According to 9to5Mac, Apple has released the first preview of its upcoming exclusive Formula 1 streaming service, set to begin with the 2026 season on March 6-8. The five-year deal means all practice, qualifying, sprint, and Grand Prix sessions will stream at no extra charge with a standard Apple TV+ subscription, which currently costs $12.99 monthly or $99 annually. Key features shown include live driver onboard cameras and support for Multiview on compatible devices like Apple TV boxes, iPad, and Vision Pro. Furthermore, subscribers will be able to use their Apple TV account to log into the full F1.TV service, a feature that previously required a separate paid subscription. This effectively makes the premium F1.TV experience a free perk for Apple TV+ customers.
The stakes for Apple
This is a huge bet for Apple. They’re not just buying streaming rights; they’re buying cultural relevance in the live sports arena. F1’s U.S. audience has exploded in recent years, and Apple is banking on that momentum to drive subscriptions in a way that even the MLB or MLS deals haven’t. The genius move is bundling F1.TV access. Hardcore fans who already paid for that service now have a compelling reason to switch to Apple TV+, and casual fans get a gateway into the sport’s deepest data and camera feeds. It’s a subscriber acquisition and retention play wrapped in a very slick, very Apple package. But can one sport, even a global giant like F1, move the needle enough? That’s the billion-dollar question.
What it means for fans
For U.S. fans, this is basically a best-case scenario. You’re losing the ESPN broadcasts, sure, but you’re gaining a dedicated, ad-free stream with more camera control and integrated access to the sport’s archival and technical content. The Multiview feature is a game-changer for the dedicated viewer who wants to watch the battle for P7 while also tracking the leaders. And let’s be honest, not having to manage another standalone $80/year subscription for F1.TV is a genuine win. The only potential hiccup? Device compatibility. If you’re not in the Apple ecosystem, you’re watching on a browser or a smart TV app, which might not get all the fancy features like Multiview. But overall, the value proposition just got a lot stronger.
The bigger picture
Look, this is another front in the streaming sports war. Apple, Amazon, Netflix, YouTube—they’re all circling traditional sports broadcasting, picking off lucrative properties. Apple’s strategy seems clear: use premium, globally popular sports to make Apple TV+ an indispensable bundle component. It’s not about selling you on Severance; it’s about making the entire Apple One bundle feel essential. For the broader market, it continues the fragmentation trend, but with a twist. Instead of paying for F1.TV *and* a streaming service, you’re consolidating. In that sense, Apple might be simplifying the chaos it helped create. Now we wait to see those “production details” and “product enhancements” they’ve teased. A dedicated spatial video stream for Apple Vision Pro? It seems almost inevitable.
How to watch
If you’re ready for the 2026 season, the service will live inside the Apple TV app. The first race weekend is March 6-8, 2026, but the F1 channel will likely go live earlier with preseason content. You can sign up for Apple TV+ here. And if you want a sneak peek at the interface, Apple released a first-look video on social media. It’s a bold new era for F1 coverage, and for Apple’s ambitions in live sports. Buckle up.
