The 2025 Formula 1 championship ended with its final race, marking the last ESPN broadcast in the United States. Starting in 2026, Apple assumes exclusive rights through a five-year partnership, streaming all events via the Apple TV app as part of a standard subscription.
Apple released a social media advertisement on the championship’s concluding day, offering the initial preview of the dedicated Formula 1 channel integrated within the Apple TV application. This visual introduction displays the interface users will encounter for accessing Formula 1 content. The partnership, announced earlier, positions Apple as the sole broadcaster for Formula 1 races in the United States beginning with the 2026 season. This arrangement replaces ESPN’s previous role, which covered races up to the 2025 finale held today.
The inaugural race weekend of the 2026 season is set for March 6 through 8. However, the Formula 1 streaming service within the Apple TV app is anticipated to activate prior to this date, incorporating preseason materials to engage viewers early. Subscribers to Apple TV gain access to the entirety of Formula 1 content without incurring additional fees beyond the base subscription cost. This includes comprehensive coverage of every session throughout the season.
Specifically, the Apple TV app facilitates live streaming of all practice sessions, qualifying rounds, sprint races, and full Grand Prix events. Apple’s prior statements confirm this broad scope, ensuring fans receive uninterrupted access to key competitive moments. The platform builds on existing streaming capabilities to deliver these sessions directly to compatible devices.
Screenshots accompanying the social media ad reveal additional features, such as onboard driver cameras integrated into the viewing experience. These cameras provide real-time perspectives from inside the vehicles during races. The app supports Multiview functionality, allowing simultaneous display of multiple camera angles or feeds. This enables viewers to customize their perspective, such as watching a driver’s onboard view alongside trackside action.
Multiview operates on select Apple hardware, including Apple TV set-top boxes, iPad tablets, and the Apple Vision Pro headset. Device compatibility aligns with Apple’s established standards for such interactive features. Previously, in the United States, access to onboard driver cameras required a separate subscription to the F1.TV service. Under the new arrangement, this premium content becomes available at no extra cost to Apple TV subscribers, broadening accessibility for American audiences.
Apple has indicated that further details on production elements and enhancements to the platform will emerge in subsequent announcements over the coming months. These updates may introduce refinements to the streaming quality or interactive options within the app. For dedicated enthusiasts seeking extended features, the Apple TV account serves as a login credential for the F1.TV website and associated mobile applications.
This integration permits users to navigate F1.TV in the identical manner as prior standalone subscribers, retaining access to archived races, additional camera angles, and other specialized content. The shift eliminates the need for a dedicated F1.TV subscription fee, positioning the service as an included benefit of the Apple TV package. Current pricing for Apple TV stands at $12.99 per month or $99 for an annual plan.
Alternatively, the Apple One bundle provides Apple TV access at a reduced rate, combined with iCloud storage options and subscriptions to other Apple services such as Apple Music and Apple Arcade. This bundled approach offers a consolidated entry point for multiple digital content streams.
