The F1 season has kicked off with George Russell securing a win in Melbourne. In 2026, the F1 calendar will span the globe, offering fans an exciting lineup of races. Sky has announced an upcoming TV upgrade for its customers, introducing new features aimed at enhancing the live sports viewing experience.
The forthcoming update will revolutionize viewers’ interaction with the races. Sky will introduce a smart sidebar on screens during race weekends, providing access to Race Control and Recap for quick replays of thrilling moments. Additionally, viewers can easily check live in-race standings. The update will also include dedicated driver and team pages, offering onboard cameras, detailed race data, explainers, and improved navigation on the homepage.
The enhanced features will be accessible at no extra cost to Sky Sports subscribers using Sky Glass, Sky Stream, and Sky Q devices. While an exact launch date is yet to be confirmed, the upgrade is anticipated to be rolled out later in the season.
Formula 1 enthusiasts can enjoy live coverage of every practice, qualifier, and race through Sky’s Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle, saving £336 in an introductory deal. This package not only includes Sky Sports access but also provides around 100 TV channels and complimentary subscriptions to Netflix and Discovery+.
Sky’s statement to Express.co.uk highlighted the introduction of a new immersive sidebar for TV viewing during F1 race weekends in 2026. Apart from the F1 upgrade, Sky has unveiled an Ultimate TV subscription plan, combining major streaming services at a discounted monthly rate of £24. This package grants access to Disney+, Netflix, Hayu, and the upcoming HBO Max app in the UK.
The Ultimate TV plan includes Netflix Standard with Ads, Disney+ Standard with Ads (starting from March), HBO Max Basic with Ads (from March 26), Hayu (available from July, with select shows accessible from March), and over 130 Sky channels. Sky emphasizes the value of this bundle, consolidating approximately £20 worth of streaming services into one comprehensive offering.