Formula 1's stocks have never been higher. On the track, it continues to post record-setting financial numbers; off it, collaborative efforts with the likes of Netflix have been highly acclaimed. Drive to Survive, the two parties' docuseries, has earned the sport new fans globally, especially those of a younger demographic.
There were also livestreaming gains, as the season launch event, F1 75 Live, hit a new viewership record on the official YouTube channel with 1.1 million Peak Viewers. Held in front of a live audience at The O2 Arena in London, it was part of the sport's 75th anniversary celebrations.
These improvements have been backed by action on the track, where fans are witnessing one of the tightest fields in F1 history ahead of a major regulations overhaul in 2026. Unsurprisingly, this has meant that the apex of motorsports has attracted much attention on livestreaming platforms like Twitch.
With three winners in the first four races between March 13 to April 14, online users and fans have been debating which driver will go on to win the prestigious world championship. Streams Charts has collated some Formula 1 Twitch chat statistics from these Grand Prixs to examine which drivers and constructors have been mentioned the most and, using this data, attempted to point out which driver winning the world title would be the best outcome.
Formula 1 Twitch chat dynamics for 2025 season
When looking at the Formula 1 fan chat activity on Twitch for the first month of the new season, Verstappen was the most mentioned name. During the first four races of the new season — in Melbourne, Shanghai, Suzuka, and Bahrain — he won one race, the Japanese Grand Prix, and took pole twice.
It hasn't been the most vintage of seasons for the Dutchman, who was by far the fastest and best driver over the past five years in the sport. That consistency is what helped him win four successive world titles, but in 2025, his car and Red Bull in general have struggled.
McLaren, helmed by two of the most talented faces in Norris and Piastri, has undoubtedly been the fastest car in 2025. Red Bull has struggled to cope with its pace, especially on race day, and the travails of its second driver seat, shared by Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda, have not helped matters.
All this has led to much chatter among fans about the chances of Verstappen retaining his crown for the fourth year and becoming just the second driver to win five straight championships, joining the legendary Michael Schumacher in the process.
Streams Charts' chat analyzer functionality for Formula 1 on Twitch also showed that two-time world champion Fernando Alonso remains a prominent figure among fans, getting the fourth-most number of mentions. The Spaniard was one of just four drivers to accrue over a thousand mentions across the first four races of the 2025 season.
Getting back to the Twitch motorsport chat dynamics, Hamilton was unsurprisingly the second-most discussed driver, thanks to his struggles at the start of the season and the hype surrounding his glamor move to Ferrari. While he has scored points at every race he has finished, the Brit's lack of pace and falling ability to outperform the other leading contenders for the world championship, including teammate Charles Leclerc, have left the community worried if the switch was even worth it for both the legendary driver and Italian constructor.
Interestingly, world championship leader and early-season pace-setter Piastri is down in seventh when ranking the most mentioned drivers in the Twitch F1 commentary. This is not a big surprise given he is still making a name for himself and has only won five Formula One Grands Prix across three seasons, including three this year.
However, if the Melbourne native continues to put in such blistering displays, the world will remember him fondly come the season finale in Abu Dhabi. He has already become the first Australian to lead the world championship since Mark Webber (ironically, Piastri's current manager) in 2010, so the omens are good.
Looking at the teams, despite toiling in comparison to the last few years and lying third on the overall constructors table, Red Bull has led the motorsport talk on Twitch chat. Apart from Verstappen's on-track troubles and the merry-go-round between Lawson and Tsunoda for the second driver's slot, the bright performances of sister team Racing Bulls, especially up-and-comer Isack Hadjar, have hogged the headlines.
Comparisons between the two Red Bull-owned teams have grown by the day, with rookie Hadjar's stellar displays leading many to question why he isn't partnering Verstappen on Red Bull's roster. It remains to be seen how the Frenchman does across the season, as one or two bad performances can change things entirely in a sport as cutthroat as F1. However, Hadjar has shown flashes of potential that won't have gone unnoticed by the other constructors.
Readers must note that Red Bull mentions are not exclusive to Formula 1, as it is a major brand across segments like gaming, beverages, and music. The globally renowned company, perhaps most famous for its range of energy drinks by the same name, has a wide portfolio when it comes to sports.
The Austrian multinational private conglomerate's sporting investments include teams in the football leagues of Austria, Germany, Brazil, and America. It also has stakes in European ice hockey and esports, apart from being a massive name in sporting sponsorships and the extreme sports segment.
When it comes to F1, Red Bull has been part of the worldwide racing circus since 1995, when it started sponsoring the Sauber team. It also sponsors multiple motor racing teams globally, including the Dakar Rally, the World Rally Championship, and the British Superbikes.
Judging by Formula 1 fan chat on Twitch this year, it is safe to assume that a continuation of Red Bull's dominance would be the best outcome in terms of how it will be received in the livestreaming community. Although the high number of mentions it has received could be for the brand itself and not just the F1 team, the gap to second is large enough to assume that it is the most discussed constructor in 2025.
A win for McLaren, the sentimental favorite for many hardcore fans, and its drivers would obviously be celebrated. Meanwhile, Ferrari remains one of the most famous and followed brands globally, meaning success for the prancing horse will be great commercially and in terms of marketing metrics.
However, Red Bull remains the top dog thanks to its recent superiority, and Verstappen tying Schumacher would be the best way to reiterate the constructor's hold on the sport, even if it has struggled initially in 2025.
In conclusion, there's legacy and history up for grabs for Verstappen, while Piastri or Norris could herald a new era for McLaren. On the other hand, Ferrari and Mercedes lurk right on the cusp of a breakthrough. Whatever the outcome, this season promises a lot, especially with so many sub-plots weaving their threads around the calendar.
