If you own an iPhone, and sometimes, even if you didn't, there was no escaping notifications about the 2026 F1 season starting up. Regardless of how annoyed you might have been, the launch was flawless and powered by every bit of Apple's ecosystem.

I'm going to start off by saying I'm new to F1. I wanted to try out the sport since it is included with Apple TV.

The F1 movie was also a strong motivator, as it helped reawaken my dormant love of racing.

The F1 race on Sunday, March 8, started late Eastern Time since it took place in Melbourne, Australia. You could participate by listening on Apple Music One Radio or watching live on Apple TV.

Both offered interesting experiences whether you wanted to get the full multi-view experience or could only keep track via audio. Apple really leaned into its wider ecosystem offering to promote, air, and participate in the race.

An ecosystem-wide effort

I chose to watch the race via the Apple TV app on the Apple TV set-top box. It allowed up to six multi-view windows, though I stuck with three.

Two iPhones displaying Formula 1 content: left shows Apple Music Radio Australia Race artwork, right shows a live race leaderboard with drivers Leclerc, Russell, Hamilton and race lap details.

F1 showed up in Apple Music, Apple Sports, Apple News, and Apple Maps

I liked the Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli from what I saw of him in Drive to Survive, which I got to watch on Apple TV courtesy of Netflix. So, I followed his vehicle's onboard camera, the live track position animation, and the main broadcast.

This setup was also possible on Apple Vision Pro, but felt rather limiting given the platform. It showed the same 2D layout of the same set of up to six windows on Apple Vision Pro.

I couldn't split out the windows or have multiple full-sized windows floating around me like a command center. Instead, it was locked into the same aspect ratio used on a television.

I suppose you could go to IMAX instead.

If I wasn't watching on Apple TV, the Apple Music One stream provided live commentary. Combine that with Apple Sports and Live Activities, and you could easily keep track of the race without viewing a screen.

Apple Maps view of Melbourne Formula 1 pit building and paddock area beside racetrack, with parked race cars, grandstands opposite, surrounding trees and large MELBOURNE lettering across the roof

Apple Maps gained new landmarks for F1 tracks

That day, Apple News featured F1 banners and a special F1 Apple News Puzzles collection. There was also a collection of special playlists in Apple Music.

I covered Apple's wider F1 promotion efforts previously. It even included a Guide and new animated landmarks in Apple Maps.

F1 was inescapable, whether you like the sport or not.

I've also seen reports from across social media that F1 was being favorited in Apple Sports randomly. While it could easily be a bug, it's an unfortunately frustrating experience.

Great for F1 fans

The broadcast itself was flawless and crisp. Like when Apple started streaming Friday Night Baseball, the F1 race was coming through uncompressed and clear in a way I'm not used to seeing for live sports broadcasts.

A small cat sits in silhouette in front of a TV showing the F1 broadcast

F1 is cat approved, okay, maybe just Marble

Apple did have its logo shown in the corner, and the short ad saying Apple is the new home of F1 played repeatedly. But otherwise, there was little outward sign of the company.

Perhaps it is still early, but I do remember the first MLB game Apple streamed where commentators wore AirPods Max. Too bad they don't make a model with H2 chips capable of offering hearing protection features.

Like with MLS, it is clear that Apple having complete distribution rights for a sport in the United States leads to some interesting features. However, it also means that every iPhone user that doesn't care about F1 now has to be bombarded with it.

It is easier than ever to watch an F1 race, replays, highlights, and bonus content. Apple Sports, Apple News, and Apple Music are all excellent resources for even more F1 content.

I'm happy that Apple is spreading out to apply some of its ecosystem magic to other areas. Though there is an obvious problem with the potential of advertising creep that can ruin the Apple experience for some.

Apple has to strike a delicate balance.

These kinds of integrations and products don't offend me. I'm quite happy with seeing what additional benefits I can get from my Apple products and services. For those that aren't a simple off toggle (that works), would suffice.

I've quite enjoyed these past few weeks of exploring F1 and the start of the 2026 season. I grew up watching NASCAR with my family, and I was always a fan of movies like Fast and Furious and games like Gran Turismo, so it makes sense why I'd enjoy F1.

If Apple bought the rights to a bowling league and put a notification on my lock screen, I'm not sure I'd be happy. Let's hope Apple doesn't lean too far in the wrong direction.