How To Watch Formula One in the US
Formula One racing has a new TV home for the 2026 World Championship. Here's everything you need to know about streaming the grid exclusively on Apple TV.
Anyone looking to watch Formula One in the U.S. this season needs to rethink their live TV strategy. Apple secured an exclusive five-year broadcast deal starting with the 2026 season, ripping coverage away from ESPN and completely changing how fans tune in.
The era of scrambling for a traditional cable channel before lights out is officially over. But while shifting gears is a bit of a hassle, the upside is huge. Apple TV is now the sole gateway to every Formula One race and F1 TV Premium access, giving you everything the league has to offer in one subscription.
Between new aero regulations and a chaotic driver market, this season is wildly unpredictable. With so much changing on and off the grid, I’ll walk you through your new race-day TV setup. Grab your device, check your internet speeds, and let’s get you ready for the formation lap.
What channel is Formula One on?
You can watch every Formula One race, qualifying session, and practice on Apple TV in the U.S. The platform even gives you full control over your viewing experience, allowing you to choose between the official F1 TV broadcast or the familiar Sky Sports feed that used to air on ESPN.
This season also features a unique twist thanks to a rare cross-platform partnership with Netflix. To celebrate the new era of F1 streaming, the Canadian Grand Prix will air live on both Apple TV and Netflix. In return, Apple TV users can now also stream the eighth season of “Drive to Survive.”
What is the 2025 Formula One schedule?
The 2026 FIA Formula One World Championship spans five continents, bringing 24 high-speed races to a mix of historic circuits and modern venues. I’m particularly looking forward to the inaugural Madrid Grand Prix, which introduces a technical street circuit built around the IFEMA Exhibition Centre.
This year also sees the Canadian Grand Prix shift to a May slot to improve the season’s geographical flow. Meanwhile, the iconic Imola circuit officially drops off the calendar to make room for the sport’s global expansion.
Hit the button below to view the complete 2026 F1 and F2 TV schedules.
Best viewing setup for watching Formula One
The shift to Apple TV is a massive deal for American racing fans. Normally, this is the part of the guide where I break down my top provider recommendations and compare TV plans. But since Apple has the exclusive rights to every Formula One race this season, the old broadcasting playbook is completely out the window.
Instead of letting you get lost on race day, I’m going to outline exactly what F1 coverage Apple TV actually gets you. Between the streamlined interface and the premium add-ons, your Sunday morning setup is getting a massive upgrade.
The Apple TV streaming advantage
At its core, an Apple TV subscription ($12.99/mo.) simplifies your entire race weekend. This single-platform benefit means the days of hunting through a traditional TV guide for Free Practice 2 are over. The app features a dedicated F1 hub that outlines the entire race calendar, making it incredibly easy to plan ahead for every practice, qualifier, and Grand Prix.
Beyond the convenience, the app experience itself is a major visual upgrade from traditional cable and even the ESPN app. As I mentioned earlier, having both the F1 TV and Sky Sports feeds at your fingertips is a total game-changer. Plus, you get access to all of Apple TV’s prestige originals, from Brad Pitt’s blockbuster “F1: The Movie” to massive hits like “Ted Lasso,” “Severance,” and “Pluribus.”
Unlock F1 TV Premium for advanced features
Here’s where the value of this new deal truly skyrockets. When you sign up for Apple TV, your subscription now comes with complete F1 TV Premium access. Just last season, F1 TV Premium cost $16.99/mo. on its own, making this a massive financial win for hardcore fans. To activate your Premium status, simply create a free F1 account (if you don’t already have one) and link it to your Apple TV subscription.
Once you log in to the F1 TV app or website, you unlock serious upgrades.
- 4K UHD streams: Watch every Grand Prix in ultra-high definition.
- Custom multiview: Select up to four simultaneous feeds, including live onboard cameras and real-time tracking maps.
- Uncensored team radio: Listen in on raw communication between the drivers and the pit wall.
- Expanded coverage: Dive into the F1 archive, watch documentaries, and stream live F2, F3, F1 Academy, and Porsche Supercup sessions.
How many Formula One teams are there?
There are 11 teams competing in the 2026 Formula One World Championship. Two race drivers participate on behalf of each team, meaning 22 drivers start each race.
This season features Cadillac’s highly anticipated F1 debut. Powered by Ferrari, their entry marks the sport’s first 11-team grid since 2016. Here’s a complete list of the 2026 F1 entries.
| Team name | Drivers | Constructor | Base |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team |
|
Aston Martin Aramco-Honda | Silverstone, United Kingdom |
| Atlassian Williams F1 Team |
|
Atlassian Williams-Mercedes | Grove, United Kingdom |
| Audi Revolut F1 Team |
|
Audi | Hinwil, Switzerland |
| BWT Alpine F1 Team |
|
Alpine-Mercedes | Enstone, United Kingdom |
| Cadillac F1 Team |
|
Cadillac-Ferrari | Silverstone, United Kingdom |
| McLaren Mastercard F1 Team |
|
McLaren-Mercedes | Woking, United Kingdom |
| Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team |
|
Mercedes | Brackley, United Kingdom |
| Oracle Red Bull Racing |
|
Red Bull Racing-Red Bull Ford | Milton Keynes, United Kingdom |
| Scuderia Ferrari HP |
|
Ferrari | Maranello, Italy |
| TGR Haas F1 Team |
|
Haas-Ferrari | Kannapolis, United States |
| Visa Cash App Racing Bulls F1 Team |
|
Racing Bulls-Red Bull Ford | Faenza, Italy |
How to watch Formula One FAQ
How can I watch Formula One for free?
Because F1 is now exclusive to Apple TV, you cannot watch live races for free using a digital antenna. The best way to get free access is to use Apple TV's seven-day free trial.
Can I watch Formula One on Amazon Prime Video?
Live Formula One races don't stream natively on Amazon Prime Video unless you bundle Apple TV as a Prime Video add-on. That said, you can catch 24/7 replays and highlights on the free Formula 1 Channel via Prime Video's Live TV hub.
Is F1 TV available in the US?
Yes, you can still purchase the basic F1 TV Access plan as a standalone subscription. But the higher-tier F1 TV Premium plan is now available as a complimentary subscription to all Apple TV subscribers.
Does ESPN still show Formula One races?
No, Formula One left ESPN channels and platforms in the U.S. after the 2025 season. While ESPN may still carry live F1 races in other territories, like Latin America, you'll need an Apple TV subscription to watch them in the U.S.
Why you should trust us
Our CableTV.com Sports Editor, Taylor Kujawa, has covered Formula One for several seasons, closely tracking its massive transition to Apple TV. Since F1 is now a single-provider sport, Taylor bypassed our standard multi-service comparison to execute a deep-dive analysis of the Apple TV experience. This approach involved extensive hands-on testing to evaluate the platform’s live race coverage, streaming quality, and overall value for fans.
Check out our How We Rank page to learn more about our methods.
