The Formula 1 season has kicked off with George Russell securing a win in Melbourne. Throughout 2026, the F1 calendar will span the globe, offering fans an exciting viewing experience. Sky has recently announced a significant upgrade for its customers, enhancing the way sports enthusiasts watch live events.
This upcoming update will revolutionize the viewing experience by introducing a new interactive feature for viewers. Sky will include a smart sidebar on screens during race weekends, providing tools like Race Control and Recap for fans to revisit thrilling moments quickly. Additionally, viewers can easily access live in-race standings through this feature.
In addition to improved interaction during races, the update will introduce dedicated driver and team pages, offering fans access to onboard cameras, enhanced race data, explanations, and enhanced homepage navigation.
To access these new features, Sky Sports subscribers using Sky Glass, Sky Stream, and Sky Q devices will receive them for free. While an exact launch date has not been confirmed, the upgrade is expected to be rolled out later in the season at no extra cost to existing Sky Sports subscribers.
Formula 1 enthusiasts can enjoy every practice, qualifier, and race live through Sky’s Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle, which currently offers a special deal saving £336. This package not only includes Sky Sports access but also provides around 100 TV channels and free subscriptions to Netflix and Discovery+.
Sky’s statement to Express.co.uk highlighted the new immersive sidebar for TV viewing during race weekends, promising fans increased flexibility and choice for the 2026 F1 season.
Besides the F1 upgrade, Sky has unveiled a new Ultimate TV subscription plan that combines major streaming services at a reduced monthly price of £24. This package will grant both new and existing customers access to Disney+, Netflix, Hayu, and the upcoming HBO Max app in the UK, offering approximately £20 worth of streaming services in a single bundle.
The £24 Ultimate TV plan includes:
– Netflix Standard with Ads
– Disney+ Standard with Ads (from March)
– HBO Max Basic with Ads (from March 26)
– Hayu (from July, with selected shows available from March)
– Over 130 Sky channels