F1 confirms new £558m broadcast agreement as Apple TV takes over

Formula One has announced a new five-year agreement with Apple that will see all races in the United States broadcast exclusively on Apple TV from 2026

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Formula One has unveiled a groundbreaking five-year partnership that will see Apple become the series' exclusive broadcast partner in the United States, taking over from ESPN. From 2026, races will be streamed on Apple TV, whilst the sport will gain additional exposure across the tech giant's other platforms, including Apple Music and Apple Fitness+.

The announcement, worth a reported £558million ($750m) came ahead of the United States Grand Prix, where Lando Norris will look to further reduce Oscar Piastri's 22-point World Championship lead. With three races now taking place in the country following the triumphant introduction of the Miami and Las Vegas events, F1 chiefs are intensifying efforts to accelerate the sport's popularity surge in the States.

The tech behemoth was instrumental in the production of F1: The Movie, which hit cinemas earlier this year to rave reviews and substantial commercial triumph. The production went on to become the most lucrative sports film in box office history, raking in £467m ($628m) globally.

"This is an incredibly exciting partnership for both Formula One and Apple that will ensure we can continue to maximise our growth potential in the U.S. with the right content and innovative distribution channels," F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali said on Friday.

"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, enthusiasm and passionate approach to delivering this partnership, and we are looking forward to the next five years together."

The fresh deal confirms that Apple TV will become the exclusive destination for all practice sessions, qualifying rounds, sprint races and Grand Prix action over the coming five seasons. Friday's announcement also revealed that selected races will be available free-to-view in the United States.

Additionally, supporters will be able to watch every free practice session at no charge via the Apple TV app. Until now, American enthusiasts have accessed F1 coverage through the F1 TV Premium platform, but this service will now be offered solely through an Apple TV subscription, with no extra fees.

ESPN, which had held the rights to F1 since the start of the 2018 season, released a statement following the news. They noted: "We’re incredibly proud of what we and Formula One accomplished together in the United States and look forward to a strong finish in this final season. We wish F1 well in the future."