Core Viewpoint - Apple is poised to secure the US streaming rights for Formula 1 races, with a bid of at least $150 million per year starting in 2026, outbidding ESPN, which currently holds the rights [1][2]. Group 1: Company Actions - Apple has already established streaming deals for professional baseball and all Major League Soccer games, indicating a growing portfolio in sports streaming [2]. - The company is not deterred by high spending in its media projects, reflecting a strategic focus on expanding its sports offerings [4][5]. Group 2: Industry Dynamics - Formula 1 has seen a surge in popularity in the US, with average race viewership increasing to approximately 1.3 million, more than double the figures from 2018 [3]. - ESPN, which previously paid around $85 million annually for F1 rights, has decided to allocate its resources elsewhere, indicating a shift in its sports programming strategy [4]. - Interest from other potential bidders for F1 rights has been reported as muted, with Netflix not aggressively pursuing the rights this time [4].