How to Watch the 2026 Formula 1 Season for Free: Complete Streaming Guide
The 2026 Formula 1 season marks the 77th edition of the championship, bringing major regulation changes that have injected unprecedented uncertainty into the grid. With Mercedes showing early dominance before McLaren seized the advantage—and Lando Norris defending his title after McLaren claimed the 2025 Constructors’ Championship—every race weekend carries high stakes. For fans in the United States, the viewing landscape has shifted dramatically: Apple TV+ now holds exclusive rights to every session.
Apple TV+ Offers First-Ever Free F1 Race Weekend in the U.S.
In a historic move for American motorsport viewers, Apple TV+ will stream the entire Austrian Grand Prix weekend—June 26–28—live and free to anyone in the U.S., with no subscription required. The free access covers all sessions: practice, qualifying, and Sunday’s Grand Prix. This marks the first time a full F1 race weekend has been available at no cost on the platform.
2026 F1 Calendar: 24 Grands Prix Across Six Continents
The season spans March through December with 24 events. Six weekends—China, Miami, Canada, Britain, Netherlands, and Singapore—will feature Sprint races. Key dates include:
- Australian Grand Prix – March 8
- Chinese Grand Prix – March 15 (Sprint)
- Japanese Grand Prix – March 29
- Miami Grand Prix – May 3 (Sprint)
- Canadian Grand Prix – May 24 (Sprint)
- Monaco Grand Prix – June 7
- Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix – June 14
- Austrian Grand Prix – June 28 (Free on Apple TV+)
- British Grand Prix – July 5 (Sprint)
- Belgian Grand Prix – July 19
- Hungarian Grand Prix – July 26
- Dutch Grand Prix – August 23 (Sprint)
- Italian Grand Prix – September 6
- Spanish Grand Prix – September 13
- Azerbaijan Grand Prix – September 26
- Singapore Grand Prix – October 11 (Sprint)
- United States Grand Prix – October 25
- Mexico City Grand Prix – November 1
- São Paulo Grand Prix – November 8
- Las Vegas Grand Prix – November 21
- Qatar Grand Prix – November 29
- Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – December 6
How to Stream F1 for Free Using Apple TV+ Trials
Beyond the free Austrian GP, three Apple trial strategies let you watch additional race weekends without paying—if you time them carefully and meet eligibility requirements.
1. Apple TV+ 7-Day Free Trial
New subscribers receive a 7-day free trial. Sign up ahead of a race weekend, stream every session live, and cancel before the trial ends to avoid the $12.99/month charge. This works for isolated weekends but isn’t a season-long solution.
2. Apple TV+ via Prime Video Channels – 7-Day Free Trial
Amazon Prime members can add Apple TV+ as a Prime Video Channel and activate a separate 7-day trial. After the trial, the add-on costs £9.99/month (U.S. pricing typically $9.99/month). Cancel anytime through your Prime Video settings. This route lets you watch via the Prime Video app on more devices.
3. Apple One 30-Day Free Trial
Apple One bundles Apple TV+, Apple Music, Apple Arcade, Apple Fitness+, Apple News+, and 50 GB of iCloud storage for $19.95/month after a one-month free trial. A well-timed sign-up could cover up to four race weekends. You must be a new or returning subscriber to each included service to qualify.
Pro Tip: Three Months Free with New Apple Hardware
The longest free access comes from purchasing any eligible Apple device—iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple TV. New and returning subscribers get three months of Apple TV+ free, activated within 90 days of device setup. That window covers a significant portion of the 2026 calendar.
Bottom Line
For U.S. fans, Apple TV+ is the only legal home of live Formula 1 in 2026. The Austrian Grand Prix weekend is freely accessible to all. For the rest of the season, stack free trials strategically—Apple TV+ direct, Prime Video Channels, and Apple One—to watch multiple race weekends at zero cost. Just set calendar reminders to cancel before each trial converts to a paid subscription.
