The Formula 1 season has kicked off with George Russell emerging victorious in Melbourne. Throughout 2026, the F1 calendar will span the globe, offering an exciting lineup for fans. Sky has announced a significant TV upgrade for its customers, introducing new features aimed at enhancing the viewing experience of live sports.
The upcoming update will bring a fresh interactive dimension for viewers, including a smart sidebar on screens during race weekends. This feature will provide tools such as access to Race Control and Recap, allowing fans to quickly review thrilling overtakes and crucial moments. Additionally, viewers can easily check live in-race standings.
In addition to increased interaction during races, the update will present dedicated driver and team pages, offering fans onboard cameras, enhanced race data, explanations, and improved navigation on the homepage.
The new features will be accessible for free to Sky Sports subscribers using Sky Glass, Sky Stream, and Sky Q devices. While an exact launch date has not been confirmed yet, the upgrade is expected to roll out later in the season, with existing Sky Sports subscribers receiving these enhancements at no extra cost.
Formula 1 enthusiasts can catch every practice, qualifier, and race live through Sky’s Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle, currently available at a discounted rate saving £336. This package not only includes Sky Sports access but also provides access to around 100 TV channels along with complimentary subscriptions to Netflix and Discovery+.
Sky, in an email statement to Express.co.uk, mentioned that for 2026, fans can anticipate more flexibility and choice with a new immersive sidebar for TV viewing during race weekends. Apart from the F1 upgrade, Sky has revealed a new Ultimate TV subscription plan that combines major streaming services at a reduced monthly price of £24.
Included in the £24 Ultimate TV plan are Netflix Standard with Ads, Disney+ Standard with Ads (starting in March), HBO Max Basic with Ads (from March 26), Hayu (available from July, with selected shows accessible from March), and over 130 Sky channels. Sky emphasized that this bundle offers great value by consolidating approximately £20 worth of streaming services into one comprehensive package.