After a three-week break, Formula 1 returns this weekend with the highlight of the motorsport landing in Montreal, Canada.
In the US, Apple has exclusive streaming rights for all of F1, so you normally need an Apple TV subscription to watch. However, this weekend is an exception, as Apple has struck a special deal with Netflix that will see the race also broadcast on the rival streamer.
In a direct exchange, Apple and Netflix have negotiated so that the final season of Drive to Survive will be available on Apple TV in the United States. In exchange, Netflix obtained the rights to simulcast the Canadian race, the first time Netflix has broadcast a full race live.
That means Apple TV and Netflix subscribers in the US can tune in to catch all the action. The Canadian GP is a sprint weekend, which means there are even more races than usual, with competitive sessions spanning Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The schedule is as follows:
- Free practice: Friday, May 22, 12 p.m. ET
- Sprint Qualifying: Friday, May 22, 4 p.m. ET
- Sprint: Saturday, May 23, 11 a.m. ET
- Qualifying: Saturday, May 23, 3 p.m. ET
- Race: Sunday, May 24, 3 p.m. ET
On Apple TV, workouts can be viewed for free. Qualifying, sprinting and racing require a subscription. Coverage of the Canadian F1 GP on Netflix is available on any plan for US members.
How to watch F1 on Apple TV
You can watch F1 on Apple TV using an Apple TV subscription; New signups can get a free seven-day trial here. There are no additional fees beyond the standard $12.99/month Apple TV subscription to watch F1.
You can get the Apple TV app on myriad devices and platforms, including smart TVs, Amazon Fire Stick, Roku, PlayStation, Xbox, and more. There is also an Android app and web experience at tv.apple.com to watch in a web browser.
Apple streams F1 in 4K HDR video quality with surround sound, providing an excellent visual and audio experience.
There is a dedicated Formula 1 tab in the Apple TV app experience, so it’s very easy to find. Note, however, that this is only available to US subscribers. And Apple hosts on-demand replays so you don’t have to watch live.
However, the best way to watch live is with an Apple TV 4K set-top box or an iPad. On Apple TV Box or iPad, you can watch using Multiview, which means viewing multiple angles at once when the race is live. You can follow the on-board cameras of your favorite drivers or teams and get a split-screen of the main race feed and podium battles.
For even more features, you can also link your Apple TV subscription to an F1.TV account and access F1 through the F1.TV app. This is aimed at die-hard fans who need even more features to view stats or additional content that Apple doesn’t show directly through the TV app.
Apple is also extending the F1 experience beyond video streams. You can follow a radio show through Apple Music Radio or watch live schedules in the Apple Sports app, all for free.
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