On January 22, according to a report published by AppleInsider on January 21, Apple’s Global Head of Sports, Jim DeLorenzo, revealed at the Autosport Business Exchange in London that Apple’s partnership with Formula 1 is set to break away from the traditional boundaries of sports streaming.
DeLorenzo made it clear that Apple does not view its exclusive U.S. broadcasting rights for Formula 1 starting in 2026 as a conventional streaming deal. Rather than following the standard “license and distribute” model, Apple is pursuing a far more comprehensive and strategic collaboration.
He emphasized that this initiative is not being led solely by Apple Sports or Apple Video. Instead, it represents a deep alignment with “the entire Apple company.” This means Apple will mobilize its full technological ecosystem—spanning hardware, software, and platforms—to work closely with F1 teams and drivers, driving growth on both commercial and technical fronts.
To bring this vision to life, Apple plans to integrate its hardware innovations directly into the broadcast workflow. DeLorenzo cited Major League Baseball (MLB) as an example, noting that Apple had already used the iPhone as a live broadcast camera—successfully demonstrating how consumer-grade devices can enhance professional production quality.
He suggested that similar “technology experiments” will become standard practice in Formula 1 broadcasts starting in 2026. Signs of this future are already emerging. At Red Bull Racing’s recent 2026 season launch event, footage captured on iPhone was featured in the broadcast, while technical demonstrations showcased Apple Vision Pro—hinting that spatial computing could play a central role in the next generation of race viewing experiences.
The report notes that Apple rarely discusses business plans years in advance outside of product launches or earnings calls. By addressing team executives and media partners directly, DeLorenzo sent a clear message to the industry: Apple is ready to take over from ESPN and position itself as the dominant force behind Formula 1 broadcasting in the U.S. market.
