Apple’s entry into the Formula One rights sweepstakes presents an interesting dilemma for the global auto racing league.  After the Financial Times reported that Apple has made a bid for F1’s United States live rights following the early box-office success of F1: The Movie,

ESPN, now owned by Disney, has been Formula 1’s official US broadcaster since 2018 and is currently paying around $85 million per year under its existing deal. That agreement granted ESPN an exclusive negotiation window to extend the rights, but that period has now expired, opening the door to rival bidders.

Apple and ESPN are two of the leading contenders amid wider interest for the broadcast rights to Formula 1 in the United States, RACER understands.