Apple TV Reveals 2026 F1 Coverage Features in New Ad

Apple TV's new promotional video offers US Formula 1 fans their first concrete look at 2026 coverage innovations, highlighting driver-cam Multiview functionality and real-time mobile leaderboards. The tech giant becomes F1's exclusive US broadcast partner next year after securing a five-year deal that builds on their collaboration for Brad Pitt's blockbuster F1 The Movie.

Why it matters:

This partnership represents a strategic pivot for F1's American expansion beyond traditional sports networks. With Apple's streaming dominance and tech ecosystem, the deal could fundamentally reshape how US fans consume races—potentially attracting younger audiences through seamless integration with iPhones and Apple Vision Pro. The timing aligns with F1's projected US viewership surge, where races now regularly draw over 2 million viewers per Grand Prix.

The details:

• The December 7 social media spot—timed with Abu Dhabi's season finale—demonstrates Multiview capabilities allowing simultaneous viewing of multiple driver cams, a feature previously limited to premium broadcast packages.
• Mobile interface previews show real-time leaderboards optimized for iPhone screens, suggesting deeper integration with Apple's hardware ecosystem than current ESPN broadcasts.
• Strategic context: The deal follows Apple's three-year collaboration with F1 on F1 The Movie, which generated unprecedented mainstream attention ahead of the 2025 season. CEO Tim Cook's personal involvement in the film project reportedly accelerated broadcast negotiations.
• F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali emphasized the partnership's "year-round approach" to fan engagement, hinting at exclusive documentary content and pre-race shows beyond live race coverage.
• Apple's Eddy Cue positioned 2026 as F1's "transformative new era," directly linking coverage innovation to upcoming technical regulations and potential new US-based teams.

What's next:

Apple TV's F1 coverage launches with the March 6-8 Australian Grand Prix, giving the company six months to refine its production pipeline. Industry insiders anticipate:

• A dedicated F1 app within Apple TV+ featuring customizable viewing experiences
• Integration with Apple Fitness+ for driver biometric data during races
• Potential AR features for Vision Pro users during qualifying sessions The real test comes in preserving ESPN's existing audience while converting casual movie viewers into dedicated subscribers—a challenge Apple must solve to justify F1's reported $300M annual rights fee.