Several team bosses within Formula 1 have expressed their enthusiasm for the new TV deal with Apple in the United States. The tech giant announced in the run-up to the Austin GP that it has secured the exclusive broadcasting rights in the US. For the next five years, American fans will follow the championship via the streaming service Apple TV+. According to the Formula 1 leadership, the collaboration could lead to ‘exponential growth’ in this lucrative market.
On Friday, Apple and Formula 1 jointly announced that the premier class will be exclusively available on the tech giant’s platform from 2026 – provided you live in the US. Various sources reported that the deal is estimated to be worth around 140 million dollars per year. Since the takeover of Formula 1 by Liberty Media, the sport has increasingly succeeded in tapping into the American market. The Netflix series Drive to Survive played a crucial role in this, but Apple also got a foot in the door with F1: The Movie.
‘Exponential Growth’
Although Formula 1 is now hugely popular in the United States, the organization expects the new deal to further accelerate growth. Various team bosses shared their enthusiasm. “I think exponential growth is very realistic,” McLaren CEO Zak Brown told Autosport. “It will take time, but Apple has shown with F1: The Movie that their interest is serious. When you look at the reach of their various platforms and the technology they have – and we are of course a technology-driven sport – there is a lot of excitement.””Eddy Cue, Vice President of Apple Services, also has a tremendous passion for Formula 1,” Brown continued. “That always helps, as passion drives an organization forward. I’m very excited about the ways they can promote Formula 1 – not only during race weekends, but 24/7 through their various channels and technologies.”
On the Same Page
Red Bull team boss Laurent Mekies agreed. “Actually, we are completely on the same page,” he said. “When you talk to Apple, you immediately feel that enthusiasm. The reach becomes incredible – that’s exciting for all teams. We’ve been trying to reach American fans for years, and that’s been successful lately. But this collaboration with Apple opens new doors.”
Finally, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff emphasized that the deal will not only increase the popularity of Formula 1 in America, but also worldwide. “Apple News is one of the largest news platforms in the world,” Wolff stated. “When you have the support of people like Eddy Cue and his team, you know you’re in good hands. And in terms of hardware – watches, phones, you name it – you can hardly do better than Apple. That’s why I believe this will be a great success for both Formula 1 and Apple itself.”
