Katarzyna Petru
IMAX has officially announced a close collaboration with Apple, which aims to bring the excitement of Formula 1 directly to the biggest screens in cinemas. For now, the project is focused on the American market, where the popularity of the "queen of motorsport" is reaching new heights, and Apple TV holds the broadcasting rights for the races. However, this is a signal for the entire global market – cinemas are no longer just venues for film premieres, but are becoming arenas for the biggest live sporting events!
Five iconic Grand Prix in IMAX format
The cooperation plan is very specific: in at least 50 IMAX cinemas in the USA, fans will watch live five of the most important races of the 2026 season. The schedule includes the Grand Prix in Miami (3rd May), Monaco (7th June), Silverstone (5th July), Monza (6th September), and Austin (25th October). This shift from traditional nature documentaries to the Premium Large Format (PLF) showcases how IMAX is adapting to the new expectations of viewers. Thanks to modern laser projection, cinemas can now broadcast live content without worrying about operational costs, offering fans a precision that no home television can replace.
From success in Hollywood to real emotions on the track
The success of the Formula 1 film directed by Joseph Kosinski was significant for this collaboration. This production proved that the speed and sound of the racing cars perfectly fit cinema sound systems and large screens. IMAX now wants to transform this cinematic interest into a permanent format, offering viewers a "stadium" atmosphere. Jonathan Fischer from IMAX emphasises that the collaboration with Apple is a natural step in building a portfolio of premium content that allows fans to experience sport in a way that was previously reserved solely for major feature productions.
Apple Vision Pro and the Virtual Cockpit in F1
However, the most interesting may happen outside the cinema. On 4 March, Apple plans a special presentation where (according to the announcements) we will learn details about the broadcast in the Apple Immersive Video format. Thanks to the dedicated IMAX application on the Apple Vision Pro goggles, fans could virtually sit in the cockpit of the racing car, using 3D imagery in 180 degrees. This is no longer just passive viewing of the race, but a complete immersion in the world of F1, which is set to launch along with the new season on 8 March.
