American Formula 1 fans may still be fewer in number compared to their European counterparts, but they are about to receive a major upgrade in how they experience the sport. Apple has unveiled a series of innovations that promise to revolutionize live sports broadcasting in the United States, with Formula 1 at the center of its strategy.
F1 arrives on Apple TV
First came the production and distribution of the Formula 1-themed movie starring Brad Pitt, which in mid-March will compete during awards season. Then, last October, came potentially groundbreaking news for the global television market: Apple secured exclusive rights to broadcast Formula 1 live in the United States. The already close relationship between the American tech giant and the world of Grand Prix racing has now grown even stronger, with the clear objective of elevating the live viewing experience to a new level.
All live sessions, highlights, interviews and in-depth coverage of the 2026 Formula 1 World Championship will be available through the Apple TV app for US subscribers. There will not be a separate dedicated app; instead, Apple has deliberately chosen to centralize everything – Formula 1, other live sports events, films and TV series – within a single platform.
Multiview: a premium experience for US fans
American audiences will benefit from an unprecedented level of customization. Beyond 4K streaming technology, the real game changer is “Multiview,” which allows users to split their screen into up to four sections. Viewers can choose between the traditional international broadcast feed, onboard cameras from all 22 cars on track, the live timing monitor and the live tracker – the circuit map with moving dots showing each driver’s position in real time.
This layout is designed to fully immerse fans in the on-track action, while also being simplified through preset viewing options. For example, alongside the main international feed, users can automatically display onboard footage from the top three drivers in the standings, with updates in case of position changes. Alternatively, fans can select a specific team from the Apple TV “F1” homepage and watch onboard footage from both drivers of that team, displayed next to the primary broadcast feed.
These customization features will be available across all devices, including smartphones, tablets, PCs, web browsers and smart TVs. Owners of the Apple Vision Pro headset will benefit even further, with the ability to divide their field of vision into five sections: one larger central view and two smaller panels on both the right and left sides, creating an even more immersive virtual experience.
The agreement with Netflix: Drive to Survive and live Grands Prix
The United States has recorded the fastest growth in F1 viewership in recent years. While total numbers are still smaller compared to Europe, the growth rate has been impressive. Much of this expansion is credited to Drive to Survive, the Netflix docuseries whose eighth season debuts today. The show has helped general audiences understand the personalities and storylines that dominate the paddock, paving the way for the commercial success of the upcoming film starring Brad Pitt.
For this reason, Apple has reached an agreement with Netflix to offer Drive to Survive to its US subscribers at no additional cost. In exchange, the Cupertino-based company will allow the streaming giant to broadcast the Canadian Grand Prix live and free of charge in the United States on May 24. It is not ruled out that additional events could also be made available for free live streaming in the future.
Apple’s ecosystem pays tribute to Formula 1
The integration of Formula 1 extends across the entire Apple ecosystem. On Apple Sports, new features include live standings updates and notifications alerting users when sessions are about to begin. Widgets displaying real-time results can also be integrated into the home screens of iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and Mac devices.
Apple News will introduce a dedicated Formula 1 section featuring articles from leading media outlets covering the Grand Prix season. On Apple Music, fans will be able to access free F1 radio commentary, along with playlists featuring songs selected and listened to by drivers before heading out on track.
Apple Podcasts will also feature a new F1 section grouping together major shows dedicated to the pinnacle of motorsport. At the time of writing, the section is already available in Italy, albeit not prominently displayed and currently featuring only English-language content. There is hope that more localized podcasts will be added in the near future.
Finally, Apple Maps offers a special tribute to Formula 1 by reproducing F1 circuits with detailed information on grandstands and corners. Some tracks even feature 3D reconstructions of key structures. For example, the Melbourne pit building is displayed in three dimensions, complete with a red Formula 1 car positioned in the pit lane.
With exclusive live rights, advanced Multiview technology, cross-platform integration and strategic partnerships, Apple is clearly aiming to redefine how Formula 1 is experienced in the United States. For American fans, a new era of immersive and highly personalized F1 coverage is about to begin.
Leave a Reply