Max Verstappen is trending again — this time for a qualifying flashpoint with George Russell at Monza — and every time F1 makes headlines, the same question follows: where can Americans actually watch these races? The answer changed dramatically in 2026, so if you're still looking for F1 on ESPN, you're looking in the wrong place.
The Fast Answer
In 2026, Formula 1 in the United States streams on Apple TV. Apple signed a multi-year deal to become the exclusive US home of F1 starting with the 2026 season, ending ESPN's long run as the American broadcaster.
- Every race, qualifying, and practice session streams live through an Apple TV subscription (about $12.99/month).
- F1 TV Premium — Formula 1's own streaming product with onboard cameras, team radio, and live timing — is included for Apple TV subscribers in the US as part of the deal.
- Some content is available free in the Apple TV app, including select sessions and highlights (Apple has adjusted exactly what's free during the season, so check the app for the current weekend).
If you just want to watch Sunday's race: subscribe to Apple TV, open the app on basically any device, and you're set.
What Changed: ESPN Is Out, Apple Is In
From 2018 through 2025, F1 aired on ESPN, ESPN2, and occasionally ABC, using the Sky Sports broadcast feed. That era is over. Apple's deal — reported at roughly $140 million per year over five years — makes Apple TV the only place to watch live F1 sessions in the US in 2026.
Practically, that means:
- No cable channel carries live F1 races in the US anymore. Your cable or satellite package doesn't help here.
- No antenna option. Unlike the NFL or college football, no over-the-air broadcast network shows F1 races in 2026.
- One subscription covers everything. The upside of exclusivity: you don't need to juggle a cable login plus a separate F1 TV account. One Apple TV subscription gets you the full season.
Cost Breakdown
| Option | Price | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| Apple TV subscription | ~$12.99/month | Every race, qualifying, sprint, and practice live, plus F1 TV Premium features and Apple's full shows/movies catalog |
| Apple One bundle | from ~$19.95/month | Apple TV plus Apple Music, Apple Arcade, and iCloud storage — worth it if you'd pay for those anyway |
| Free tier (Apple TV app) | $0 | Select free sessions and highlights, availability varies by race weekend |
| F1 TV Premium standalone | — | In the US, F1 TV's premium tier is folded into the Apple deal; check f1.com or Apple's site for current standalone availability |
A full F1 season runs March through December with 24 race weekends. Ten months of Apple TV comes to roughly $130 for the entire season — less than most single-sport streaming packages, and cheaper than what a cable package plus F1 TV used to cost.
One honest caveat: carriage and bundle details can shift mid-season. If a specific feature matters to you (say, standalone F1 TV access or the free race schedule), confirm on Apple's or Formula 1's official site before subscribing.
The Free and Cheapest Ways to Watch
You have a few legitimate zero-dollar or low-dollar routes:
- Free content in the Apple TV app. Apple has made select F1 sessions and race weekends available free to anyone with the app (no subscription required). The lineup changes, so open the app during a race weekend and see what's unlocked.
- Free trial. New Apple TV subscribers typically get a free trial week, and buyers of new Apple devices often get an extended free period (historically up to three months). Time a trial around a race you care about — say, a Verstappen title showdown.
- Highlights. Formula 1's official YouTube channel posts extended race highlights shortly after each session, free worldwide.
- Share a subscription. Apple TV supports Family Sharing, so one subscription covers up to five additional family members at no extra cost.
- Apple One math. If anyone in your household already pays for Apple Music and iCloud storage separately, bundling via Apple One can make the effective cost of F1 close to zero.
How to Actually Watch on Race Day
The Apple TV app is nearly everywhere, so device access shouldn't be a problem:
- TV: Apple TV 4K box, or the Apple TV app built into Samsung, LG, Sony, and Vizio smart TVs, plus Roku and Amazon Fire TV devices.
- Consoles: PlayStation and Xbox both have the app.
- Phone/tablet/computer: iPhone, iPad, Mac, or any browser at tv.apple.com — Android users can watch through the web.
Races in Europe typically start around 9:00 a.m. ET on Sundays; Asian rounds run late Saturday night US time; and the three American races — Miami, Austin, and Las Vegas — air in comfortable US viewing windows. Qualifying (like the Verstappen–Russell Monza drama) usually runs Saturday morning ET for European rounds.
Why 2026 Is a Good Season to Start Watching
This section covers the current season — the streaming info above stays true regardless.
2026 is arguably the biggest reset in modern F1 history: all-new car regulations with active aerodynamics, new power units running fully sustainable fuel, and Cadillac joining the grid as the 11th team — an American constructor in F1 for the first time in decades. Verstappen and Red Bull are fighting to stay on top under rules designed to shake up the established order, which is exactly why moments like the Monza qualifying spat with Russell and Mercedes carry title-fight tension. If you've been F1-curious since Drive to Survive, this is the most level starting line the sport has offered new fans in years.
FAQ
Is F1 still on ESPN in 2026? No. ESPN's US rights ended after the 2025 season. Live races, qualifying, and practice now stream exclusively on Apple TV in the United States. ESPN may still cover F1 news, but not live sessions.
Do I need both Apple TV and F1 TV? No — that's the best part of the new deal. In the US, F1 TV Premium's features (onboard cameras, live timing, team radio, full replays) are included with an Apple TV subscription. One subscription, everything included.
Can I watch F1 for free in 2026? Partially. Apple makes select sessions and race weekends free in the Apple TV app, and official highlights are free on YouTube. For every race live, you'll need the subscription — about $12.99/month, with free trials available for new subscribers.