Formula One (F1) is launching its new season with a significant media shift, partnering with Apple TV for exclusive US broadcasts. This five-year agreement marks a pivotal moment as the sport expands its reach during a period of anticipated regulation changes.
Apple aims to enhance the viewing experience beyond live races, integrating F1 content across Apple News, Maps, Music, and Fitness+. Live updates via Apple Sports will cover qualifying and race sessions, leveraging the breadth of Apple's ecosystem to attract North American audiences. Stefano Domenicali, Formula One’s president and CEO, stated, “We have a shared vision to bring this amazing sport to our fans in the US and entice new fans.”
Apple TV will also host season 8 of Netflix's "Drive to Survive," the popular documentary series chronicling the 2025 F1 World Championship. This collaboration underscores F1's growing international popularity and its appeal to younger, more diverse demographics. In 2025, 43% of fans were under 35, with nearly 42% of the fanbase being female. These shifts reflect F1’s embrace of glamour, celebrity presence, and engaging off-track content.
The 2026 season introduces new manufacturers like Cadillac and Audi, alongside Ford's reentry in partnership with Red Bull. The new regulations focus on lighter cars, advanced aerodynamics, and more electric-powered engines, making the sport more relevant to automotive technology. Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton has expressed a strong desire for F1 to race in Africa before his retirement, highlighting the sport's drive for global audience expansion into new, lucrative markets.