What Apple TV offers for Formula 1 racing
Apple TV+ does not currently carry live Formula 1 races or a dedicated F1 channel. The streaming service focuses on original films, series, and documentaries rather than sports broadcasting. If you want to watch F1 races live, you need a different service — most commonly ESPN+ in the United States, Sky Sports in the United Kingdom, or your local broadcaster.
Apple TV does host F1-related documentaries and behind-the-scenes content, including the series Drive to Survive, which follows team dynamics and driver stories across a season. This content is included with an Apple TV+ subscription but is not live race coverage.
The confusion often arises because Apple has made moves into sports — they broadcast some Major League Soccer matches through MLS Season Pass on Apple TV. However, Formula 1 broadcasting rights are held by other companies, and those agreements have not changed to include Apple TV+.
Key Takeaways
- Apple TV+ does not show live Formula 1 races; you will need ESPN+, Sky Sports, or another regional broadcaster to watch races as they happen.
- Apple TV+ does include F1 documentaries and series like Drive to Survive, which cover team and driver stories but not live racing.
- F1 broadcasting rights are held by different companies in different regions, and Apple has not purchased those rights in most markets.
- If you want both live F1 coverage and Apple TV+ content, you will need to pay for both services separately.
Where to watch Formula 1 live races
In the United States, ESPN+ holds the primary streaming rights to Formula 1. You can watch all practice sessions, may have access to rounds, and races live through ESPN+, either as a standalone subscription or bundled with Disney+ and Hulu. The cost varies depending on whether you choose the ad-supported or ad-free tier.
In the United Kingdom, Sky Sports F1 is the main broadcaster. Sky offers both traditional cable packages and a streaming-only option called Now TV, which lets you watch F1 without a long-term contract.
Other regions have different rights holders — Canada uses TSN, Australia uses Foxtel, and many European countries have their own national broadcasters. Your local F1 website lists which service covers races in your country.
What F1 content is on Apple TV+
Drive to Survive is the primary F1 content on Apple TV+. This documentary series follows teams and drivers throughout a season, showing what happens behind the scenes in the paddock, during strategy meetings, and in team headquarters. Each season covers one F1 season and typically releases several months after that season ends.
The series does not replace live race viewing — it is a supplement that helps viewers understand team dynamics and driver personalities. Episodes are released all at once, so you can watch the entire season whenever it becomes available.
Apple TV+ occasionally adds other F1-related documentaries or specials, but these are not announced on a regular schedule. Your best way to know what is available is to search "Formula 1" directly in the Apple TV+ app.
Cost comparison: Apple TV+ versus F1 streaming services
| Service | Monthly Cost (USD) | What You Get | F1 Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple TV+ | $9.99 (with ads) or $12.99 (ad-free) | Original shows, films, documentaries | Documentaries only, no live races |
| ESPN+ | $11.99 (with ads) or $15.99 (ad-free) | Live F1 races, other sports | All live races, practice, may have access to |
| Disney Bundle (Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+) | $14.99 (with ads) or $24.99 (ad-free) | Disney content, Hulu originals, ESPN+ | All live races through ESPN+ |
If you want to watch live F1 races, ESPN+ or the Disney Bundle is your only option among major U.S. streaming services. Apple TV+ is worth the cost if you enjoy F1 documentaries and other original content, but it should not be your primary source for race coverage.
How to find F1 content on Apple TV+
Open the Apple TV app on your device and use the search function to look for "Formula 1" or "Drive to Survive." The app will show you all available F1-related content included with your subscription.
You can also browse by category — documentaries and sports-related content are usually grouped together. Apple TV+ does not have a dedicated sports section the way some other services do, so searching by title is often faster.
If you have an active Apple TV+ subscription, all F1 content is included at no extra cost. You do not need to purchase individual episodes or seasons.
What to do if you want both live F1 and Apple TV+ content
You will need to subscribe to both services. There is no bundle that combines Apple TV+ with ESPN+ or other F1 broadcasters. The Disney Bundle includes ESPN+, so if you already use Disney+ or Hulu, adding ESPN+ through that bundle may be cheaper than paying for ESPN+ separately.
Many people subscribe to ESPN+ during the F1 season (roughly March through November) and cancel between seasons to save money. Apple TV+ operates year-round, so the decision to keep it depends on whether you watch other Apple originals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch F1 may have access to and practice sessions on Apple TV+?
No. Apple TV+ does not carry any live F1 events. may have access to and practice sessions are available on ESPN+ in the United States and on your regional broadcaster elsewhere. Drive to Survive sometimes includes highlights from races, but it is not a substitute for live coverage.
Will Apple TV+ ever get F1 broadcasting rights?
It is possible but not currently planned. Apple has shown interest in sports by acquiring MLS rights, but F1 broadcasting agreements are long-term contracts held by other companies. Any change would require those companies to sell their rights, which is unlikely in the near term.
Is Drive to Survive the same as watching a live race?
No. Drive to Survive is a documentary that shows team and driver stories, but it does not show complete race coverage. It releases months after a season ends, so it cannot replace live viewing if you want to watch races as they happen.
Do I need Apple TV+ to watch F1 on my Apple device?
No. You can watch F1 on an Apple device (iPhone, iPad, Apple TV) through ESPN+ or other broadcasters by downloading their apps. Apple TV+ is a separate subscription service and is not required to stream sports on Apple hardware.
What happens if I cancel Apple TV+ during the F1 season?
You lose access to Drive to Survive and other Apple TV+ content immediately. If you resubscribe later, you can watch the series again from the beginning. Your progress through episodes is saved if you resubscribe within a certain period, though Apple does not publicly specify how long that window is.