Apple celebrated strong viewership for the Australian Grand Prix, the first race of the 2026 F1 season on Apple TV. Services SVP Eddy Cue reported viewership exceeded both F1 and Apple expectations, with numbers surpassing ESPN's coverage from the previous year. The debut race marked Apple's entry into full F1 season streaming.

The success extended beyond the race itself, as Apple's ecosystem-wide push helped the Sports app achieve its biggest week ever. Cue attributes the performance to Apple's significant marketing efforts and the popularity of the recent F1 movie. Apple is treating F1 as a priority internally, signaling a deeper commitment to the sport.

The growing attention around F1 in the United States has already prompted development of a sequel movie, with Lewis Hamilton confirming a script is in progress. However, the second race in Shanghai begins at 3 a.m. ET, presenting a challenge for American viewership that could impact future audience metrics.