Apple TV Becomes Exclusive US Home of Formula 1 for the 2026 Season
Formula 1 has entered a new broadcasting era in the United States, with Apple TV becoming the exclusive home of F1 coverage for the 2026 season.
Starting with this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix, Apple TV subscribers in the US will be able to watch every practice session, Qualifying, Sprint, and Grand Prix live and on demand throughout the season.
The move marks a major shift for Formula 1’s American audience, as the sport continues to grow rapidly in the United States.
For fans, this is more than just a change of broadcaster. Apple is building a full F1 experience across Apple TV, Apple Sports, Apple News, Apple Maps, Apple Music, and Apple Podcasts — creating a connected Formula 1 ecosystem around the race weekend.
A New Era for F1 Fans in the United States
Formula 1’s growth in America has been one of the sport’s biggest success stories in recent years.
With races in Miami, Austin, and Las Vegas, along with the continued popularity of Drive to Survive, F1 has become far more visible to US audiences than it was a decade ago.
Now, Apple TV is taking over as the exclusive US broadcaster at a time when the sport is entering a major new chapter.
The 2026 season brings new regulations, new cars, new engines, new driver storylines, and fresh competitive uncertainty. For Formula 1, this makes the timing of the Apple partnership especially important.
F1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali described the agreement as the beginning of an exciting chapter for the sport in the United States, highlighting the shared ambition between Formula 1 and Apple to innovate and deliver better fan experiences.
What US Fans Get with Apple TV
Apple TV subscribers in the United States will be able to watch every Formula 1 session live and on demand.
That includes:
- Practice sessions
- Qualifying
- Sprint sessions
- Grands Prix
- Full replays
- Highlights
- Race in 30
- Spoiler-free catch-up options
One of the biggest upgrades is the broadcast quality. Formula 1 coverage on Apple TV will include 5.1 surround sound and, for the first time for F1 viewers, 4K with Dolby Vision.
That is a major step forward for fans who want a more cinematic race-day experience.
Multiview and Extra Live Feeds
Apple TV’s F1 coverage will also offer a more interactive way to watch race weekends.
Fans will have access to English and Spanish commentary, along with up to 30 additional live feeds across sessions.
These include driver tracking, live timing, telemetry, onboard feeds, podium-focused cameras, and other race-specific views.
The Multiview feature may be one of the biggest additions for serious F1 fans. Viewers will be able to watch up to four feeds at once, either using preconfigured layouts or creating their own custom setup.
For example, a fan could watch the main broadcast, live timing, an onboard camera, and the driver tracker all at the same time.
That kind of flexibility could completely change how fans follow strategy, battles, pit stops, and race developments.
F1 TV Premium Included for Apple TV Subscribers
Another major part of the deal is the integration of F1 TV Premium.
Formula 1’s direct-to-consumer service remains available in the United States through Apple TV and is included at no extra cost for Apple TV subscribers.
Through the F1 TV app on Apple TV, iPhone, and iPad, subscribers will also be able to access Formula 2, Formula 3, F1 ACADEMY, and Porsche Supercup events.
This is important because it gives fans a more complete view of the motorsport ladder — not just Formula 1.
For fans who follow junior categories and future F1 talent, this makes Apple TV a much broader motorsport platform.
Drive to Survive Comes to Apple TV
In another major move, Formula 1: Drive to Survive will now be available to stream on both Netflix and Apple TV in the United States.
Season 8 covers the 2025 Formula 1 World Championship, giving fans a behind-the-scenes look at one of the most dramatic modern seasons.
This is a smart move from both Formula 1 and Apple. Many newer fans discovered the sport through Drive to Survive, and making it available through Apple TV keeps those fans inside the wider F1 viewing experience.
The 2026 Canadian Grand Prix will also stream on both Apple TV and Netflix in the United States, adding another layer to the collaboration.
Apple Is Turning F1 Into a Full Ecosystem
What makes this partnership especially interesting is that Apple is not only treating Formula 1 as a live sports broadcast.
Instead, F1 is being integrated across several Apple services.
Apple Sports will offer live updates, standings, leaderboards, session information, and quick access to watch races live on Apple TV.
Apple Maps will add Grand Prix-specific features for selected races, including circuit maps, turn numbers, grandstands, event gates, road closures, transit updates, and 3D landmarks.
Apple Music will feature live race audio broadcasts, F1-themed music collections, driver-curated playlists, and exclusive content.
Apple News will provide personalised F1 coverage from major publishers, while Apple Podcasts will include a dedicated Formula 1 collection featuring official shows such as F1 Nation and F1 Beyond The Grid.
For fans, this means Formula 1 will no longer exist only during race weekends. It will become part of their daily media experience across multiple Apple platforms.
Why This Matters for Formula 1
This deal shows how valuable Formula 1 has become in the US market.
The sport is no longer simply trying to attract American fans — it is now building long-term infrastructure to keep them engaged.
Apple’s involvement could also raise the standard for sports broadcasting in F1. With Multiview, extra live feeds, 4K Dolby Vision, and integrated apps, fans may expect a more personalised and premium experience from now on.
For newer fans, this makes F1 more accessible.
For long-time fans, it offers more control, more data, and more depth.
Final Thoughts
Apple TV becoming the exclusive US home of Formula 1 is one of the biggest media developments of the 2026 season.
It arrives at the perfect time, with the sport entering a new technical era and continuing to grow in America.
The real question now is whether this partnership will set a new benchmark for how Formula 1 is watched around the world.
For US fans, the 2026 season will not just look different on track — it will feel different at home too.
