Apple TV streams every F1 grand prix in 4K

Apple TV will stream every F1 grand prix in 4K, with onboard cameras, team radios, and live telemetry baked into the coverage this season. The move places a dedicated F1 channel inside the Apple TV app, offering practice sessions, sprint races, and the full pre- and post-race show, while also letting fans binge the new season of Drive To Survive on the same platform. It’s a bold bet that Apple hopes will turn post-race data and in‑car perspectives into as much of a draw as the race itself.

In hands-on terms, Apple’s arrangement centers on two feeds: the F1 TV feed as the main broadcast and Sky Sports’ feed for all races, mirroring the old ESPN-Sky setup some fans remember. For die-hard fans who crave extra context, Apple’s deal includes access to F1 TV Premium—onboard cameras, team radios, and live telemetry—during the 2026 season. In other words, you can watch the race unfold with the standard telecast, then pop into the telemetry stream for a driver’s-eye view, if you want to nerd out between laps. The catch, as described, is that the 4K picture comes with Dolby Vision and 5.1 audio—but not Dolby Atmos, a nuance that will matter for some home-theater enthusiasts.

From a consumer-ecosystem angle, the most meaningful detail is bundling. Apple TV subscribers get F1 TV Premium for the 2026 season. The piece doesn’t spell out exact prices for Apple TV hardware or the broader Apple TV+ subscription, but it does frame F1 Premium as part of the package for the year. For fans already deep in the Apple ecosystem, that reduces the friction of another streaming app and another monthly bill—at least if you’re comfortable with Apple’s pricing model. For non‑Apple households, the arrangement remains an added cost to access the enhanced F1 experience.

Setup is straightforward for current Apple TV users: open the Apple TV app, locate the new F1 channel, and sign in with your Apple ID to unlock the F1 Premium features bundled for 2026. The real-world time-to-watch is short—minutes to launch, pick your feed, and settle into 4K visuals on a compatible TV. The bigger practical hurdle isn’t the login but the bandwidth and hardware: 4K streaming with 5.1 audio demands a robust home network and a capable TV, and viewers in weaker Wi‑Fi zones should anticipate some buffering tradeoffs during peak race moments.

This shift matters most to dedicated F1 fans who want more than just the standard broadcast. The onboard cams and live telemetry can deepen understanding of pit strategy, tire degradation, and car setup—areas where casual viewers often feel lost. It also makes for a natural “second screen” experience during practice and sprint sessions, when the on-track action doesn’t command the same attention as the main race.

Two practitioner insights stand out. First, the value proposition hinges on ecosystem lock-in. Bundling F1 Premium with Apple TV subscriptions makes the premium data and cameras accessible without a separate pass, which is appealing to Apple loyalists but potentially frustrating for those who already subscribe to F1 TV or Sky Sports through other devices. Second, the multiple-feed approach is a double-edged sword: it offers richer viewing options but can confuse casual fans who just want a single, clean broadcast. Expect a period of friction as fans discover which feed they actually prefer on race day.

Who should buy? If you own an Apple TV setup, crave deeper race context, and enjoy the option of switching to onboard footage and telemetry, this is compelling. If you prize simplicity, or you don’t want to juggle feeds, the standard broadcast alone might suffice. For Sky Sports or ESPN loyalists in regions where those feeds dominate, the choice hinges on whether the F1 Premium extras justify the switch.

Verdict: Buy for Apple households chasing a fuller, more technical F1 experience; skip if you’re only chasing a single, simple race feed or you’re uncertain about ongoing costs. The 2026 season looks like Apple’s most ambitious foray into live sports coverage yet, with 4K visuals, multi-feed options, and deeper data—yet it also asks viewers to evaluate value against a bundled ecosystem and the bandwidth realities of modern streaming.

Sources

Everything you need to know about streaming F1 on Apple TV