The streaming wars just got a lot more interesting for Formula 1 fans. Apple has reportedly thrown down a massive $150 million offer to steal F1’s U.S. broadcasting rights away from ESPN, setting up what could be the biggest shake-up in American motorsports viewing since Netflix changed everything with “Drive to Survive.”

Why Has Apple’s Offer Gotten the Formula 1 Racing World Excited?

While there has been no official confirmation yet, Apple’s rumored bid of $150 million per year has undoubtedly stirred up some talk in the motorsport world. Meanwhile, in the U.S. Apple’s bid is almost double ESPN’s current deal, ESPN has only been paying around $85 million to Liberty Media (F1’s parent company) for F1’s streaming rights. The tech giant is trying to capitalize on the recent success of the F1 movie.

Was holding this for tonight’s email, but since it’s out there:

Apple offered Liberty $150 million per year for F1 U.S. rights, per sources—the lower end of $150-200 million range I reported earlier.

ESPN, which has been paying ~$85 million, will not match.

F1 going to Apple!

— Dylan Byers (@DylanByers) July 11, 2025

The idea of F1 switching to a streaming-only platform like Apple TV+ has sparked many reactions from racing fans. Many are excited about the potential for better technology and a different broadcast experience. After all, Apple did help produce the F1 movie, and fans are hoping that some of that magic will carry over into live race coverage.

However, there’s a lot of concern about accessibility. Many F1 races are broadcast early in the morning for U.S. fans, which is already a significant concern for the sport. Fans are unsure if changing the platform would make much of a difference to the viewership numbers. Apple already streams Major League Soccer and some MLB games, but F1 would be its most significant and boldest step in the sports streaming world.

For many fans in the U.S., ESPN has been the home for Formula 1 races since 2018. Before that, NBC held the rights, when they weren’t expensive. In fact, ESPN initially got the rights for free. But times have changed, thanks to Netflix’s “Drive to Survive,” which increased F1’s U.S. popularity massively, and increased its price tag.

What Are NASCAR Fans Saying About This Deal?

Some NASCAR fans have reacted quickly to the news on social media. One fan commented, “Good riddance” while another wrote, “And just like that any pressure NASCAR was feeling in the US market is gone.” Another sarcastically wrote, “apple tv essentially killed any media growth the MLS had for the past half decade so that’s definitely a good sign for f1 right.”

Another fan had a different opinion, saying, “Pressure is still going to be there. Even if not always in the form of TV viewership. It will be there in terms of branding, sponsorship, activation, and social media interactions. F1 will still have pressure on NASCAR in the States”

Some fans brought up what happened with MLS. After moving to Apple, the sport reportedly saw a drop in viewership numbers. This has some fans worried that F1 might follow a similar path.

Apple’s offer shows just how valuable F1 has become in the U.S. Even if it doesn’t work out, it’s clear that the business aspect of motorsports is changing fast. Fans wait to see if this deal works out in favor of F1 and whether NASCAR benefits from it in some manner.