Apple’s US F1 deal won’t affect Netflix’s “Drive to Survive”, says tech giant

Apple has reassured fans that Netflix’s Drive to Survive will remain part of the Formula 1 ecosystem as it becomes the championship’s exclusive US broadcaster from 2026.

Asked whether the new partnership would affect the popular docuseries, Apple’s senior vice president Eddy Cue confirmed that the tech brand will be fully supportive of Netflix’s production.

“No, no, we’d like… Netflix is highly available on all of our platforms and they’re a great partner to Apple and we love the fact that they’re doing Drive to Survive, and I think we’ll drive more viewers to them and they’ll drive more viewers to us, so that’s a win-win for both of us.”

This was said alongside Derek Chang, CEO of Liberty Media, and F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, as they outlined how Apple would slot in alongside the championship’s current stakeholders.

“I think the journey’s been an incredible one over the last 10 years – and I think we are at the culmination of another step of this journey,” Chang said. “I think Drive to Survive certainly took it a whole other step in terms of who was able to access the F1 story and the F1 narrative, and that’s been phenomenal.

Eddy Cue speaks during Autosport Business Exchange New York, a Motorsport Network event at Classic Car Club Manhattan on October 15, 2025 in New York City.

Photo by: Pamela Smith/Getty Images

“And as we sort of look forward to today and going forward, it’s about understanding what the audiences are. They’re younger, more diverse, more digitally savvy… Apple is sort of a perfect partner in that respect.”

He added, “So I think, to sort of sum it all up, we have two great brands, two great platforms, two phenomenal executives up here that I’m sitting with. And, you know, these guys, pressure’s on, but I think I have full confidence that they’re going to deliver on sort of what we set out to do.”

Domenicali outlined the difference in Apple’s approach to third-party programming compared to other broadcasters he had been in contact with.

“That was a point where I remember very well talking with Ian [Holmes, F1’s chief media rights and broadcasting officer] and there was some of the broadcasters who were worried when Drive to Survive was introduced.

“Actually, now it’s the other way around, is understanding that the world is big, the potential offer that everyone is working with us can bring to the others as a benefit, this is really big, so it’s just a matter of integrating the different pieces together. That’s why the answer was straightforward to say no.”