The 2026 Formula 1 season marks the biggest shift in American racing TV history. Apple TV is now the exclusive home of F1 in the United States—every practice session, qualifying lap, sprint race, and Grand Prix is now all in one place. If you’ve been watching on ESPN or through a cable bundle, that era is over. Here’s everything you need to know to get set up for fast F1 action.
Why’s F1 on Apple TV?
Following the massive cultural moment of Apple’s “F1” film starring Brad Pitt, Apple secured exclusive U.S. broadcast rights through 2030 in a five-year deal. The result is a viewing experience that’s genuinely different from what came before: true 4K with Dolby Vision, 5.1 surround sound, and a suite of technical features that hardcore fans have been asking for for years.
CableTV.com named Apple TV its “Best of the Best” streaming service for 2026, as we were fans of its no-frills ad-free tier and its sector-leading shareability. With Apple TV, you’ll get six simultaneous streams, which is the most of any streaming service on the market. It’s worth noting that Apple TV scored a 73% overall customer satisfaction rating in CableTV.com’s 2026 customer satisfaction survey, which places it below niche favorites like Crunchyroll (88%). The case for Apple TV isn’t that it’s beloved—it’s that it’s the most premium, no-compromise viewing environment available.
What does F1 on Apple TV cost?
An Apple TV subscription runs $12.99/mo. (or $99.00/year). That’s it, and it includes more than you might expect.
F1 TV Premium, which previously cost $79.00–$129.00 per year as a standalone subscription, is now bundled in at no extra cost for Apple TV subscribers in the U.S. That means you get every onboard camera, live telemetry, team radio, and access to F2, F3, F1 Academy, and the Porsche Supercup alongside your regular race coverage.
If you’re an Apple One subscriber, F1 access is included there too, starting at $19.95/mo. alongside Apple Music, iCloud, and other services.
Can you watch F1 for free?
Yes—to a point. Apple is offering all Free Practice sessions and select races at no cost inside the Apple TV app. No login, no credit card. It’s a smart way to sample the experience before committing.
On top of that, Apple has partnered with Tubi to host free creator-driven F1 altcasts for select races throughout the season. These feature commentary from popular racing creators aimed at newer fans and are available across every device in the US at no charge. Specific altcast dates are announced on a race-by-race basis.
What makes the Apple TV F1 viewing experience different?
4K and Dolby Vision
For the first time in the US, F1 is broadcast in full 4K with Dolby Vision HDR and 5.1 surround sound. If you have a 4K TV, the difference during qualifying is immediately noticeable.
Multiview
On Apple TV 4K, iPad, and Apple Vision Pro, you can watch up to four live feeds simultaneously. Choose from all 22 onboard driver cameras, live telemetry, a driver tracker, and pit lane feeds. Apple has also built in team presets: tap a team and both driver onboards snap into a side-by-side layout automatically.
Sky Sports commentary
Subscribers can switch to the Sky Sports broadcast feed and access the commentary team of Crofty and Brundle. Look for the audio/language settings in the player—the fan community has settled on “English Int.” as the go-to option for the full Sky Sports experience.
Apple ecosystem integration
F1 content is woven throughout Apple’s platforms. Apple Maps includes interactive track layout guides for each Grand Prix, and Apple News features a jump-in option that takes you directly from a race headline into the live stream.
CableTV.com’s F1 on Apple TV take:
- You don’t need cable. F1 has fully moved away from ESPN, ABC, and traditional cable bundles in the US. Apple TV is the only place for live race coverage.
- The Apple TV 4K box is worth it for Multiview. Users on smart TV apps have reported more limitations with the Multiview feature. If you plan to use multiple feeds regularly, Apple’s high-end hardware box handles the data load more reliably.
- Tubi altcast dates are announced on a race-by-race basis. Keep an eye on Tubi’s schedule for which specific races get the creator-commentary treatment.
F1 on Apple TV FAQ
What happened to F1 on ESPN?
ESPN's deal to broadcast F1 in the United States ended after the 2025 season. Starting with the 2026 season, Apple TV holds the exclusive US broadcast rights through 2030. You can no longer watch live F1 races on ESPN, ABC, or any traditional cable or satellite provider.
Do I need to pay extra for F1 TV Premium?
No. F1 TV Premium—which was previously sold as a standalone subscription—is now included at no extra cost with a standard Apple TV subscription ($12.99/mo.). That gives you every onboard camera, team radio, live timing, and access to support series like F2 and F3.
What devices support Multiview?
Multiview is available on Apple TV 4K (the streaming box), iPad, and Apple Vision Pro. Users on smart TV apps or older Apple TV hardware may have limited or no access to the Multiview feature, so the Apple TV 4K box is the recommended setup for the full experience.
Can I watch F1 for free?
Yes, partially. All Free Practice sessions and select races are available to stream at no cost in the Apple TV app—no subscription required. Apple has also partnered with Tubi to offer free creator-driven altcasts for select races throughout the season.
How do I get Sky Sports commentary instead of the default feed?
In the Apple TV player, open the audio/language settings and look for "English Int." This switches you to the Sky Sports broadcast with Crofty and Brundle's commentary instead of the default US feed. It's become the go-to setting for die-hard fans.
Is Apple TV worth it just for F1?
That depends on how much you watch. At $12.99/mo., Apple TV gives you F1, MLS Season Pass, Friday Night Baseball, and Apple's full original content library—including shows like "Severance" and "Murderbot." For F1 fans who also follow MLS or enjoy prestige TV, it's a strong value. For casual viewers, the free practice and Tubi altcast options are a good way to follow the season without committing. You can read more about what Apple TV offers for sports fans on CableTV.com.
CableTV.com editors created this article using original analysis and proprietary inputs, with AI tools assisting in drafting. The final content was reviewed and edited for accuracy and quality.
