Following the successful theatrical release of "F1 The Movie" starring Brad Pitt, Apple is deepening its involvement with Formula 1. A new five-year partnership between Apple and Formula 1 will bring all F1 races exclusively to Apple TV in the United States, beginning in 2026. This arrangement excludes separate linear rights sales for F1 content.
Apple TV (formerly Apple TV+) will provide extensive coverage, including all practice sessions, qualifying, sprint sessions, and Grands Prix for paid subscribers. Selected races and practice sessions will also be available for free via the Apple TV app throughout the season. While unconfirmed by the company, reports suggest Apple invested $750 million in this agreement. The inclusion of commercials in the coverage remains unclear.
Beyond broadcasting, Apple will integrate Formula 1 content across various platforms such as Apple News, Apple Maps, Apple Music, and Apple Fitness+. The free Apple Sports app for iPhone will offer live updates for every qualifying, sprint, and race, featuring real-time leaderboards, standings, live activities, and a dedicated iPhone home screen widget. F1 TV Premium will remain available in the US via Apple TV, free for existing subscribers.
“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,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of services. “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.”
Stefano Domenicali, Formula 1’s president and CEO, stated, “This is an incredibly exciting partnership for Apple and the whole of Formula 1 that will ensure we can continue to maximize our growth potential in the U.S. with the right content and innovative distribution channels. We are no strangers to each other, having spent the past three years working together to create ‘F1 The Movie,’ which has already proven to be a huge hit around the world. We have a shared vision to bring this amazing sport to our fans in the U.S. and entice new fans through live broadcasts, engaging content, and a year-round approach to keep them hooked. I want to thank Tim Cook, Eddy Cue, and the entire Apple team for their vision and passionate approach to delivering this partnership, and we are looking forward to the next five years together.”
Further details about production, product enhancements, and fan access to F1 content on Apple products will be announced soon. "F1 The Movie" will premiere on Apple TV on December 12, 2025, following its successful theatrical run. The film, produced by Apple Studios, was directed and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, Kosinski, seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton, Pitt, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner and Chad Oman.
Formula 1 is experiencing rapid global growth, with a significant US fanbase. The 2025 Global F1 Fan Survey indicates that many new US fans are young and female. This deal aligns with the trend of sports organizations moving content to streaming platforms, aiming to attract subscribers with exclusive live events.