Even using an extremely conservative measure, F1: The Movie has easily surpassed this figure. Based on an average $20 (£14.60) cost of a premium IMAX ticket, at least 7.2m people have already seen the film. In reality, the figure will be far larger, as only 20% of the revenue came from higher-priced IMAX screens.

The results will be music to F1’s ears, coming amid a gradual decline in viewers for each new series of Drive to Survive. The Netflix series is credited with driving a surge of grand prix fans in recent years, and the F1’s hope is that the movie will pick up where the TV docudrama left off.

F1’s CEO, Stefano Domenicali. has spoken of the film picking up where Drive to Survive left off.

“One object that we had was really to feel the authenticity of what we are showing to the world,” Domenicali told Racer. “But then to connect with and hope the new generation, the new people that will see Formula 1 for the first time, will stay with us for a long time.”

Bruckheimer described how the audience reaction at pre-release screenings suggested that the theory would work: “The audience in America, out of 20 people, one person raised their hand and said they’re aware of F1,” he said. “At the end of the screening, everybody raised their hand [when asked if they wanted to watch a grand prix].”