How to watch live Formula 1 online without cable in 2026

The 2026 Formula 1 season is upon us and marks the beginning of a bold new era for the sport. Reigning World Champion Lando Norris and McLaren enter as the team to beat after Norris captured his first Drivers’ Championship in 2025, narrowly edging out Max Verstappen in one of the tightest title fights in recent memory. McLaren also secured the Constructors’ Championship, continuing the momentum it built in 2024. However, with sweeping new technical regulations in place for 2026 — including redesigned chassis and a new power unit formula emphasizing greater electrical output and fully sustainable fuels — the competitive order could be shaken up. Ferrari, Mercedes, Red Bull, and the rest of the grid are all aiming to take advantage of the reset.

Many off-season shakeups are ready to be tested, the most notable long-term shift being the arrival of Cadillac as Formula 1’s 11th team. The American-backed entry expands the grid and adds to the sport’s growing footprint in the United States. Meanwhile, Sauber officially begins its transformation into the Audi works team ahead of Audi’s full factory integration under the new engine regulations, one of the most anticipated manufacturer projects in years. Lewis Hamilton continues his Ferrari chapter after last year’s blockbuster move from Mercedes, while McLaren sticks with its dynamic pairing of Norris and Oscar Piastri. Across the paddock, teams like Williams, Haas, and others will look to capitalize on the regulation overhaul to climb the order.

With 24 races on the calendar, including returning fan favorites like Suzuka, Spa, and Silverstone, plus the continued presence of high-profile events in Las Vegas, Miami, and Austin — and the addition of Madrid — the season promises non-stop action. A new technical era often brings unpredictability, and whether it’s the fight for the championship, renewed driver rivalries, or the challenge of mastering entirely new machinery, Formula 1 in 2026 is set to deliver another thrilling chapter in the sport’s history.

In October of 2025, it was announced that Apple TV would carry all F1 races starting in 2026, also moving F1 TV Premium under the umbrella but still requiring a subscription (that’s included with Apple TV).

Formula 1 racing brings pulse-pounding high-speed action from glamorous locations around the globe. And in 2026, it’s never been easier to catch all the best races on your TV, computer, or mobile device. Are you ready? Start your engines and follow along now.

How to watch F1 in 2026

Want to watch Formula 1 live in 2026? You’ll need an Apple TV subscription. Starting this year — and for 5 years in total — Apple TV is the exclusive home of Formula 1. All practice, qualifying, sprint races, and every Grand Prix will be covered, so one monthly subscription gets you everything, all in one place. Unfortunately, you won’t catch any coverage on ESPN, ABC, or other networks as in prior years.

The bonus is you can watch F1 free in 2026 with a 7-day free trial of Apple TV, so you can easily test the waters before going all-in with a monthly subscription.

2026 Formula 1 schedule

Sprint races will be held at: China, Miami, Canada, Great Britain, the Netherlands, and Singapore.

Can you watch F1 with a live TV streaming service in 2026?

As Apple TV has inked an exclusive 5-year deal with Formula 1, you won’t be able to watch races on ESPN, ESPN2, or ABC in 2026. You’ll have to subscribe to Apple TV to get access to practice, qualifying, sprint races, Grand Prix, and exclusive coverage all season.

DIRECTV, Sling, Fubo, YouTube TV, and Hulu Live TV were previously great options for watching F1 live, but for 2026, that’s no longer the case. So those of you who already subscribe to a live TV streaming service that used to include Formula 1 coverage are out of luck for the 2026 season — and the next 5 years.

Can you watch F1 on Netflix in 2026?

While Netflix won’t have as much coverage as Apple TV for F1 in 2026, you can cure some of your F1 fever with coverage of the Canadian Grand Prix as well as the returning hit series, “Formula 1: Drive to Survive,” which is also available via Apple TV

Can you watch F1 on ESPN in 2026?

Unlike the past few years, Formula 1 no longer lives on ESPN networks, including ABC, ESPN2, and ESPNEWS. Instead, you can only watch the action through a subscription to Apple TV. The good thing is that it’s now all in one place each and every weekend, but the bad news is that for many who already subscribe to a service that includes ESPN, you’ll now have to pay for another streaming service for the duration of the Formula 1 season.

Can you watch F1 for free on Apple TV?

If you’re looking to watch F1 free in 2026, you’re in luck. Apple TV — the exclusive home of Formula 1 for the next 5 years — currently offers a free 7-day trial. That means if you’re really just looking to watch a single race weekend this year, or just test the waters, you can easily do so for a week with no catch. Like what you see after 7 days? You can just carry on with your subscription for coverage of everything from practice to the Grand Prix, every weekend of the season. If you don’t think Apple TV is for you, just cancel, and you won’t be charged.

With no other streaming options for 2026, if you want to stream F1 free, you’ll need to have a monthly subscription to Apple TV from March through December to watch all 24 races.

How to subscribe to Apple TV for Formula 1 in 2026

Ready to get exclusive F1 coverage for 2026? An Apple TV subscription is just a few clicks away. Simply head over to the Apple TV signup page and accept your 7-day free trial for unparalleled access to F1, MLS, hit movies and shows, and much more.

How to subscribe to F1 TV in 2026

This year, rather than having to pay separately for an F1 TV subscription, Apple TV subscribers get F1 TV Premium included at no extra cost. To activate your subscription, simply head to the F1 TV subscription page and choose activate next to the Apple TV logo. From there, you can either sign into your existing F1 account or register a new one, then you’re off to the races.

Lights out!

Watching F1 live in 2026 is actually quite easy, as there’s only one option (and it will remain the same for the next 5 years). Previously, you had to switch between ESPN networks and hunt for a streaming service for ABC. Now you can easily find all the coverage in one place with Apple TV.

Your $12.99 monthly subscription not only gets you access to coverage of every weekend, but also gives you F1 TV Premium at no extra charge. Plus, if you’re not quite ready to go all-in, you can sign up for a free 7-day trial of Apple TV to get a whole weekend of race action before fully committing.

7-Day Trial

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Apple TV

Apple TV (formerly known as Apple TV+) is a subscription video streaming service for $12.99 per month, offering a growing slate of original series, films, documentaries, and specials. Unlike other platforms that combine licensed titles with originals, Apple TV is built entirely around exclusive programming, making it the home of critically acclaimed hits such as “Ted Lasso,” “Severance,” “The Morning Show,” and “Silo.” Its lineup continues to expand with award-winning dramas, comedies, family-friendly shows, and blockbuster original films like “CODA,” which won the Academy Award for Best Picture.

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The service is available worldwide through the Apple TV app, which is built into Apple devices and supported on most smart TVs, streaming players like Roku and Fire TV, game consoles, and web browsers. Subscribers can watch on demand, download episodes and movies for offline viewing, and stream in 4K with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, where available. Apple TV also offers family sharing, allowing up to six people to use one subscription at no extra cost.

In October 2025, Apple TV agreed to a deal with Formula 1 to carry all F1 races starting with the 2026 season.

With a competitive monthly price and bundles available through Apple One — which combines Apple TV with Apple Music, Apple Arcade, iCloud storage, and more — the service continues to grow as a key part of Apple’s ecosystem. Apple TV delivers one of the strongest collections of exclusive content in the streaming space for viewers seeking prestige originals, cinematic storytelling, and seamless access across devices.

7-Day Trial

$12.99+ / month

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