One by US firm Liberty Media – who acquired the sport from long-time supremo Bernie Ecclestone – and how the sport has attempted to break into the US market, now hosting three races per year in the country.

According to CNBC, the documentary will air on November 16 local time, just one day before the first practice session for this year’s 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix – a race which is being tipped as the most expensive for fans all year, with high ticket and accommodation prices.

As CNBC and its parent company Comcast do not have an agreement with any Australian broadcasters to show its programs locally, it is not clear whether local fans will have legal access to watch the documentary.