How to Watch Formula 1 on Apple TV

What You Get With Apple TV+ for Formula 1

Apple TV+ does not carry live Formula 1 races. The streaming service offers original shows, movies, and sports documentaries, but not the actual Grand Prix broadcasts. If you want to watch F1 races live or on-demand, you need a different service — typically ESPN+ in the United States, or your cable provider's sports package.

What Apple TV+ does have is F1 documentary content. The most well-known is Drive to Survive, a behind-the-scenes series that follows teams and drivers through a racing season. Episodes air weeks or months after the races happen, so it is not a substitute for watching the actual competition, but it shows you the drama, strategy, and personalities behind the sport.

If you already subscribe to Apple TV+ for other reasons, you can watch F1 documentaries there. But if your main goal is to see the races themselves, you will need to look elsewhere or combine services.

Key Takeaways

Apple TV+ carries F1 documentaries like Drive to Survive but does not broadcast live or recorded races.
In the United States, ESPN+ holds the rights to stream F1 races live and on-demand throughout the season.
Cable and satellite providers like Comcast, DirecTV, and others may also carry F1 races through their sports packages.
You can combine Apple TV+ with ESPN+ or cable sports access to get both documentaries and live race coverage.

Where to Actually Watch F1 Races Live

ESPN+ is the primary streaming home for Formula 1 in the United States. The service streams every race live, plus practice sessions and may have access to rounds. You can watch on the ESPN+ app, on ESPN.com, or through the ESPN app on your phone, tablet, or smart TV. ESPN+ requires a separate subscription from Apple TV+ — it is not included with either Apple One bundles or a standard Apple TV+ account.

If you have cable or satellite TV, your provider may also carry F1 races on ESPN, ABC, or another sports channel. Check your provider's guide or app to see which races air on your included channels versus which ones require ESPN+.

Some international viewers have different options. In the United Kingdom, Sky Sports holds F1 rights. In Canada, TSN and RDS broadcast the races. The broadcaster varies by country, so check what is available in your region.

How Much ESPN+ Costs and What Else It Includes

ESPN+ costs a monthly fee that varies depending on whether you pay month-to-month or commit to a year. You can also bundle ESPN+ with Disney+ and Hulu at a higher combined price, which may save money if you use all three services. Prices change periodically, so check ESPN's website for current rates.

Beyond F1, ESPN+ streams thousands of live sports events: college football, basketball, hockey, soccer, tennis, golf, and more. It also includes original shows and analysis. If you watch multiple sports, the service may pay for itself quickly. If you only want F1, you are paying for a broader sports package.

Combining Apple TV+ and ESPN+ for Full F1 Coverage

Many F1 fans use both services. You watch the races live on ESPN+ on race weekends, then watch Drive to Survive on Apple TV+ during the off-season or between races to understand the team and driver storylines. This combination gives you both the competition and the behind-the-scenes narrative.

If cost is a concern, you could subscribe to ESPN+ only during the F1 season (roughly March through December) and cancel during the off-season, then pick up Apple TV+ separately if you want the documentaries. This approach spreads the expense across the year.

What Drive to Survive Actually Covers

Drive to Survive is a documentary series, not a race broadcast. Each season follows one full F1 season and includes interviews, team meetings, and behind-the-scenes footage. Episodes focus on drama between drivers, team strategy decisions, and personal stories. The series is edited for entertainment, so it emphasizes conflict and emotion over technical racing detail.

New seasons typically release on Apple TV+ several months after the F1 season ends. For example, a season covering the 2024 races might release in early 2025. This delay means you will not see the current season unfold in real time on Drive to Survive — you watch the races on ESPN+ as they happen, then revisit the season through the documentary later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I watch F1 races live on Apple TV+?

No. Apple TV+ does not have the broadcast rights to F1 races. You need ESPN+ in the United States, or your local broadcaster in other countries. Apple TV+ only carries F1 documentaries and behind-the-scenes content.

Do I need both ESPN+ and Apple TV+ to watch F1?

No. ESPN+ alone is enough to watch all the races. Apple TV+ is optional and only useful if you want to watch F1 documentaries like Drive to Survive. Many fans use just ESPN+ for race coverage.

When does Drive to Survive release new seasons?

New seasons typically release several months after the F1 season ends, usually in early 2025 for the previous year's season. The exact date varies. Check Apple TV+ for the release date when it is announced.

Can I watch F1 races on-demand with ESPN+?

Yes. ESPN+ streams races live and keeps them available on-demand afterward, so you can watch a race you missed at any time. This is one advantage over cable, where races may not be repeated.

Is there a bundle that includes both ESPN+ and Apple TV+?

Apple offers bundles that combine Apple TV+ with Disney+ and Hulu, but not with ESPN+. ESPN+ is owned by Disney but sold separately. You would need to pay for both subscriptions independently or through their own bundle options.

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