Formula 1 saw an 8% rise in the number of fans attending races in '17, with 13 of the 20 races reporting bigger crowds, according to figures published by the sport’s commercial rights holder, according to Alan Baldwin of REUTERS. Monaco and Abu Dhabi reported "no change while five, including two of the races with the biggest overall turnout, saw slight decreases" on '16. The season’s global average attendance per three-day event was 203,570 and 76,722 on race Sunday. The total attendance over the 20-race season was 4,071,400 and is "set to grow next year with an extra race added to the calendar." Canada reported the biggest overall attendance of 360,000, an increase of 60,000 on '16, followed by the British Grand Prix at Silverstone on 344,500 and Mexico with 337,043. Azerbaijan saw the biggest percentage rise, up 57% with a reported crowd of 71,451. The Mexican Grand Prix was named the "best race of the season for the third year in a row." The award is decided by F1 management "in consultation with teams and stakeholders." Race promoter Alejandro Soberon said, "This is the first time ever that the same city gets three in a row" (REUTERS, 12/9).
