The CEO of Apple's streaming partner and F1 owner Liberty Media says that Apple's partnership is already energizing fans and reshaping how the sport reaches viewers.
In a new CNBC interview, Liberty Media's CEO, Derek Chang, sat down to talk about Apple's role in the F1 broadcast ecosystem. Chang seemed excited to discuss Liberty Media's nascent partnership with Apple.
"We have a great relationship with Apple," Chang said enthusiastically. "As you know, they came out with "F1 The Movie" this summer, which did $650 million at the gate... I think it brought in new fans, and ... continued the energy for existing fans."
Apple's ability to bring in new fans likely helped to solidify its position to take over streaming rights.
"I think that Apple, with what they can do from a technology standpoint, will really enhance the product and therefore the content and the whole experience," Chang said. He also said he believed that the partnership would continue to drive awareness of the sport.
When asked if he thought Apple could make a play for global streaming rights, Chang, predictably, played it cool.
"I think Apple will be very active," he told CNBC. "We're in discussions with them on a multiple set of fronts. It's still very early, and I think we view it as a very strong partnership that we could see it happening in other places. But... nothing specific right now."
Liberty Media has owned F1 since 2017, and previously held a contract with ESPN as the sole US streamer. In 2024, when the rights came up for renewal, ESPN let the contract lapse.
Apple swooped in and secured streaming rights in mid-October 2025. The five-year contract allows Apple to stream all practice, qualifying, Sprint sessions, and Grands Prix to Apple TV subscribers.
