On February 26, Netflix announced that it will stream the Canadian Formula One Grand Prix live for viewers in the United States in May. This move is part of a broader agreement under which Season 8 of its popular documentary series ‘Drive to Survive’ will also be available for streaming on Apple TV.
This season, Apple TV has replaced Walt Disney’s ESPN as the exclusive US broadcaster of Formula One and will show live coverage of all 24 rounds. Media reports from last February had also stated that Netflix was in the race to secure the US broadcasting rights.
Season 8 of ‘Drive to Survive’ will be released worldwide on Friday. The new season offers exclusive behind-the-scenes access to the 2025 Formula One campaign, which was won by McLaren’s Lando Norris. The 2026 Formula One season will begin in Australia on March 8, and will include three rounds in the United States.
Also Read | Netflix backs out of Warner Bros mega deal — Paramount sweeps in with massive $111 billion bid
🚨| Apple and Netflix join forces to distribute F1 2026 content:
— This is Formula 1 (@ThisIsFormu1a1) February 27, 2026
— Formula 1's new US broadcaster, Apple TV, has partnered with Netflix to share content, including the latest season of Drive to Survive and the live broadcast of the Canadian Grand Prix. Speaking to media, F1… pic.twitter.com/jjLv68VUDL
What is Eddy Cue saying?
Apple’s Senior Vice-President of Services, Eddy Cue, said during a video call with reporters that some races and practice sessions will also be available to watch for free during the season. However, he did not share further details.
He added, "We look at F1 and Apple TV as a true partnership where we're going to amplify this sport across all our Apple services."
He further stated, "Netflix, I think, has played a pivotal role in growing F1 since the launch of ‘Drive to Survive’ and we're thrilled to make F1 content more broadly available to new and existing US fans on both Netflix and Apple TV."
Also Read | J-Hope celebrates birthday by donating 300 million won before BTS comeback
What did Ian Holmes reveal?
Formula One’s Chief Media Rights and Broadcast Officer, Ian Holmes, said that ESPN raised the sport’s profile in the United States. He described the US as a very important market for Formula One and said that the new partnership with Apple is “the next big step forward.”
"I'd say we are probably the only sport in the world whose audience is getting younger and more female-skewed, and that couldn't be more evident than currently in the US," he added.
Ian Holmes further said, "So we see a relationship with Apple and the way that Apple can offer its content as the most forward-looking approach that we can pursue."
