Apple TV is now the exclusive U.S. broadcast partner for Formula 1. The five-year deal, announced October 17, 2025, began with the 2026 season and includes every Grand Prix, practice session, qualifying session, Sprint session, replay and related coverage for Apple TV subscribers in the United States.
That does not mean every piece of F1 content is paywalled, nor does it mean Apple controls Formula 1 rights worldwide. Free practice, selected race weekends, Tubi alternate broadcasts and some theatrical screenings remain available under limited conditions.
What Apple’s F1 exclusivity actually means
Formula 1 and Apple describe the agreement as an exclusive U.S. broadcast partnership. Apple TV became F1’s new U.S. home with the 2026 season, rather than serving only as an optional streaming outlet alongside ESPN.
The agreement lasts five years and applies to the United States. It does not replace the television or streaming rights arrangements in other countries. International viewers must continue to use the broadcaster or service authorized in their own market.
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Apple’s 2026 coverage began with the Australian Grand Prix in March. Therefore, reports saying F1 “will come” to Apple TV are describing the original 2025 announcement, not the current situation.
What you can watch on Apple TV
For U.S. subscribers, Apple says its F1 coverage includes:
- Free Practice sessions
- Qualifying
- Sprint sessions
- Every Grand Prix race
- Live coverage and on-demand replays
- Highlights and condensed programs
- Driver and team interviews
- Press conferences and additional F1 programming
Apple also promotes features including full replays, highlights, “Race in 30,” onboard cameras, driver-tracker and data feeds, podium feeds, Multiview and 4K streaming where supported. Availability can depend on the device, operating system, display, internet connection and the particular feed.
The official Apple F1 page is the best place to check the current schedule, event availability and compatibility details.
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Does every F1 viewer need to pay?
No. Apple’s current F1 information says every practice session is available without a subscription, and selected race weekends may also be offered free in the Apple TV app. Those exceptions do not make the full season free: regular live Grand Prix coverage requires an Apple TV subscription.
The standard U.S. price shown by Apple on August 16–18, 2026, was $12.99 per month. New subscribers may receive a seven-day free trial. Apple also lists a limited-time three-month offer for eligible purchasers of a new iPhone, iPad, Apple TV or Mac.
Trials and hardware promotions can change, so check the offer shown at signup. If you only want to test the service, cancel before the trial converts to a paid subscription.
Apple TV is also included in Apple One. That can make sense for someone who already pays for Apple services such as Apple Music, iCloud+ or Apple Arcade, but it is not a special F1-only discount. Apple says a subscription can be shared with up to five family members under its Family Sharing terms.
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Apple TV is not just the Apple TV box
“Apple TV” can mean the Apple TV subscription, the Apple TV app or the Apple TV 4K streaming device. They are different things.
You do not need an Apple TV 4K box to watch F1. Apple lists support for:
- iPhone and iPad
- Mac
- Apple TV 4K
- Apple Vision Pro
- Supported Samsung, LG, Sony, VIZIO, TCL and other smart TVs
- Roku
- Amazon Fire TV
- Chromecast with Google TV
- PlayStation and Xbox
- A web browser at tv.apple.com
For the relevant Apple-device F1 experience, Apple’s dedicated compatibility information lists requirements including iOS 26.2 or later, tvOS 26.2 or later and macOS Tahoe 26.2 or later. An older television may support the Apple TV app generally but not every F1 feature.
Installing the app does not mean you already have a subscription. Content rented or purchased through the app, and unrelated third-party channel subscriptions, are not automatically included either.
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What happens to F1 TV?
F1 TV has not simply disappeared. Under the U.S. arrangement, Apple says U.S. Apple TV subscribers receive F1 TV Premium at no additional cost. Subscribers can link their Apple Account to use the F1 TV app and website, subject to the current instructions on Apple’s F1 page.
That companion experience is aimed at fans who want more than the main broadcast, including driver onboard cameras, telemetry, the driver tracker, team radio, podium feeds and other data-oriented views. Apple and Formula 1 also say F2, F3, F1 Academy and Porsche Supercup events can be accessed through the F1 TV app on Apple devices using an Apple TV subscription.
For U.S. viewers, F1 TV should not be treated as a separate substitute for Apple TV’s live Formula 1 rights unless the current official terms explicitly say otherwise. The practical route is Apple TV first, followed by account linking for the included Premium features.
What happened to ESPN?
ESPN previously carried U.S. Formula 1 coverage, including races since 2018. Apple’s deal replaced ESPN as the principal U.S. rights holder for the covered period beginning with the 2026 season. That does not mean ESPN ceased all F1-related programming everywhere or lost F1 rights in every international market.
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The Associated Press reported that ESPN had paid nearly $90 million for a three-year extension signed in 2022. The transition is therefore a significant change for viewers who previously received races through a traditional television package or ESPN-related streaming access.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What does “exclusive” mean if Tubi and IMAX also show F1?
Apple remains the official U.S. broadcaster for the main F1 rights, but exclusivity has limited exceptions and complementary presentations.
- Tubi: Tubi is carrying free, ad-supported alternate broadcasts for multiple 2026 races. These are creator-hosted presentations, not necessarily duplicates of Apple TV’s primary commentary and full feature set. Race selection and availability can change; check the current Tubi schedule.
- IMAX: Selected 2026 races are being shown at participating U.S. theaters. This is a ticketed, event-style alternative rather than a replacement for a full-season home subscription. See IMAX’s F1 Live page for participating locations and events.
- Free Apple TV events: Apple can make selected practice sessions or race weekends available without a subscription, but free availability is event-specific.
In short, “exclusive” means Apple holds the principal U.S. F1 broadcast arrangement; it does not mean no alternate presentation or promotional free access can exist.
Which viewing option fits you?
| Viewer | Most practical choice | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Full-season fan | Apple TV | Costs $12.99 per month, but provides the complete live schedule, replays and primary presentation. |
| Occasional viewer | Free practice, selected free weekends or Tubi | Coverage, commentary, sessions and replay access may be limited. |
| Existing Apple One customer | Use the included Apple TV service | Apple One is worthwhile mainly when its other services are useful too. |
| F1 TV power user | Apple TV plus linked F1 TV Premium | U.S. live access now depends on the Apple arrangement rather than a presumed standalone F1 TV subscription. |
| Non-U.S. viewer | Your market’s authorized F1 broadcaster | The Apple deal described here is U.S.-only. |
| Viewer with an older setup | Check Apple’s device and software list before subscribing | The app may work while newer F1 features or feeds do not. |
Common problems to check first
- Wrong region: Rights are determined by country and account or device location. A non-U.S. account or travel situation may show different programming.
- Old software: Update compatible devices to the versions Apple lists for the full F1 experience.
- App versus subscription confusion: An Apple TV app on a smart television is not proof that an Apple TV subscription is active.
- F1 TV linking: Use Apple’s current account-linking instructions rather than relying on an old menu path.
- 4K expectations: 4K requires a compatible source, device, display and connection. It should not be assumed for every screen or feed.
- VPNs and travel: A VPN is not a guaranteed or necessarily lawful way to bypass regional rights. Availability follows the applicable service terms and local rights.
What we know—and what remains unproven
The partnership’s term, U.S. scope, coverage promises, price and announced viewing features come from Apple and Formula 1. They establish what the service is intended to provide, but they do not independently prove audience size or commercial success.
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For viewers, the clearest conclusion is simpler: if you want every U.S. F1 race and session at home, Apple TV is the required mainstream option. If you watch only occasionally, check the free Apple schedule and Tubi’s alternate broadcasts before paying for a full month.
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