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F1 Just Moved to Apple TV — Here's How to Watch the 2026 Season Without Losing Your Mind
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Wait, F1 Isn't on ESPN Anymore?
Nope. Gone. Done. If you fired up ESPN this morning expecting to catch Australian GP practice, you got nothing.
Formula 1 moved to Apple TV in the US starting this season, and the transition caught a LOT of people off guard. Apple paid $750 million over five years for exclusive US broadcast rights — and they're not sharing. No ESPN. No cable. No "I'll just catch it on YouTube TV." It's Apple TV or bust.
I found out the hard way. Set my alarm for practice on Thursday, opened the ESPN app like I've done for years, and just... nothing. Searched "F1." Zero results. Had to scramble to get Apple TV set up on my Roku before qualifying started. Not my proudest morning.
The good news? Once you're actually in, the experience is genuinely impressive. The bad news? Getting there requires navigating Apple's usual maze of subscriptions, trials, and upsells. So let me save you the headache.
Formula 1 moved to Apple TV in the US starting this season, and the transition caught a LOT of people off guard. Apple paid $750 million over five years for exclusive US broadcast rights — and they're not sharing. No ESPN. No cable. No "I'll just catch it on YouTube TV." It's Apple TV or bust.
I found out the hard way. Set my alarm for practice on Thursday, opened the ESPN app like I've done for years, and just... nothing. Searched "F1." Zero results. Had to scramble to get Apple TV set up on my Roku before qualifying started. Not my proudest morning.
The good news? Once you're actually in, the experience is genuinely impressive. The bad news? Getting there requires navigating Apple's usual maze of subscriptions, trials, and upsells. So let me save you the headache.
What It Actually Costs (and the $99 Trick Nobody Mentions)
Apple TV+ runs $12.99 a month. That gets you F1 plus all their shows, movies, and MLS. Pretty standard streaming price in 2026.
But here's the thing most articles skip: there's an annual plan for $99 that saves you about 36% compared to paying monthly. The catch? Apple buries it. You have to subscribe monthly first, then go into your account settings, tap your Apple TV+ subscription, and switch to the annual option from there. Why they hide it, I genuinely don't know. Probably because $12.99/month sounds less painful than $99 upfront — classic pricing psychology.
If you already pay for Apple One (their services bundle), you're covered. Apple TV+ is included in every Apple One tier.
And if you just bought a new iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple TV hardware? You get three months free. That'll carry you through the first handful of races easily.
But here's the thing most articles skip: there's an annual plan for $99 that saves you about 36% compared to paying monthly. The catch? Apple buries it. You have to subscribe monthly first, then go into your account settings, tap your Apple TV+ subscription, and switch to the annual option from there. Why they hide it, I genuinely don't know. Probably because $12.99/month sounds less painful than $99 upfront — classic pricing psychology.
If you already pay for Apple One (their services bundle), you're covered. Apple TV+ is included in every Apple One tier.
And if you just bought a new iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple TV hardware? You get three months free. That'll carry you through the first handful of races easily.
How to Watch for Free (Seriously)
Photo by Mathieu Improvisato on Unsplash
Apple's actually being weirdly generous with free access this season. I think they know they need to hook people fast.
First — every single practice session is free. No subscription needed. Just open the Apple TV app, find Formula 1, and watch. This is smart on Apple's part because practice is where casual fans dip their toes in. Get hooked during FP2, suddenly you're subscribing for qualifying.
Second — there's a 7-day free trial. Time it right and you can watch this entire Australian GP weekend for nothing. Sign up Friday, cancel next Thursday. Done.
Third — and this one's wild — Apple cut a deal with Tubi to show free "altcasts" for several races this year. They haven't announced which ones yet, but Tubi is completely free with ads. So some races you'll be able to watch without paying a single cent.
And the Canadian Grand Prix in May? That one streams on both Apple TV AND Netflix. I'm guessing that's a Drive to Survive cross-promotion play, but whatever — free race is a free race.
First — every single practice session is free. No subscription needed. Just open the Apple TV app, find Formula 1, and watch. This is smart on Apple's part because practice is where casual fans dip their toes in. Get hooked during FP2, suddenly you're subscribing for qualifying.
Second — there's a 7-day free trial. Time it right and you can watch this entire Australian GP weekend for nothing. Sign up Friday, cancel next Thursday. Done.
Third — and this one's wild — Apple cut a deal with Tubi to show free "altcasts" for several races this year. They haven't announced which ones yet, but Tubi is completely free with ads. So some races you'll be able to watch without paying a single cent.
And the Canadian Grand Prix in May? That one streams on both Apple TV AND Netflix. I'm guessing that's a Drive to Survive cross-promotion play, but whatever — free race is a free race.
The 4K Multi-View Is the Real Flex
Okay, I'll give Apple credit where it's due — the viewing experience is a genuine upgrade over what ESPN offered.
Every session streams in 4K with Dolby Vision. That alone is a big deal. ESPN was broadcasting F1 in 1080i, which in 2026 feels like watching through a dirty window. The jump to 4K is immediately noticeable, especially during wet races where you can actually see individual water droplets coming off the tires.
But the multi-view feature is where it gets interesting. You can watch up to four live feeds at once. Apple gives you pre-configured layouts for every team — so you can follow both Red Bull drivers side by side with timing data and a track map. Or you can build your own custom layout. Want the main broadcast on the big feed with Verstappen's onboard, the pit lane channel, and live timing in the corners? Go for it.
You also get to choose between Sky Sports commentary and the F1 TV feed. I've been bouncing between them. Sky is more polished. F1 TV is more analytical. Both are solid.
Oh, and F1 TV Premium is included at no extra cost. That used to run $129 a year on its own. Now you get it bundled with a $99 Apple TV annual sub — which means you're actually saving money compared to last year if you had both ESPN and F1 TV. Didn't see that coming.
Every session streams in 4K with Dolby Vision. That alone is a big deal. ESPN was broadcasting F1 in 1080i, which in 2026 feels like watching through a dirty window. The jump to 4K is immediately noticeable, especially during wet races where you can actually see individual water droplets coming off the tires.
But the multi-view feature is where it gets interesting. You can watch up to four live feeds at once. Apple gives you pre-configured layouts for every team — so you can follow both Red Bull drivers side by side with timing data and a track map. Or you can build your own custom layout. Want the main broadcast on the big feed with Verstappen's onboard, the pit lane channel, and live timing in the corners? Go for it.
You also get to choose between Sky Sports commentary and the F1 TV feed. I've been bouncing between them. Sky is more polished. F1 TV is more analytical. Both are solid.
Oh, and F1 TV Premium is included at no extra cost. That used to run $129 a year on its own. Now you get it bundled with a $99 Apple TV annual sub — which means you're actually saving money compared to last year if you had both ESPN and F1 TV. Didn't see that coming.
These Cars Look and Sound Completely Different
Photo by Rob Wingate on Unsplash
If you haven't followed the regulation changes, you're in for a shock when you tune in tomorrow.
The 2026 cars are lighter, narrower, and built around a completely new powertrain philosophy. The hybrid system is way more aggressive now — the electric component produces triple the power of the old setup. But here's the twist: drivers have to manage their energy deployment throughout the lap. Run out of battery on the straight? You're a sitting duck.
The cars are also running active aerodynamics for the first time. The front and rear wings physically change shape during the lap — opening up on straights for less drag, closing up in corners for more downforce. It looks genuinely futuristic.
Every driver on the grid is learning the new cars simultaneously, which makes the first few races chaotic in the best way. Even Hamilton — entering his 20th season — said the energy management feels like "learning to drive all over again."
The 2026 cars are lighter, narrower, and built around a completely new powertrain philosophy. The hybrid system is way more aggressive now — the electric component produces triple the power of the old setup. But here's the twist: drivers have to manage their energy deployment throughout the lap. Run out of battery on the straight? You're a sitting duck.
The cars are also running active aerodynamics for the first time. The front and rear wings physically change shape during the lap — opening up on straights for less drag, closing up in corners for more downforce. It looks genuinely futuristic.
Every driver on the grid is learning the new cars simultaneously, which makes the first few races chaotic in the best way. Even Hamilton — entering his 20th season — said the energy management feels like "learning to drive all over again."
Arvid Lindblad Is About to Become Your New Favorite Driver
Every F1 season needs a storyline, and this year's is an 18-year-old kid from Surrey named Arvid Lindblad.
He's the sole rookie on the 2026 grid, driving for Racing Bulls alongside Liam Lawson. His path here was absurdly fast — this is only his fourth season in single-seaters. For context, most drivers spend six or seven years grinding through junior categories before sniffing an F1 seat. Lindblad did it in three.
Last year he became the youngest F2 race winner ever at 17, taking the checkered flag in Jeddah. He finished sixth overall in his debut F2 season. Red Bull saw enough and gave him the call-up in December.
What's got people buzzing is who's been mentoring him. Both Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen — the two greatest drivers of this generation, who normally agree on absolutely nothing — have been coaching the kid. Hamilton told reporters to "enjoy it" and warned him about how intense the environment gets. Verstappen, who Lindblad calls "so humble," has apparently been helping behind the scenes since last year.
The last Red Bull junior to get fast-tracked this aggressively was Verstappen himself. No pressure, right?
The Australian Grand Prix qualifying starts Saturday, race on Sunday. Whether you're a lifelong fan adjusting to the Apple TV switch or a curious newcomer who just wants to see what all the fuss is about — this is probably the most interesting season opener in years. New cars, new broadcast, new kid. All of it lands this weekend.
He's the sole rookie on the 2026 grid, driving for Racing Bulls alongside Liam Lawson. His path here was absurdly fast — this is only his fourth season in single-seaters. For context, most drivers spend six or seven years grinding through junior categories before sniffing an F1 seat. Lindblad did it in three.
Last year he became the youngest F2 race winner ever at 17, taking the checkered flag in Jeddah. He finished sixth overall in his debut F2 season. Red Bull saw enough and gave him the call-up in December.
What's got people buzzing is who's been mentoring him. Both Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen — the two greatest drivers of this generation, who normally agree on absolutely nothing — have been coaching the kid. Hamilton told reporters to "enjoy it" and warned him about how intense the environment gets. Verstappen, who Lindblad calls "so humble," has apparently been helping behind the scenes since last year.
The last Red Bull junior to get fast-tracked this aggressively was Verstappen himself. No pressure, right?
The Australian Grand Prix qualifying starts Saturday, race on Sunday. Whether you're a lifelong fan adjusting to the Apple TV switch or a curious newcomer who just wants to see what all the fuss is about — this is probably the most interesting season opener in years. New cars, new broadcast, new kid. All of it lands this weekend.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I watch F1 on Apple TV in 2026?
Download the Apple TV app on your device (iPhone, iPad, smart TV, Roku, Fire TV, Android, etc.), subscribe to Apple TV+ for $12.99/month or $99/year, and navigate to the Formula 1 section. All practice, qualifying, sprint, and race sessions stream live and on-demand exclusively on Apple TV in the US.
Can I watch F1 2026 for free on Apple TV?
Yes, partially. All practice sessions are free without a subscription. Apple TV+ also offers a 7-day free trial, and buying a new Apple device gets you 3 months free. Select races will also air for free on Tubi, and the Canadian Grand Prix will stream on Netflix.
How much does it cost to watch Formula 1 on Apple TV?
Apple TV+ costs $12.99 per month or $99 per year. The annual plan is hidden — you need to subscribe monthly first, then switch to annual in your account settings. F1 TV Premium is included at no extra cost, which previously cost $129/year separately.
Is F1 still on ESPN in 2026?
No. ESPN no longer carries Formula 1 in the United States. Apple TV acquired exclusive US broadcast rights starting with the 2026 season in a $750 million, five-year deal. There is no way to watch F1 races on ESPN or traditional cable in the US.
What devices can I watch F1 on Apple TV?
The Apple TV app is available on iPhone, iPad, Apple TV 4K, Apple Vision Pro, Mac, Samsung/LG/Sony/Vizio smart TVs, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Android devices, PlayStation, and Xbox. You can watch on virtually any modern streaming device.
Who is Arvid Lindblad and why is he trending?
Arvid Lindblad is an 18-year-old British racing driver making his F1 debut at the 2026 Australian Grand Prix with Racing Bulls. He's the sole rookie on the grid and the youngest F2 race winner in history. Both Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen have been mentoring him.
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