The upcoming Formula One season is one of the most anticipated campaigns ever in the sport. Lewis Hamilton moved to Ferrari in 2025, coupled with potential fights in both the driver's championship and the constructor's title, will be able to enter the book as one of his ages this season.
It may also be the last season that ESPN has F1 broadcasting rights in the US.
According to John O'Hand's report Pack Newsnetwork president Jimmy Pitaro has informed F1 that ESPN will not renew its rights to broadcast F1 in the US at the end of the current deal. The rights agreement ended following the 2025 campaign, under which the network had paid about $90 million per season.
In accordance with that rights agreement, ESPN aired Sky Sports' Formula One coverage, but sends talent to American races such as the Miami Grand Prix and Austin's US Grand Prix.
Earlier this month, it was reported that Netflix is interested in securing AIR F1 rights in the US. Drive to survive. ”
Apple has also been mentioned as a potential landing position for F1, and NBC is another possibility. NBC had aired F1 before the ESPN trade and was able to see its return to F1 when IndyCar moved from NBC to Fox.
Still, ESPN has one last year to air F1 here in the US, and as mentioned above, it could be a ridiculous final season with no shortage of storylines.
But 2026 may be just as convincing given the introduction of a new set of technical regulations that could shake up the entire sport.
Where this season will air here in the US is now debatable.
