Here’s how you can watch Formula 1 for free in 2026
Here’s how you can watch Formula 1 for free in 2026
Apple TV offers a free trial and is the exclusive home of Formula 1 for 2026.
Formula 1 enters a bold new era in 2026 — and if you’re wondering how to watch F1 for free in 2026, you’re in luck. After years on cable and traditional TV through ESPN and ABC, the full U.S. broadcast rights to Formula 1 have moved exclusively to Apple TV under a multi-year deal. From practice sessions and qualifying to sprint races and Grand Prix action, every part of the F1 season will stream on Apple’s platform.
How to watch F1 free in 2026
- When: Starts Sunday, March 8 at midnight ET
- Stream: Watch with a 7-day free trial of Apple TV
- From anywhere: Watch with a subscription to a VPN.
Everything you need to know about watching F1 free in 2026
What is the 2026 F1 schedule
| Race | Grand Prix | Circuit | Date & Time (ET) | TV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Australian Grand Prix | Albert Park Circuit, Melbourne | Sunday, March 8, 12:00 a.m. | Apple TV |
| 2 | Chinese Grand Prix | Shanghai International Circuit | Sunday, March 15, 3:00 a.m. | Apple TV |
| 3 | Japanese Grand Prix | Suzuka International Racing Course | Sunday, March 29, 1:00 a.m. | Apple TV |
| 4 | Bahrain Grand Prix | Bahrain International Circuit | Sunday, April 12, 11:00 a.m. | Apple TV |
| 5 | Saudi Arabian Grand Prix | Jeddah Corniche Circuit | Sunday, April 19, 1:00 p.m. | Apple TV |
| 6 | Miami Grand Prix | Miami International Autodrome | Sunday, May 3, 3:30 p.m. | Apple TV |
| 7 | Canadian Grand Prix | Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Montreal | Sunday, May 24, 2:00 p.m. | Apple TV |
| 8 | Monaco Grand Prix | Circuit de Monaco, Monaco | Sunday, June 7, 9:00 a.m. | Apple TV |
| 9 | Spanish Grand Prix | Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya | Sunday, June 14, 9:00 a.m. | Apple TV |
| 10 | Austrian Grand Prix | Red Bull Ring, Spielberg | Sunday, June 28, 9:00 a.m. | Apple TV |
| 11 | British Grand Prix | Silverstone Circuit, Silverstone | Sunday, July 5, 10:00 a.m. | Apple TV |
| 12 | Belgian Grand Prix | Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps | Sunday, July 19, 9:00 a.m. | Apple TV |
| 13 | Hungarian Grand Prix | Hungaroring, Mogyoród | Sunday, July 26, 9:00 a.m. | Apple TV |
| 14 | Dutch Grand Prix | Circuit Zandvoort, Zandvoort | Sunday, August 23, 9:00 a.m. | Apple TV |
| 15 | Italian Grand Prix | Monza Circuit, Monza | Sunday, September 6, 9:00 a.m. | Apple TV |
| 16 | Madrid Grand Prix | Madring Circuit, Madrid | Sunday, September 13, 9:00 a.m. | Apple TV |
| 17 | Azerbaijan Grand Prix | Baku City Circuit, Baku | Sunday, September 26, 7:00 a.m. | Apple TV |
| 18 | Singapore Grand Prix | Marina Bay Street Circuit, Singapore | Sunday, October 11, 8:00 a.m. | Apple TV |
| 19 | United States Grand Prix | Circuit of the Americas, Austin | Sunday, October 25, 3:00 p.m. | Apple TV |
| 20 | Mexico City Grand Prix | Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez | Sunday, November 1, 4:00 p.m. | Apple TV |
| 21 | São Paulo Grand Prix | Interlagos Circuit, São Paulo | Sunday, November 8, 12:00 p.m. | Apple TV |
| 22 | Las Vegas Grand Prix | Las Vegas Strip Circuit | Saturday, November 21, 11:00 p.m. | Apple TV |
| 23 | Qatar Grand Prix | Lusail International Circuit, Lusail | Sunday, November 29, 10:00 a.m. | Apple TV |
| 24 | Abu Dhabi Grand Prix | Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi | Sunday, December 6, 8:00 a.m. | Apple TV |
How to watch Formula 1 free in 2026
Watching Formula 1 exclusively on a streaming service may sound daunting if you’re used to cable options, but there’s a simple way to dive in cost-free to start. Apple TV offers a 7-day free trial for new subscribers, meaning you can test the waters at no cost to see if the service is right for you. Start your trial the week of the first race, and you can watch every session and every flag of the opening rounds without paying a cent. While you’re at it, you can watch “Formula 1: Drive to Survive” Season 8 — available on Apple TV (as well as Netflix) alongside the live races this year — and it’s a perfect warm-up for race day too.
Once the free trial expires, Apple TV’s standard plan rolls in at $12.99 per month. But if you’re strategic — starting your free week right around a big race weekend — you can still catch world championship action, qualifying drama, and sprint excitement before that first bill ever hits. Think of it as an all-access pass to the start of the season. Plus, you’ll have unlimited access to Formula 1 coverage all season long — and you literally won’t find it anyplace else.
Of course, Apple isn’t just showing the races. The F1 experience on Apple TV in 2026 is designed to be immersive, with multi-view camera angles, deep statistics, and on-demand replays that bring you closer to the strategy and speed than ever before. And for documentary fans, having “Formula 1: Drive to Survive” available alongside live action makes the free trial feel like a true F1 festival.
So if you’ve been meaning to check out F1 but didn’t want to buy a subscription right away, now’s the moment. Sign up for Apple TV, activate your seven-day free trial, and enjoy the start of the 2026 F1 season — from lights out in Melbourne to checkered flags around the globe — without spending a dime upfront.
Apple TV
Apple TV (formerly known as Apple TV+) is a subscription video streaming service for $14.99 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.