It’s a new era for Formula 1 fans in the United States, as two of the world’s biggest streaming giants—Apple TV and Netflix—are joining forces to deliver an unprecedented Formula 1 viewing experience. The eighth season of the wildly popular docuseries Drive to Survive launches on February 28, 2026, and, for the first time, will be available to U.S. viewers on both Apple TV and Netflix. This landmark collaboration doesn’t stop there: both platforms will also simulcast the Canadian Grand Prix live from May 22 to 24, 2026, marking the first-ever live F1 event on Netflix in the U.S.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the deal was announced by Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of services, during a press briefing on February 26, 2026. Cue expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “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 U.S. fans on both Netflix and Apple TV.”
The eighth season of Drive to Survive recaps a drama-filled 2025 Formula 1 season. Fans will relive seismic events such as the firing of Christian Horner as Red Bull’s team principal, Lewis Hamilton’s headline-grabbing first year at Ferrari, and an electrifying championship battle between McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. For those who missed it, Norris clinched his first F1 title by a razor-thin margin—just two points ahead of Max Verstappen—delivering a storybook finish that’s sure to captivate viewers all over again.
The collaboration between Apple and Netflix is more than just a content swap. As Deadline reports, Apple recently secured exclusive U.S. rights to Formula 1 in a deal valued between $140 and $150 million annually. This move marks a strategic pivot for Apple, which aims to use complementary programming like Drive to Survive to keep fans engaged when live races aren’t in session. Unlike its approach with Major League Soccer, where Apple created a stand-alone streaming service, all F1 content—races, practice, qualifying, and sprints—will be available to regular Apple TV subscribers, broadening access for fans across the country.
Netflix, meanwhile, continues to expand its live sports portfolio. As Variety highlights, the streaming giant has recently added rights to the NFL, Major League Baseball, and the upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup. The company’s success with Drive to Survive—which racked up 10.4 million views in just the first half of 2025—demonstrated the power of behind-the-scenes sports storytelling and helped cement Netflix’s reputation as a sports content innovator. The decision to simulcast the Canadian Grand Prix, along with all practice, qualifying, and sprint sessions over Memorial Day weekend, underscores Netflix’s commitment to bringing more live sports directly to its audience.
The 2026 Formula 1 season officially kicks off on March 5 with the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, and fans can expect a robust slate of programming from both streaming services. Apple, in particular, is integrating F1 content across its suite of apps—including Apple News, Apple Maps, and Apple Music—offering everything from live look-ins and behind-the-scenes features to race highlights and playlists inspired by the energy of race day. In addition, Apple is collaborating with third parties such as Imax and Fox’s Tubi to provide alternative broadcasts and expanded coverage, although some details of those partnerships are still under wraps.
For Netflix, the Canadian Grand Prix represents a milestone: it will be the first time the service streams a live Formula 1 event in the United States. The agreement is exclusive to the U.S., with Drive to Survive remaining a Netflix exclusive internationally. The race weekend, spanning May 22-24, 2026, will see Netflix not only broadcasting the main event but also delivering every moment of the action, from practice laps to qualifying rounds and the high-stakes sprint session. It’s a bold step for Netflix, which has been steadily building its live event credentials in the sports world.
Behind all the corporate maneuvering lies a simple truth: Formula 1 is experiencing a renaissance in the U.S., and both Apple and Netflix are betting big on its continued growth. As AP News notes, the docuseries Drive to Survive has been widely credited with sparking a surge in American interest in F1, transforming the sport from a niche obsession into a mainstream phenomenon. The move to make the series available on Apple TV is seen as a way to further broaden its reach and draw in new fans—especially as Apple now controls the U.S. broadcast rights for all live races.
The partnership also reflects broader changes in how sports are consumed. Gone are the days when fans had to rely solely on cable networks or traditional broadcasters. Instead, streaming platforms are increasingly at the center of the action, offering flexible, on-demand access to everything from documentaries to live events. This shift is not without its challenges: as Variety points out, ESPN played a crucial role in building F1’s U.S. audience, and it remains to be seen whether Apple TV can replicate that level of exposure. Still, with the combined might of Apple and Netflix, Formula 1 is poised to reach more American viewers than ever before.
It’s not just about numbers, though. For fans, this new arrangement means more ways to watch, more behind-the-scenes access, and more opportunities to immerse themselves in the high-octane world of Formula 1. Whether you’re tuning in for the drama of Drive to Survive, catching every twist and turn of the Canadian Grand Prix, or following the action across Apple’s ecosystem of apps, there’s never been a better time to be an F1 fan in the United States.
With the engines set to roar in Melbourne and a blockbuster season of racing ahead, all eyes are on Apple TV and Netflix as they usher in a new chapter for Formula 1 coverage. The checkered flag is waving—will this bold partnership take F1’s American popularity to the next level? Time, and the fans, will tell.