Apple Goes All In On F1

Apple goes all in on F1 and in this week’s Business of Motorsport Roundup I have the analysis on the implications of the move. I also have details on newfound investor interest in MotoGP teams, the state of F1 governance and the latest motorsport legal news.

Overview

Motorsport Industry News

Apple Goes All In On F1

Apple becomes broadcast partner for Formula 1 in the United States

Formula 1 announced a five-year deal with Apple. The partnership will begin next season. In addition to showing Formula 1 on Apple TV, Apple will amplify the sport across Apple News, Apple Maps, Apple Music, Apple Sports, and Apple Fitness+.

This new broadcast agreement will see Apple TV host all practice, qualifying, Sprint sessions, and Grands Prix. Select races, and all practice sessions throughout the season will also be available to watch for free in the Apple TV app. F1 TV Premium, F1’s own premier content offering, will continue to be available in the U.S. via an Apple TV subscription only and will be free for those who subscribe.

How this will affect F1 viewing numbers in the United States remains to be seen as Apple TV coverage is less than what was available under former broadcast partner ESPN. Here is a roundup of coverage on the deal and how it may impact F1, Apple and motorsport fans both in the U.S. and potentially beyond.

Wall Street analyst: Fruits from Apple deal more about long term than short term for F1

Stock market analysts are weighing in on the deal between two publicly traded companies in Formula 1 and Apple, with one pointing out that any material upside for F1 is more likely to be realized in the long term than short term, Sports Business Journal’s Adam Stern reports.

Morgan Stanley’s head of U.S. media research, Benjamin Swinburne, who has an overweight rating and price target of $110 for F1’s stock, released a new note on Monday on the Apple deal, according to Investing.com. Swinburne explained that the average annual value of the new Apple deal, which begins in 2026, is essentially flat at 1.1x the current ESPN deal, which goes through 2025, when factoring in lost revenue from F1 TV in the U.S.

How F1 Broadcasting Became a Billion-Dollar Business

Stuart Codling explains how F1 TV became a billion dollar business. “If the fingers-in-the-air guesstimations are correct, Apple’s new five-year deal to carry Formula 1 on its streaming platform is worth around $140million a year. Now, imagine a world in which broadcasting grands prix on TV was considered irksome and even damaging to the business.”

Motorsport Chiefs Highlight TV Rights as Key to American Interest 

Executives from MotoGP, NASCAR, and IndyCar discussed the importance of a strong broadcast presence during the Autosport Business Exchange: New York. As part of the programming, a panel of influential names from NASCAR, IndyCar, and MotoGP discussed what they felt were key reasons behind the general spike in interest in the U.S.

F1 US GP to Remain at COTA With New Deal Through 2034

The United States Grand Prix will remain a fixture on the Formula 1 calendar for the next decade after the Circuit of the Americas agreed a new eight-year extension. The new deal ensures the event will stay in Austin, Texas, until at least 2034.

Circuit of the Americas also unveiled a new luxury club that includes a fitness center and racing simulators. Take a look.

F1 Agrees More Relief for Struggling 2026 Power Unit Manufacturers

Formula 1 and the FIA have agreed more mechanisms to allow any power unit manufacturer struggling under the 2026 regulations to address their issues. “The most significant of these changes related to the ADUO concept (Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities), which is intended to provide greater development opportunities for PU manufacturers who find themselves significantly behind their competition in terms of performance,” the FIA announced.

Lewis Hamilton Named World’s Most Marketable Athlete for 2025

Apple Goes All In On F1

Formula One superstar Lewis Hamilton has been named the world’s most marketable athlete for a second time after topping SportsPro’s 16th annual list of the world’s 50 Most Marketable Athletes (50MM).

The seven-time world champion races back to the top of the rankings, which were once again compiled in partnership with NorthStar Solutions Group, having last featured at number one in 2014.

For those interested in the reasons why, these two articles explain:

Dozen-Plus Investors Looking at Equity Deals in MotoGP Teams

Sports Business Journal is reporting that investors are increasingly exploring deals in MotoGP now that Liberty Media has officially purchased the property, according to series executive Dan Rossomondo and other industry sources familiar with the matter.

“Keen to be early-bird investors, around 20 individuals and groups have inquired in recent months about the two-wheeled circuit, which is much cheaper to invest in at the moment because its popularity still trails F1 considerably by most metrics, including team valuations in the eight-figure range.”

Mark Miles Teases Possible Non-Championship International IndyCar Events

Indycar boss Mike Myles says that the series is considering some non-championship international Indycar races in the future. “We’re working on exactly how to take advantage of the opportunity, but it opens an opportunity because we’ve decided to end our North American championship when the NFL regular season games start [in September]. That means we’ve got a long off season at the end of the year. And we know we have significant fans internationally.”

Tim Mayer Withdraws from FIA Presidential Race as he Blasts ‘Illusion of Democracy’

Tim Mayer has withdrawn from the race to become FIA president, after failing to receive the sufficient support required to challenge incumbent Mohammed Ben Sulayem. “There will be no vote between ideas, no contest of visions, no test of leadership. There will be only one candidate and that’s not democracy — that’s the illusion of democracy. We will continue to speak out for those who cannot and we will not rest until every Member Club feels free to speak for itself.”

Quick Takes on the Business of Motorsport This Week

Apple Goes All In On F1
Apple Goes All In On F1
Apple Goes All In On F1

Highlights from the Sustainable Motorsport Roundup

F1 Under Pressure Over Aramco Sponsorship

Aramco F1 sponsorship

Formula 1 is under pressure over its Aramco sponsorship and in this week’s Sustainable Motorsport Roundup you will find out why. I also have news on FIA’s new e-karting initiative, regulations over sustainable energy in motorsport and much more!

The Numbers This Week

Apple Goes All In On F1

Motorsport Law Roundup

As Trial Looms, NASCAR-Jordan Feud May Reshape U.S. Motorsports

23XI + Front Row Motorsports

It’s been a year since 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports sued NASCAR and its CEO, Jim France, for alleged antitrust violations. The move sparked a multifaceted and contentious legal controversy, with the future of auto racing in America hanging in the balance.

As the litigation passes the one-year mark and a federal jury trial scheduled for Dec. 1 approaches, Sportico takes stock of the case and considers what might happen if a trial occurs.

The case is not simply about 23XI and Front Row accusing NASCAR of misconduct. It also involves a countersuit by NASCAR. The association insists that 23XI, Front Row and Polk engineered an “illegal cartel” and threatened a group boycott. As NASCAR spins it, 23XI and Front Row didn’t only reject charters but “embarked on a strategy to threaten, coerce and extort NASCAR into meeting their demands for better contract and financial terms.”

It’s possible that the parties will reach a settlement before Dec. 1. They have tried mediation before longtime sports attorney Jeffrey A. Mishkin and most recently before Bell, but those sessions didn’t yield a resolution. The trial would be before a jury of North Carolinians.

Driver Advisory Council Files Brief Over Concerns About NASCAR Lawsuit Resolution

The Drivers Advisory Council filed a brief in federal court last Tuesday in the antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR that offers the position of the drivers as the future of the sport hangs in the balance.

“The drivers have always been the focal point for the fans,” the brief states. “To have any discussion or negotiation about the future of the sport without the drivers having an independent voice and being heard is unproductive. The DAC submits this amicus brief to provide the unique perspective and position of the drivers.”

NC Judge Dubious Of NASCAR’s ‘Cartel’ Counterclaims

A North Carolina federal judge appeared skeptical Thursday of letting NASCAR bring to trial its antitrust counterclaims against a pair of stock car racing teams, one owned by retired NBA legend Michael Jordan, questioning how the teams could have colluded to force more favorable contract terms when there seems to be evidence NASCAR was able to negotiate with them individually.

US Department Potentially Investigating FIA

In his latest Green Notebook, Joe Saward reports of the potential investigation of the FIA by the United States Department of Justice.

“It is hard to imagine that any of this amounts to good governance but I did hear a whisper that the US Department of Justice is beginning to investigate some of these goings on. Again, it is hard to know if this is true, but I did hear that some FIA people have been issued with subpoenas… If everything was democratic and transparent we would probably know these things.”

The Indianapolis Bar Association is presenting a webinar on November 20th on Navigating the World of Motorsports Law. From the IBA website:

Motorsports law covers everything from contracts and sponsorships, to compliance, risk management, and intellectual property, drawing in lawyers from a wide range of practice areas. In this program, experienced attorneys will share how their involvement in motorsports has influenced their careers and offer practical strategies for building and supporting clients.

Key Takeaways:

  • Identify the primary areas of practice for motorsports lawyers
  • Distinguish between non-firm, large-firm, solo/small firm, and in-house motorsports practices
  • Evaluate strategies for attorneys to develop motorsports clients
  • Learn about the professional development and networking benefits of The Racing Attorney Conference 2026 (TRAC)

We hope you’ll join us online for this insightful webinar! The program also provides attorneys an opportunity to learn more about the field of motorsports law before considering attending TRAC in April. Next year’s conference will be held in Daytona Beach, Florida, and is already shaping up to be our best one yet!

Featuring: Dion Davi, Davi Law Group; Kyle Fairchild, Penske Entertainment Corp.; Jimmie McMillian, Indianapolis Motor Speedway; Mark Owens, Barnes & Thornburg LLP; Sabrina Thomas, Amos James Strategies LLC

Full details can be found here.

Recently announced has been the launch of Three Points, a pioneering tech-enabled law firm that will seamlessly integrate artificial intelligence and cutting-edge technologies throughout every client engagement. The firm is positioned to serve a diverse portfolio of clients, from high-profile sports organizations, professionals and entrepreneurs to established technology and sports technology businesses.

Motorsport Sponsorship, Partnership News and Analysis

Apple Goes All In On F1
Apple Goes All In On F1
Apple Goes All In On F1
Apple Goes All In On F1

The Business of Running a Race Team

Cadillac F1 Boss Reveals How They’re Secretly Building a Superteam | Graeme Lowdon

Apple Goes All In On F1

Team & Manufacturer News

Apple Goes All In On F1
Apple Goes All In On F1

Motorsport Movers & Shakers

INDY NXT Director Kirk Dooley

Apple Goes All In On F1

Kirk Dooley became director of INDY NXT by Firestone this past April, overseeing all operations and competition for INDYCAR’s developmental series. The series prepares drivers, engineers, and other team personnel for the flagship NTT INDYCAR SERIES. PRI profiles the Indy NXT director here.

“One challenge and core goal is evolving INDY NXT by Firestone from a traditionally pay-to-play series into a more commercially sustainable championship, and to help teams and drivers be less reliant on their own budgets.”

Mark Boudreau
Author: Mark Boudreau

Mark is the publisher of Motorsport Prospects. As a lawyer, he applies his legal background and research skills to assist race drivers by showcasing the resources they need to make their motorsport careers happen.

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