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Apple takes pole position as Formula 1’s exclusive U.S. broadcaster
MUMBAI: Start your engines Formula 1 is speeding into Apple’s fast lane. In a landmark five-year deal starting 2026, Apple will become the exclusive U.S. broadcast partner for the world’s premier racing series, bringing together two global icons with a shared obsession for innovation, precision, and performance.
The partnership marks a major acceleration for both brands, following the roaring success of F1The Movie, the Apple original film that grossed nearly 630 million dollars worldwide, making it the most successful sports film in history. Released in cinemas and IMAX in June, the film will zoom onto Apple TV screens globally on 12 December 2025 and the collaboration clearly wasn’t just a one-lap affair.
Apple’s winning streak with Formula 1 underscores its ambition to turn streaming into a front-row experience for fans. The deal will give Apple TV subscribers access to every practice, qualifying, Sprint, and Grand Prix session, with select races and practice rounds available for free on the Apple TV app. F1 TV Premium will remain available through an Apple TV subscription and free for subscribers.
But Apple’s racing ambitions don’t stop at the chequered flag. The tech giant plans to weave Formula 1 into its wider ecosystem across Apple News, Apple Music, Apple Sports, Apple Maps, and Apple Fitness+ transforming the sport into a full-throttle digital experience.
Formula 1 president and CEO Stefano Domenicali said the partnership “will maximise our growth potential in the U.S. with the right content and innovative distribution channels.” He added, “After three years of working together on F1 The Movie, we share a vision to bring this amazing sport to our fans and attract new ones through live broadcasts and engaging content.”
That growth is already gathering pace. According to the 2025 Global F1 Fan Survey, 47 per cent of new U.S. Formula 1 fans those who’ve followed the sport for five years or less are aged 18–24, and over half are female. With Apple’s reach across younger, digital-first audiences, the partnership could prove a masterstroke in expanding the sport’s appeal.
Apple senior vice president of services Eddy Cue added: “We’re thrilled to expand our relationship with Formula 1 and offer Apple TV subscribers in the U.S. front row access to one of the fastest-growing sports on the planet. 2026 marks a transformative new era from new teams to new regulations and we’re ready to deliver premium, fan-first coverage in a way that only Apple can.”
The deal couldn’t come at a better time for the sport. As Formula 1 gears up for its next chapter with new teams, new cars, and new regulations, Apple’s precision-engineered storytelling and seamless tech ecosystem could turbocharge how fans experience every race.
If F1 The Movie was the trailer, this five-year partnership is the full feature. And come 2026, when Apple’s broadcast lights go out, the race for the future of sports entertainment will truly be on.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
