Apple goes big on F1 for US season Apple TV launch
Apple has gone large to promote the start of the 2026 Formula 1 season this weekend, exclusively on Apple TV in the U.S.
The link means US Apple TV subscribers will be able to watch all practice, qualifying, and Sprint sessions, along with races all through the season. Races begin Saturday, March 7, at 8 p.m. PT.
What Apple said
“This weekend marks the start of a new era for Formula 1 fans in the U.S.,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Services. “We’re excited to bring every moment of the season to Apple TV, delivering an immersive experience designed entirely around fans. Formula 1’s growth in America has been extraordinary, and we’re proud to build on that momentum — combining the power of Apple TV with the broader Apple ecosystem to create even more ways for fans to connect with the sport.”
“As we begin this exciting chapter for our sport with new teams, cars, engines, and drivers, it is the perfect time to welcome Apple as our broadcaster in the United States,” said Stefano Domenicali, Formula 1’s president and CEO.
“We have an important journey ahead of us, one we’ll share in a country where the passion for F1 continues to grow with extraordinary energy. We are two global brands with the same ambition: to always strive for excellence, to boldly innovate, and to deliver thrilling experiences. I am sure our American fans will appreciate not only the intensity and spectacle of our races, but also the quality and coverage they’ll have available. Throughout the season, they’ll be able to experience every moment on Apple TV, feeling even closer to the action, the teams, and the protagonists of this unique sport.”
The Best Way to Watch Formula 1 in the U.S.
Viewers can expect comprehensive coverage and analysis, expansive programming, and every Grand Prix with 5.1 surround sound — and, for the first time ever for F1 viewers, in stunning 4K with Dolby Vision.1
Coverage will feature English and Spanish commentary, along with access to up to 30 additional live feeds across all sessions, including Driver Tracker for a bird’s-eye view of the race; real-time telemetry and timing; a mixed onboard feed that automatically switches between onboard cameras as the race unfolds; and Podium feeds that dynamically follow the drivers running in P1, P2, and P3 throughout.
Viewers can follow every moment of the race with a Multiview experience, watching up to four live feeds at once. Viewers will also have access to Sky Sports broadcasts, providing another way to enjoy every race weekend.
But Apple is really going for it and will support the launch with curated collections of programming covering, last season recaps, and provision of F1 TV Premium — Formula 1’s premier direct-to-consumer offering —exclusively in the U.S. through Apple TV and is included at no additional cost for subscribers.
On Apple TV, iPad, and iPhone, subscribers can also access Formula 2, Formula 3, F1 ACADEMY, and Porsche Supercup events through the F1 TV app using their Apple TV subscription.
So much added value here
And it doesn’t stop there. For the first time, Formula 1: Drive to Survive will be available to stream on both Netflix and Apple TV all across the season. Apple Sports includes team coverage, while Apple Maps will let race fans explore more details such as race circuit maps and 3D landmarks for places like the F1 pit.
Apple Music will feature free live audio broadcasts of the races in the US. You’ll find F1 inspired music playlists, driver-curated playlists and more in the F1 dedicated space, which also offers interviews with racers.
Apple News and Apple Podcasts are also getting behind this launch with news coverage, race notifications, and a new dedicated F1 podcast collection.
All in all, I think it’s fair to say that if you enjoy Formula 1 the sum of what Apple has to offer you makes it the best available way to access these games. You can even find Apple’s coverage on third party sites, including Tubi, Yahoo Sports, Imax, Prime Video and more.
At some point in the future, it is easy to imagine Apple may take some of the driver video coverage and repurpose it for Vision Pro, which should be popular too.
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