Imax and Apple TV will broadcast live Formula 1 races to U.S. movie theaters, showing five Grands Prix (Miami, Monaco, Silverstone, Monza, Austin) across at least 50 locations. The move expands F1 coverage beyond TV to immersive, big-screen viewing, following the success of the film F1: The Movie and its Imax performance.
The first week of Bahrain testing for F1’s 2026 rules showed Mercedes, Ferrari, McLaren and Red Bull at the head of the field, but the order is far from settled as teams acclimate to the new regulations and aero concepts. Alpine, Haas and Williams form the tight midfield, with Williams logging a high mileage tally and notable reliability. A second midfield group includes Racing Bulls and Audi, both still developing their cars, while Aston Martin’s pace remains a concern—Lance Stroll said the AMR26 was significantly off the pace and Honda power was overweight— and Cadillac debuted with solid reliability but sat just outside the top 10. Overall, teams urge caution and expect rapid evolution in the second Bahrain test before Melbourne.
Barcelona's closed‑door shakedown for F1's 2026 rules showed Mercedes as the early favorite after a trouble‑free, high‑mileage three days; McLaren and Ferrari posted promising progress while Red Bull's new engine program ran fairly smoothly aside from Isack Hadjar's crash, and Aston Martin and Williams faced notable hurdles as teams head to Bahrain and the next tests, with drivers praising the new energy-management and aero concepts.
Microsoft and the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team announced a multiyear partnership to embed cloud and AI across factory and race operations, leveraging Azure, GitHub, and Microsoft 365 to turn real-time sensor data (400+ sensors generating about 1.1 million data points per second) into faster, smarter decisions as Formula 1 enters a more electrified, sustainability-focused era.
Max Verstappen demonstrated his dominance in the 2025 F1 season despite narrowly missing out on a fifth consecutive title, showcasing exceptional skill and resilience. Lando Norris secured his first world championship, while other drivers like George Russell, Charles Leclerc, and Oscar Piastri delivered notable performances amid a season of technical changes and competitive racing. The season was marked by surprises, strategic team moves, and a strong display of driver talent across the grid.
George Russell will stay with Mercedes next season, with contract details unspecified, leaving open the possibility of pursuing Max Verstappen in 2027; Kimi Antonelli also signed a new deal, indicating Mercedes' stable driver lineup amid upcoming regulation changes.
Since 1989, F1 engine design has evolved from V12s to V10s, then V8s, and now V6 hybrids, driven by regulations aimed at reducing costs, emissions, and increasing technological innovation, with each transition reflecting a balance between power, efficiency, and practicality.
The Dutch Grand Prix at Circuit Zandvoort marks the resumption of the F1 season after a summer break, with key contenders including Oscar Piastri, Lando Norris, and Max Verstappen. The race is scheduled for August 31 at 9 a.m. ET and can be watched on ABC, DIRECTV, and ESPN, with options for free streaming via DIRECTV's free trial or bundled streaming services like ESPN+ and Disney+.
Brad Pitt's 'F1 The Movie' topped the box office with $55.6 million in the US and Canada, and $88 million internationally, marking Apple's first major box office success despite a high budget. The film benefited from a strong IMAX presence and positive reviews, signaling a promising future for Apple’s film ventures. Meanwhile, other movies like 'M3GAN 2.0' and 'Elio' underperformed, but the summer has overall been strong for family and genre films.
Brad Pitt stars as Sonny Hayes, a former F1 star turned gambler, in the film 'F1 the Movie' directed by Joseph Kosinski. The movie features intense racing scenes, a rivalry between Pitt's character and a younger driver, and explores themes of perseverance and passion for racing. It aims to be a high-quality addition to F1-themed films, blending action with emotional depth.
F1: THE MOVIE, a racing drama collaboration between Warner Bros. and Apple Original Films, is expected to open domestically between $48M and $60M, with strong overseas potential. The film, directed by Joseph Kosinski, aims to capitalize on the growing popularity of Formula One in the U.S. and the established fan base abroad, with its IMAX format release likely boosting premium ticket sales. Its performance will be influenced by upcoming major releases and the sport's global appeal.
The article discusses the making of the film 'F1' starring Brad Pitt, highlighting the challenges of translating Formula One racing into a movie, with insights from producer Jerry Bruckheimer and actors Javier Bardem and Damson Idris.
‘F1: The Movie’ is a Hollywood-style film with impressive visuals and sound that aims to showcase the excitement of Formula One to a broad audience, though it features predictable plotlines, some inauthentic racing scenes, and mixed portrayals of women in motorsport. It may attract new fans but risks alienating hardcore enthusiasts with its dramatized elements.
Formula One teams are urging the FIA to reassess its penalty system after Lando Norris received a severe 10-second stop-go penalty at the Qatar Grand Prix for not slowing under yellow flags, which significantly affected his race outcome. McLaren and other teams criticized the FIA's decision-making process, calling for more consistency and transparency. The incident, involving new race director Rui Marques, has intensified scrutiny on the FIA's governance, with concerns about its impact on the sport's reputation.
Max Verstappen secured his fourth consecutive Formula One World Drivers' Championship at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, finishing fifth to ensure an insurmountable lead over rival Lando Norris. George Russell claimed victory for Mercedes, with teammate Lewis Hamilton finishing second, marking a one-two finish for the team. Verstappen joins an elite group of drivers with at least four titles, while Ferrari's Carlos Sainz completed the podium in third place. The Constructors' Championship remains competitive with two races left in the season.