Could Apple Demo Immersive F1 on Vision Pro at Its March 4 Event?

[MacRumors]

Apple's upcoming March 4 media event could include a demo of immersive Formula 1 content on Apple Vision Pro, Daring Fireball's John Gruber has suggested.

The timing appears to be what's sparked the idea. The 2026 F1 season kicks off in Australia on March 8, just four days after the "Apple Experience" set to be held in New York, London, and Shanghai.

Apple became the exclusive U.S. broadcast partner for Formula 1 last October, and the company has already been experimenting with live immersive sports on Vision Pro with a limited slate of Los Angeles Lakers games this season. If Apple has plans to stream F1 races live on Vision Pro with some level of immersion, March 4 would likely be a great opportunity to show it off to the press.

To be clear, there are no little birdies tweeting into Gruber's ear on this one – he's quick to acknowledge this is pure speculation shared with him by a reader. "Could just be a total coincidence that the Formula 1 season is starting the weekend after this event," he says. "But it seems worth noting."

Apple has said that further details on production and "new ways to enjoy F1 content" across its products will be shared in the coming months. March 4 could fit that timeline nicely, or it could of course be nothing at all.

Apple is widely expected to unveil several new products in the near future, including the iPhone 17e, MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, an eighth-generation iPad Air, and a 12th-generation iPad. A refreshed Studio Display and an all-new low-cost MacBook powered by the A18 chip are also possible, alongside updates to the Apple TV and HomePod mini.

The "Apple Experience" could include announcements for some of these products, alongside hands-on opportunities for media with the new devices around the world. The event is set to begin at 9:00 a.m. ET on March 4, 2026.

Article Link: Could Apple Demo Immersive F1 on Vision Pro at Its March 4 Event?

 

[macintologist]

Link to Gruber’s post?

 

[clg82]

I'd prefer they preview actual bug fixes and enhancements. Imagine their up there and they show you how your apps when swiping between screens used to disappear, and now they don't. lol

 

[MayaUser]

I'd prefer they preview actual bug fixes and enhancements. Imagine their up there and they show you how your apps when swiping between screens used to disappear, and now they don't. lol

that should be an WWDC event

 

[-BigMac-]

As a lifetime F1 fan and a user of Apple since 2003- I do not know one single person who owns a Vision Pro.

Most people that I know - who range all the way from casual workers, to government employees, to Executives and CEOs of multi million dollar companies.. wouldn't even KNOW what a "Vision Pro" is - if I just said the product name like that.

I can speak only to my social circle, and to a smaller extent - the market in south-east Australia - the product has absolutely zero traction in our society outside of extremely niche employment.

And the people who are F1 fans, that care enough about the Vision Pro and would decide to spend $5k on it? They would rather be at the track - watching it live - for one fifth of the price of a Vision Pro.

Just like all the people I know - I just personally don't see value in the product - irrespective of how many F1 angles it can stream at once

 

[iZac]

Imagine in-car VR coverage of the event. It would need to come with a nausea warning!

 

[klasma]

Immersive F1 on Vision Pro

Spatial Commuting

 

[boswald]

As a lifetime F1 fan and a user of Apple since 2003- I do not know one single person who owns a Vision Pro.

Most people that I know - who range all the way from casual workers, to government employees, to Executives and CEOs of multi million dollar companies.. wouldn't even KNOW what a "Vision Pro" is - if I just said the product name like that.

I can speak only to my social circle, and to a smaller extent - the market in south-east Australia - the product has absolutely zero traction in our society outside of extremely niche employment.

And the people who are F1 fans, that care enough about the Vision Pro and would decide to spend $5k on it? They would rather be at the track - watching it live - for one fifth of the price of a Vision Pro.

Just like all the people I know - I just personally don't see value in the product - irrespective of how many F1 angles it can stream at once

I don't know any CEOs or executives, but speaking as a consumer, I can tell you I have no interest in one, my spouse doesn't, and neither do all my friends. I may be poor, but some of the people I know are not, and even they said it isn't worth the money. I seriously think the product was released out of hubris; to see who is dumb enough to buy one. I don't think Apple really expected it to take off considering the only person ever to be pictured with one was Tim. It really feels like they put bait at the end of a hook to see which sucker will chomp at the bit.

 

[xDKP]

As a lifetime F1 fan and a user of Apple since 2003- I do not know one single person who owns a Vision Pro.

Most people that I know - who range all the way from casual workers, to government employees, to Executives and CEOs of multi million dollar companies.. wouldn't even KNOW what a "Vision Pro" is - if I just said the product name like that.

I can speak only to my social circle, and to a smaller extent - the market in south-east Australia - the product has absolutely zero traction in our society outside of extremely niche employment.

And the people who are F1 fans, that care enough about the Vision Pro and would decide to spend $5k on it? They would rather be at the track - watching it live - for one fifth of the price of a Vision Pro.

Just like all the people I know - I just personally don't see value in the product - irrespective of how many F1 angles it can stream at once

Same here - also die hard F1 fan - have been to several live races and I would say I am pretty invested in the Apple eco-system - Everything from iPads, iPhones, all four in our household with Apple Watches etc.

I also don't know a single person with a Vision Pro and don't even know a single person that has tested one or had interest in one

 

[xizdun]

Called it! Fully expected Apple to bring the Lapz-type app experience in-house. Can’t wait! 🏎️

 

[e-coli]

Yes. All the promo videos for F1 on Apple TV are done in a gaming engine rather than a 3D program. They’ve clearly set up a real-time render system for F1. That makes no sense for promo video creation, but makes a ton of sense for experiential race rendering.

 

[Daxmelbourne]

Seriously Apple. Read the room. Who cares? The 6 people with a Vision Pro? How about some innovation in consumer technology. You’ve been back-foot for several years now. Aging tech like Apple TV, a Siri that’s less useful than it was in 2013, glass effects for the sake of a new image that wasn’t needed. As a long-time Apple fan, I’m so over you. Strongly suspect I’ll be going elsewhere for a new mobile later this year, and that makes me sad but also excited to try new things not a camera increment.

 

[tomtad]

Seriously Apple. Read the room. Who cares? The 6 people with a Vision Pro? How about some innovation in consumer technology. You’ve been back-foot for several years now. Aging tech like Apple TV, a Siri that’s less useful than it was in 2013, glass effects for the sake of a new image that wasn’t needed. As a long-time Apple fan, I’m so over you. Strongly suspect I’ll be going elsewhere for a new mobile later this year, and that makes me sad but also excited to try new things not a camera increment.

Agreed, in hindsight Vision Pro was a mistake and should have been nixed before it was launched like the Apple car was.

 

[PBG4 Dude]

Guess I’m in the minority but if they bring immersive F1 racing I’ll definitely check it out. The Lakers immersive game felt like the future, and foveated streaming is only going to make it better.

 

[Seanm87]

Cool idea but highly doubt it will shift more units.

 

[Tomboman]

I thought it is only available in the U.S.? So Shanghai and London wouldn't make too much sense. But why not, could be a cool opportunity.

 

[StuBeck]

I thought it is only available in the U.S.? So Shanghai and London wouldn't make too much sense. But why not, could be a cool opportunity.

Their agreement is only for the US, but they are just bundling in an service, so they could offer this worldwide easily.

While anything with VR here would be neat, there are severe limitations of what they can actually show based on this seasons cameras. Anything they would do would essentially be a room with screens in it that you could select what you wanted to see, but not the killer app they need.

 

[Moo]

As an F1 fan who also owns and uses an AVP daily, I can't wait!

Let me lend some perspective. There was an app that spent it's entire life cycle in beta for the AVP called Lapz (search youtube for Lapz F1). I had access to it for over a year through TestFlight and I have to tell you, it was the best thing on my AVP. Again, rather than trying to describe it, look up videos of it to understand what it does. You have a movie screen size video of the broadcast race but then you have a 3D track on the floor or on the table where you can see the whole track and what cars are where...you just have to see it to know how insanely good it was and all the things it let you see and do. Lapz was eventually shut down for not having the rights to the broadcast and as of this year, it totally stopped working.

Since the day it was announced that Apple had the broadcast rights to F1, I have been waiting and checking daily for an announcement about their version of Lapz. The team at Lapz have gone silent for months and even looking up information yields nothing. I have asked Chat GPT multiple time if perhaps Apple bought them or are collaborating with them to no avail.

To those who think this is pointless, I 100% disagree with you. I am on a group chat with five other F1 fans and if Apple does this as well or better than the Lapz beta, two other friends of mine will purchase AVPs. If apple implements some sort of group viewing, it will be epic for our group who live all over the US. I envision sports bars with ten AVPs where fans can rent and watch the race together. As an F1 fan, you really just need to have experienced Lapz to understand the potential.

IF Apple does this, I think they will sell a bunch more AVPs just as I think if there are more spatial NBA games (more teams) they will sell even more.

 

[ryanmp]

Called it! Fully expected Apple to bring the Lapz-type app experience in-house. Can’t wait! 🏎️

Lapz is the most amazing sports viewing experience I have ever seen. I use for much of my F1 viewing on AVP these days.

"Immersive F1 VR" through a single video feed, no thanks. Lapz is immersive in the sense of the multi-feed/streams you can place around your viewing area.

 

[Agent007]

I remember in about 2001 when part of the HDTV hype was "you can be watching a baseball game and choose different camera angles"

Idk if that's a common option in HDTV sportscasts but I've never seen anyone use it. This reminds me of that.

 

[Moo]

Their agreement is only for the US, but they are just bundling in an service, so they could offer this worldwide easily.

While anything with VR here would be neat, there are severe limitations of what they can actually show based on this seasons cameras. Anything they would do would essentially be a room with screens in it that you could select what you wanted to see, but not the killer app they need.

 

[Moo]

If you want to know what I'm hoping for check this video out.

 

[Kar98]

Is this something anybody has asked for, ever?

 

[OS X Dude]

Please buy the UK rights when they come up for sale again, bring Sky's commentators and put another big nail in their coffin.

 

[burgman]

As an F1 fan who also owns and uses an AVP daily, I can't wait!

Let me lend some perspective. There was an app that spent it's entire life cycle in beta for the AVP called Lapz (search youtube for Lapz F1). I had access to it for over a year through TestFlight and I have to tell you, it was the best thing on my AVP. Again, rather than trying to describe it, look up videos of it to understand what it does. You have a movie screen size video of the broadcast race but then you have a 3D track on the floor or on the table where you can see the whole track and what cars are where...you just have to see it to know how insanely good it was and all the things it let you see and do. Lapz was eventually shut down for not having the rights to the broadcast and as of this year, it totally stopped working.

Since the day it was announced that Apple had the broadcast rights to F1, I have been waiting and checking daily for an announcement about their version of Lapz. The team at Lapz have gone silent for months and even looking up information yields nothing. I have asked Chat GPT multiple time if perhaps Apple bought them or are collaborating with them to no avail.

To those who think this is pointless, I 100% disagree with you. I am on a group chat with five other F1 fans and if Apple does this as well or better than the Lapz beta, two other friends of mine will purchase AVPs. If apple implements some sort of group viewing, it will be epic for our group who live all over the US. I envision sports bars with ten AVPs where fans can rent and watch the race together. As an F1 fan, you really just need to have experienced Lapz to understand the potential.

IF Apple does this, I think they will sell a bunch more AVPs just as I think if there are more spatial NBA games (more teams) they will sell even more.

I generally ignore most commenters on MR who bash products or Apple because many are N=1 experiences and usually overdramatic.
Apple could showcase this great new experience on a new generation cheaper AVP that has been talked about