Streaming at 200 MPH: Apple’s F1 Partnership Redefines Sports Entertainment

By DaMarko Webster

In a move that fuses speed, technology, and storytelling, Apple and Formula 1® have officially announced a five-year partnership that will bring every Grand Prix, qualifying session, and sprint race exclusively to Apple TV in the United States beginning next year. The landmark deal builds upon Apple’s growing relationship with F1, following the record-shattering success of F1 The Movie—Apple Original Films’ adrenaline-charged blockbuster that became the highest-grossing sports film of all time.

The collaboration signals more than a simple broadcast rights agreement; it’s the start of a new media era where innovation meets fan obsession. With Apple TV delivering full coverage of every race weekend—including practice sessions available for free within the Apple TV app—viewers will experience F1 through a digital lens only Apple could craft. The experience will extend far beyond live racing: Apple News, Apple Maps, Apple Music, and even Apple Fitness+ will bring the energy of the grid to every corner of its ecosystem. Through Apple Sports, fans will get live race updates, leaderboard tracking, and widgets that keep the Grand Prix pulsing right on the iPhone Lock Screen.

F1 TV Premium—the league’s premier content hub—will also integrate directly with Apple TV, remaining free for current subscribers but streamlined for a seamless Apple experience. It’s a move that blurs the line between sport and software, echoing Apple’s approach to design: elegant, intuitive, and built around the user.

“We’re thrilled to expand our relationship with Formula 1 and offer Apple TV subscribers front-row access to one of the fastest-growing sports on the planet,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Services. “2026 marks a transformative new era for Formula 1—from new teams and regulations to cars piloted by the best drivers in the world—and we look forward to delivering fan-first coverage in a way that only Apple can.”

F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali echoed the sentiment, framing the partnership as a pivotal step in the sport’s evolution.

“We’ve spent the past three years collaborating on F1 The Movie, which has already proven to be a massive global hit,” he said. “This deal takes our shared vision even further, bringing live races and exclusive content to fans across the U.S., and attracting new audiences who crave innovation and authenticity.”

The timing is perfect. Formula 1’s American fanbase has exploded—now reaching 52 million—with nearly half of new fans aged 18–24 and over half identifying as female. It’s a demographic shift Apple understands well: young, diverse, tech-savvy, and experience-driven.

Meanwhile, F1 The Movie continues to dominate the cultural conversation ahead of its global streaming debut on Apple TV on December 12, 2025. Directed and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and Joseph Kosinski (Top Gun: Maverick), alongside Lewis Hamilton and Brad Pitt, the film roared to more than $629 million at the box office—an unprecedented feat for a sports film. Critics hailed it as “the most authentic racing feature ever made,” while audiences rewarded it with a 97% approval score on Rotten Tomatoes.

With Apple Studios at the wheel and Formula 1 accelerating into a new digital age, this partnership feels less like a broadcast deal and more like a cultural merger. Apple isn’t just streaming the race—it’s redesigning how fans experience the sport, from the roar of the engines to the rhythm of every pit stop.

The grid is ready. The lights are counting down. And next year, when they go out, Apple TV will officially take the pole position in the race to define the future of sports entertainment.