What You Need to Watch F1 on Apple TV

To watch Formula 1 on Apple TV, you need an active subscription to MLS Season Pass, which is Apple TV's sports bundle that includes live F1 races. This is separate from a standard Apple TV+ subscription — you cannot watch F1 through the regular Apple TV+ catalog. You also need a compatible device: an Apple TV box (4K or HD model), an iPhone, iPad, Mac, or a smart TV with the Apple TV app installed.

The MLS Season Pass costs $14.99 per month or $99 per year, and it includes not only Formula 1 but also Major League Soccer matches and other sports content. You can start and stop the subscription at any time — there is no contract. If you already have an Apple TV+ subscription, the MLS Season Pass is an add-on you purchase separately through the same Apple account.

F1 races are broadcast live during the race weekend, which typically falls on Sunday mornings in North America. may have access to sessions and practice sessions are also included, though not all of them may be live-streamed depending on your region and the race calendar.

Key Takeaways

  • MLS Season Pass is the subscription tier that includes Formula 1 races on Apple TV, and it costs $14.99 per month or $99 per year.
  • You can watch on Apple TV boxes, iPhones, iPads, Macs, or compatible smart TVs using the Apple TV app.
  • F1 races stream live on Sunday mornings during the race season, with may have access to and practice sessions also included.
  • You can cancel MLS Season Pass at any time without penalty, and the subscription is separate from a standard Apple TV+ account.

Setting Up MLS Season Pass on Your Device

Start by opening the Apple TV app on your device. If you do not have it installed, read it from your device's app store. Sign in with your Apple ID — use the same account you plan to use for the subscription.

Once you are signed in, navigate to the Sports or Subscriptions section of the app. Look for MLS Season Pass and tap or click on it. You will see the price ($14.99/month or $99/year) and a button to subscribe. Tap Subscribe and confirm your purchase. Your payment method will be charged when ready, and the subscription will renew on the same date each month or year depending on which plan you chose.

After you subscribe, the MLS Season Pass content becomes available in your library. You can find upcoming F1 races by going to the Sports section or searching for "Formula 1" directly in the app's search bar.

Finding and Watching Live F1 Races

Once your MLS Season Pass is active, open the Apple TV app and navigate to the Sports section. You will see a schedule of upcoming F1 races listed by date and time. Tap on the race you want to watch, and you will see details including the start time in your local time zone, the circuit name, and whether it is a practice session, may have access to, or the main race.

On race day, open the app a few minutes before the scheduled start time. Tap the race listing, and a Watch Now button will appear. Tap it to begin the live stream. The broadcast typically includes pre-race coverage, the race itself, and post-race analysis. You can pause, rewind, or fast-forward through the stream on most devices, though live races cannot be rewound until after they finish.

If you miss a live race, most races are available as on-demand replays within a few hours after the broadcast ends. You can find replays in the same Sports section where live races appear.

Watching on Different Apple Devices

On an Apple TV box, use your remote to navigate the app. The experience is the same as on other devices — open the app, go to Sports, find your race, and tap Watch Now. The picture quality depends on your internet connection and your TV's resolution; a 4K Apple TV box can stream in 4K if your internet speed supports it.

On an iPhone or iPad, the Apple TV app works identically. Tap the race and watch full-screen or in a window while using other apps. You can also use AirPlay to send the video from your iPhone or iPad to an Apple TV box or AirPlay-compatible smart TV if you prefer a larger screen.

On a Mac, open the Apple TV app from your Applications folder or Launchpad. The interface is the same, and you can watch in a window or go full-screen. On a smart TV with the Apple TV app built in (Samsung, LG, Sony, and others), open the app directly on the TV and sign in with your Apple ID. The app will remember your subscription and show you the same Sports section with F1 races available.

Internet Speed and Streaming Quality

To stream F1 races without constant buffering, Apple recommends at least 5 Mbps for HD quality and 15 Mbps for 4K quality. You can check your internet speed using a free speed test tool on any web browser. If your speed is lower than recommended, try moving closer to your router, reducing the number of other devices using your network during the race, or restarting your modem and router.

If you experience buffering during a race, the app will automatically lower the video quality to match your connection speed. You can also manually adjust the streaming quality in the app's settings. On most devices, go to Settings within the Apple TV app, then look for Video Quality or Streaming Quality and select a lower option if needed.

For the most reliable experience, use a wired ethernet connection if your device supports it, or position your device close to a strong Wi-Fi signal. Avoid streaming other content on your network during the race.

Troubleshooting Common Streaming Problems

If the race does not appear in your Sports section, first confirm that your MLS Season Pass subscription is active. Go to Account Settings in the Apple TV app and check your active subscriptions. If MLS Season Pass is listed and active, sign out of the app completely, wait 30 seconds, and sign back in. This often refreshes the content catalog.

If the stream keeps stopping or buffering, restart the Apple TV app by closing it completely and reopening it. If that does not work, restart your device. Restart your internet router as well — unplug it for 10 seconds, then plug it back in and wait for it to fully restart before trying again.

If you see an error message saying you are not authorized to watch the content, sign out of your Apple ID, wait a minute, and sign back in. If the problem persists, check that you are using the same Apple ID that purchased the MLS Season Pass subscription. You cannot watch on a different Apple ID than the one that bought the pass.

Canceling Your Subscription

You can cancel MLS Season Pass at any time without penalty. On an iPhone or iPad, go to Settings on your device, tap your name at the top, select Subscriptions, find MLS Season Pass, and tap Cancel Subscription. On a Mac, open System Settings, click your name, go to Subscriptions, find MLS Season Pass, and click Edit then Cancel.

On an Apple TV box, go to Settings, select Users and Accounts, choose your account, go to Subscriptions, find MLS Season Pass, and select Cancel Subscription. On a smart TV, the process varies by manufacturer, but typically involves going to the app's settings or your account settings within the Apple TV app itself.

Your access ends when ready after you cancel, so if you want to watch a race that weekend, cancel after the race finishes rather than before. You can resubscribe at any time if you want to watch future races.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I watch F1 on a regular Apple TV+ subscription?

No. Formula 1 is only available through MLS Season Pass, which is a separate subscription from Apple TV+. You need to purchase MLS Season Pass in addition to or instead of Apple TV+ to watch F1 races.

Do I need to watch races live, or can I watch them later?

You can watch races live or on-demand. Most races are available as replays within a few hours after the broadcast ends. You can watch replays at any time during your subscription, so you do not have to be available on Sunday morning.

What if my internet goes out during a race?

If your connection drops, the stream will pause. Once your internet is back, open the app again and tap the race. Most races can be resumed from where you stopped, though live races cannot be rewound until after they finish.

Can I share my MLS Season Pass with family members?

Yes, if they use the same Apple ID and are on the same iCloud Family Sharing plan. Each person can watch on their own device simultaneously. If they have a different Apple ID, they need their own MLS Season Pass subscription.

Is the commentary in English only?

Apple TV typically offers English commentary for F1 races in North America. Audio language options may vary by region and race. Check the race details in the app before it starts to see what audio tracks are available.