Apple Announces Partnership With Formula 1 for Exclusive US Coverage

[MacRumors]

Apple and Formula 1 today announced a five-year partnership that brings all F1 races exclusively to Apple TV in the United States beginning next year.

The partnership allows Apple TV to provide comprehensive coverage of Formula 1, including all practice, qualifying, Sprint sessions, and Grands Prix. Select races and all practice sessions will also be available for free in the Apple TV app throughout the course of the season. Eddy Cue, Apple's senior vice president of Services, said:

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. 2026 marks a transformative new era for Formula 1, from new teams to new regulations and cars with the best drivers in the world, and we look forward to delivering premium and innovative fan-first coverage to our customers in a way that only Apple can.

Apple also said it plans to "amplify" the sport across Apple News, Apple Maps, Apple Music, and Apple Fitness+. The Apple Sports app will feature live updates for every qualifying, Sprint, and race for each Grand Prix across the season, along with real-time leaderboards, season driver and constructor standings, Live Activities, and widgets.

The partnership builds on Apple's relationship with Formula 1 following the success of Apple Original Films' blockbuster "F1 The Movie," which it says is the highest-grossing sports movie of all time.

Apple says that further information on production details, product enhancements, and new ways to enjoy F1 content across Apple products and services will be announced over the coming months.

Article Link: Apple Announces Partnership With Formula 1 for Exclusive US Coverage

 

[Apple-achian]

Apple please set up systems to identify and destroy any unauthorized streams!

 

[Velin]

F1 and Apple's streaming app is a good combination. They got the movie exactly right. They'll nail this too.

 

[OS X Dude]

PLEASE get the rights from Sky when they come up for renewal. Pinch Crofty, Ted and Martin and I can kiss Sky Sports goodbye.

 

[CWallace]

As long as Apple provides 4K HDR streaming like I get with F1TV, I will be content.

 

[RedWeasel]

Mother Nature will be beside herself of joy...

 

[Jdhommert]

Ok now give us immersive spatial streams for the AVP

 

[willzyx]

If they get us 4K streams with Sky commentary, this is a huge win.

 

[Hamsterhjulet]

Would love for this to come to Denmark too.. Why only U.S.?

 

[turbineseaplane]

Apple please set up systems to identify and destroy any unauthorized streams!

This is WAY beyond the purview of Apple.

 

[CWallace]

If they get us 4K streams with Sky commentary, this is a huge win.

I honestly do not see Apple paying the reported $140 million a year just to carry Sky's or F1TV's stream. I presume this will be like their MLS coverage (which I have not seen) with their own production and commentary team.

EDIT: Reading the F1 PR release, it sounds like maybe F1TV Premium will be the Apple TV offering. So as ESPN just carries SKY Sports feed, Apple TV will carry the F1TV Premium feed.

 

[CWallace]

Would love for this to come to Denmark too.. Why only U.S.?

The current deal is for the US only as that is the contract that was available (ESPN's coverage ends this year).

I could see Apple making a play for other territories when their current deals expire.

 

[Lionel_Hutz]

This is awesome news. I've been loosely following the sport and expected to jump in next year with the introduction of Cadillac. I hope a good bitrate/low compression 4K/HDR/Atmos is standard for all broadcasts.

 

[vegetassj4]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Apple Unveils the “Apple Helmet Pro Max” — Because Craig Federighi Thinks You Deserve Aerodynamic Fabulousness

CUPERTINO, California — Apple today announced the Apple Helmet Pro Max, a “revolutionary reimagining” of what a Formula 1 helmet could be if designed by people who have never actually raced a car but have definitely perfected their hair volume.

Designed under the visionary leadership of Craig Federighi, Apple’s Senior Vice President of Software Engineering and Global Lord of Luscious Locks, the Apple Helmet Pro merges high-speed aerodynamics with just enough arrogance to justify its $14,999 price tag.

“Most racing helmets focus on protection and visibility,” said Federighi, standing in front of a wind tunnel and a single spotlight. “We asked: What if it also let you FaceTime in Dolby Vision while pulling 6 Gs?”

Built from the ground up for Apple Intelligence and seemless integration into the new CarPlay Pro for F1, it gives drivers a magical new racing experience that is light years ahead of the competition. We think they will love it.

Key Features​

• VisionOS F1 Mode: Seamlessly integrates telemetry, lap times, and iMessages from your pit crew right into your peripheral vision. Siri will cheer or sigh depending on how badly you’re driving.
• AirPods Max Integration: Built-in noise cancellation adapts dynamically to drown out the sound of Lewis Hamilton passing you.
• Find My Helmet: Because nothing screams “Pro” like losing your $15,000 titanium accessory in Monaco.
• AppleCare+ (Motorsport Edition): For just $999/year, Apple will “repair” your helmet by giving you a refurbished one with someone else’s crash data still in the memory.
• Federighi Flow: A proprietary airflow system that maintains Craig’s hair volume level even at 200 mph.

 

[contacos]

Never understood where the fun is in watching cars go in a circle from the TV

 

[diego.caraballo]

Select races and all practice sessions will also be available for free in the Apple TV app

That means that you will need to pay for Apple TV + F1TV...

 

[turbineseaplane]

Never understood where the fun is in watching cars go in a circle from the TV

I've tried to get into it, and I just don't get it.

But ... I recognize we're all different, so kudos to those for whom this is super appealing!

🤷‍♂️

 

[diego.caraballo]

Never understood where the fun is in watching cars go in a circle from the TV

You are confusing F1 with Nascar 😂

 

[CWallace]

That means that you will need to pay for Apple TV + F1TV...

F1TV Premium will be part of the Apple TV subscription. Which I guess means the plan is to just carry the F1TV Premium feed?

Apple becomes broadcast partner for F1 in the United States

Formula 1 has announced a five-year partnership with Apple to become the sport’s exclusive U.S. broadcast partner from 2026, bringing together two global brands with a shared passion for innovation, excellence, and entertainment.

www.formula1.com

 

[hasanahmad]

I am hearing Apple is going all in on BlackMagic cameras inside the cars and in the broadcast camera area as well for Vision Pro viewing

 

[Michael Scrip]

Never understood where the fun is in watching cars go in a circle from the TV

Circle?

🤣

 

[StuBeck]

F1TV Premium will be part of the Apple TV subscription. Which I guess means the plan is to just carry the F1TV Premium feed?

Apple becomes broadcast partner for F1 in the United States

Formula 1 has announced a five-year partnership with Apple to become the sport’s exclusive U.S. broadcast partner from 2026, bringing together two global brands with a shared passion for innovation, excellence, and entertainment.

www.formula1.com

I hope so, F1 TV finally got good in the last few years, and another switch is unfortunate as we saw a marked decrease in quality with other racing series moving to exclusive providers. I'm fine with this if its just a marketing move over, but if they're doing a complete rebuild and removing features we are used to with F1tv, this will be disapointing.

Edit: seems this article has some misinformation. Other outlets aren’t reporting this as an exclusive agreement.
Edit2: This is why this place needs sources from the off. The link included now makes it more clear what is happening. Its still not fully exclusive as F1 TV Access is available outside of this process, but for live races it is the exclusive home in the US.

 

[NightStorm]

I honestly do not see Apple paying the reported $140 million a year just to carry Sky's or F1TV's stream. I presume this will be like their MLS coverage (which I have not seen) with their own production and commentary team.

EDIT: Reading the F1 PR release, it sounds like maybe F1TV Premium will be the Apple TV offering. So as ESPN just carries SKY Sports feed, Apple TV will carry the F1TV Premium feed.

Production and commentary is controlled and owned by MLS; Apple just has the exclusive streaming distribution rights. I honestly think they did this to allow them to "test" their servers for a larger streaming deal in the future.

 

[Cameront9]

As long as Apple provides 4K HDR streaming like I get with F1TV, I will be content.

According to the press release, f1tv isn’t going away and if you pay for an AppleTV subscription you get access to f1tv for free.


This is quite a deal!

 

[chrfr]

F1TV Premium will be part of the Apple TV subscription. Which I guess means the plan is to just carry the F1TV Premium feed?

Apple becomes broadcast partner for F1 in the United States

Formula 1 has announced a five-year partnership with Apple to become the sport’s exclusive U.S. broadcast partner from 2026, bringing together two global brands with a shared passion for innovation, excellence, and entertainment.

www.formula1.com

In the US the only way to watch F1TV is going to be via the Apple TV subscription. What I can't figure out from the press release is whether or not the full F1TV premium product will be an add-on charge to the regular Apple TV (+) subscription.