Formula One (F1) racing is entering an exciting new era for US viewers with its 2026 season set to launch a five-year broadcast partnership with Apple TV. This marks a significant shift in how fans in the United States will experience the sport, as Apple leverages its extensive app ecosystem to provide an immersive and feature-rich viewing experience. As the season unfolds, attention will be focused on some of the sport’s biggest names, including McLaren’s rising star and reigning champion Lando Norris, Mercedes’ talented George Russell, Red Bull’s dominant Max Verstappen, and the formidable duo of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc representing Ferrari. With such a competitive lineup, fans and pundits alike are eager to see who will emerge as the dominant force this year.
Adding to the excitement is the debut of Cadillac as a newcomer to the global F1 grid. The iconic American automotive brand is entering the sport with its own team, bringing high-profile drivers like Valtteri Bottas and Sergio “Checo” Perez into the fold. Cadillac’s entry is marked by a striking metallic black-and-white car powered by Ferrari technology, signaling a bold move into the elite world of Formula One racing. This season also introduces new regulations and innovations in technology that promise to change the dynamics on the track, enhancing the spectacle for fans and competitors alike.
The 2026 F1 calendar features races across more than a dozen countries worldwide, including traditional venues in Spain, the United Kingdom, Japan, and the United States. The season kicks off with the Australian Grand Prix, a staple event that typically draws global attention. However, this year’s schedule is shadowed by heightened safety concerns due to ongoing geopolitical tensions, particularly the conflict in the Middle East. Two important races, the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix slated for April, have prompted the sport’s governing body, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), to stress safety as a paramount consideration. FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem addressed these concerns in a statement on Instagram, emphasizing that the organization is closely monitoring developments and will prioritize the well-being of all involved in decisions about upcoming events, including the World Endurance Championship.
For fans eager to follow the season, Apple TV offers a comprehensive streaming service that will broadcast every race live in the United States. Beyond Apple TV, the company plans to expand the availability of F1 content through partnerships with other streaming platforms such as Netflix, Prime Video, and Tubi, although specifics are still being finalized. Notably, Netflix subscribers in the US will have access to the Canadian Grand Prix starting May 22. Additionally, races will be available on F1 TV Pro, a dedicated streaming platform included at no extra cost with Apple TV subscriptions. This ensures fans have multiple avenues to catch all the action throughout the season.
The Apple TV app itself features a dedicated Formula One hub designed to enhance the fan experience. Upon opening the app, users can easily follow F1 to receive the latest news, updates, and schedules. The hub organizes content into well-structured sections, including live sprints, warm-ups, practice sessions, and the main races, complete with air dates for live events. A “Continue Watching” row automatically updates with upcoming races, helping fans keep track of their viewing progress. The hub also includes curated rows for each Grand Prix round, where viewers can catch up on highlights, recaps, and behind-the-scenes footage to deepen their connection with the sport. UK-based Sky Sports F1 broadcasts are also integrated, providing a familiar viewing experience for fans who enjoy the British coverage style.
One of the standout features of the Apple TV F1 offering is the ability to choose from an impressive array of 30 different live feeds during races. Viewers can switch between the main broadcast, detailed driver data, driver trackers, and even in-car cameras, allowing them to experience the race from the perspective of top drivers like Hamilton, Norris, and Leclerc. This level of immersion is further enhanced by the multiview functionality, which lets fans watch up to four screens simultaneously on Apple TV, with presets available for popular team views such as Mercedes. Users can customize their multiview layout by adding additional feeds, and those watching via Apple’s Vision Pro headset can enjoy up to five screens at once, creating a truly personalized and engaging viewing environment.
In addition to live streaming, Apple’s broader ecosystem supports F1 fans throughout the season. The Apple Sports app will provide real-time stats and updates