Apple Takes the Wheel: Formula 1’s Next Big Lap in the U.S.

A five-year exclusive partnership between Apple and Formula 1 redefines how Americans will experience the world’s fastest sport.

When Formula 1 roars back onto American screens next season, it won’t be through cable or satellite. It’ll be through Apple TV, the new and exclusive home of every Grand Prix in the United States. The groundbreaking five-year agreement marks the next stage in F1’s accelerating relationship with Apple — one that already brought fans the record-breaking F1: The Movie, now officially the highest-grossing sports film ever made.

F1 Experiences

For F1, this isn’t just another broadcast deal. It’s a declaration of intent — a strategy to reshape how fans connect with the sport, and how technology can amplify its global appeal.

From the Big Screen to the Starting Grid

Apple’s connection with Formula 1 began on the silver screen. The company’s feature, F1: The Movie, directed by Joseph Kosinski (Top Gun: Maverick) and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, Brad Pitt, and Lewis Hamilton, became an instant blockbuster, topping box offices with more than $629 million worldwide.

Now, cinematic momentum shifts from theatres to television. Starting in 2026, Apple TV will broadcast every F1 session — from practice runs to Sprints and full Grand Prix weekends. And in true Apple fashion, the experience will be seamless across devices.

Select races and all practice sessions will even stream for free on the Apple TV app, giving new fans an easy way to join the action.

A Fully Integrated F1 Ecosystem

Apple isn’t stopping at streaming. The partnership will weave Formula 1 into the company’s entire ecosystem of products and apps:

  • Apple News will deliver exclusive coverage and race highlights.

  • Apple Maps will showcase circuit locations and race-week travel experiences.

  • Apple Music will curate playlists inspired by drivers and teams.

  • Apple Fitness+ will launch F1-themed workouts for fans looking to train like their racing heroes.

  • And Apple Sports, the iPhone’s live sports hub, will feature real-time updates, driver standings, and race leaderboards — all accessible from the Lock Screen.

It’s an ecosystem play that feels uniquely Apple: one part media deal, one part lifestyle integration.

“Front-Row Access for Everyone”

“We’re thrilled to expand our relationship with Formula 1 and offer Apple TV subscribers in the U.S. front-row access to one of the most exciting and fastest-growing sports on the planet,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s Senior Vice President of Services. “2026 marks a transformative new era for Formula 1, and we look forward to delivering fan-first coverage in a way that only Apple can.”

That “transformative new era” Cue mentions is no exaggeration. New teams, updated technical regulations, and a fresh generation of cars are set to redefine the competitive landscape of F1 in 2026.

For Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, the deal represents both innovation and opportunity:

“We share a vision with Apple to make this incredible sport more accessible and engaging. This partnership is about storytelling, technology, and passion — and the next five years will be something special.”

The Numbers Behind the Momentum

Formula 1’s audience in the U.S. has surged to 52 million fans, a figure that would’ve seemed impossible just a decade ago. According to the 2025 Global F1 Fan Survey, nearly half of new American fans are aged 18–24, and more than 50 per cent are women — proof that the sport’s new era is more diverse, youthful, and digital than ever.

READ MORE: McLaren Formula 1 Team Announces Groq as an Official Partner

And for Apple, the timing couldn’t be better. Since its launch in 2019, Apple TV has transformed from a niche streaming platform into a global entertainment powerhouse, home to award-winning dramas, documentaries, and live sports. With 629 wins and 2,845 nominations, Apple Originals have proven the company’s ability to merge art, technology, and storytelling.

From Silverstone to Silicon Valley

This partnership blurs the line between sport and tech, creating a platform where F1 isn’t just watched — it’s experienced. It’s about being part of a digital paddock that stretches from Silverstone to Silicon Valley, uniting fans, athletes, and innovators under one brand.

And for millions of viewers across the U.S., 2026 will mark the beginning of a new chapter — one where every roar of an engine, every pit stop, and every checkered flag comes with the sleek precision and creativity of Apple.

Streaming Soon

F1: The Movie — the film that started it all — will make its global streaming debut on Apple TV on December 12, 2025. As the cinematic spectacle that reignited America’s passion for F1 arrives on home screens, the countdown begins to a future where technology and motorsport share the same track.

Race Ahead – Share What Moves You
Vincent Kipp
Vincent Kipp

A petrol-brained knight and an explorer from birth, Vincent keeps things fresh by plunging into new depths of the social media side of high-end motorsports.

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