Apple and Formula 1: A New Era Begins in 2026

As the roar of Formula 1 engines echoes into a new regulatory era in 2026—with revamped cars, new teams, and heightened competition—American fans are gearing up for a viewing transformation that’s as innovative as the sport itself. Apple, the tech titan known for reshaping industries, has stepped into the driver’s seat as F1’s exclusive U.S. broadcast partner, promising to elevate the experience from mere streaming to an immersive, year-round spectacle.

–by Mark Cipolloni–

Announced in October 2025, this five-year deal, valued at approximately $140 million annually, shifts all F1 coverage from ESPN to Apple TV, starting with the season opener in Australia on March 15.

For U.S. fans, long accustomed to ESPN’s ad-free but sometimes compressed broadcasts, Apple’s entry means exclusivity on Apple TV—no more cable bundles or multiple apps. Every session, from free practice to qualifying, Sprint races, and the 24 Grands Prix, will stream live and on-demand. But it’s not just about access; Apple is pledging a “premium and innovative fan-first coverage” that leverages its technological prowess to deliver what Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Services, calls a “transformative” experience.

Picture this: You’re settled in for the Miami Grand Prix, but instead of a standard feed, you toggle between team-specific cameras following your favorite driver—say, Max Verstappen’s Red Bull or Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari—with real-time data overlays on speed, tire wear, and strategy.

Apple plans to introduce uncompressed 4K streaming for sharper visuals and smoother motion, addressing common gripes about broadcast quality. “One of the first things you’re going to see is a quality of video you’ve never seen before,” Cue revealed in a recent interview. “Because we take 4K, but we don’t compress it at the levels that people are used to.”

Innovative camera angles, potentially using mobile devices in hard-to-reach spots around the circuit, draw inspiration from the blockbuster F1 movie starring Brad Pitt, which grossed over $630 million and earned Grammy nods.

Beyond race weekends, Apple’s strategy is to weave F1 into the fabric of everyday American life, aiming to make it as ubiquitous as the NFL’s Super Bowl or NBA playoffs.

“We’re going to take advantage of everything Apple has,” Cue emphasized, hinting at integrations across the ecosystem. Expect F1 highlights popping up in Apple News, playlists curated for race weekends on Apple Music, interactive demos in Apple Stores, and perhaps even augmented reality features via the Apple Vision Pro for virtual track walks or pit-stop simulations. This holistic approach is designed to attract casual viewers, building on the sport’s surging U.S. popularity—fueled by Netflix’s *Drive to Survive* and three American races (Miami, Austin, Las Vegas).

F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali shares this vision, seeing the partnership as a launchpad to embed the sport in U.S. culture. At a Los Angeles press event with Cue, Domenicali declared, “Our dream would be, one day, not only waking up to follow the Super Bowl or NBA or MLS, but also F1. That’s what we’re going to do together.”

He praised the collaboration’s potential, built on the F1 movie’s success, and teased further content like a possible sequel—rumors Cue didn’t deny, saying plans are in the works to expand storytelling around the sport.

Not everyone is thrilled—some fans on social media lament the shift to another streaming service, fearing it could alienate viewers without Apple TV subscriptions (currently $9.99/month). “They are going to lose most of the American Fans,” one Facebook group post warned. Yet, Apple counters with hints of free access to select races to broaden appeal, similar to its MLS strategy. And with F1’s global ambitions—including potential worldwide expansion of the Apple deal post-2030—this could be just the start.

As the 2026 grid takes shape with new power units and aerodynamic rules, Apple’s broadcast overhaul positions U.S. fans at the forefront of a digital revolution. Whether it’s crystal-clear overtakes at 200 mph or behind-the-scenes insights via Apple’s apps, one thing’s clear: Watching F1 will never be the same. Buckle up— the future of motorsport viewing is here, and it’s powered by Cupertino.