The Formula 1 season has kicked off with George Russell emerging victorious in Melbourne. The racing calendar will span the globe throughout 2026, promising an exciting year for fans. Sky has announced a significant upgrade for its customers, enhancing the live sports viewing experience.
Scheduled for release soon, the update will bring a fresh interactive dimension for viewers. Sky will introduce a smart sidebar on screens during race weekends. This feature will offer tools like Race Control and Recap, enabling viewers to replay crucial moments swiftly. Additionally, live in-race standings can be easily checked through this new feature.
In addition to increased interactivity during races, the update will present dedicated driver and team pages. These pages will grant fans access to onboard cameras, enriched race data, informative content, and improved homepage navigation.
Interested in accessing these new features? Sky Sports subscribers using Sky Glass, Sky Stream, and Sky Q devices will receive them for free. Though an exact launch date is yet to be confirmed, the upgrade is anticipated to rollout later in the season, with existing Sky Sports subscribers benefiting from the enhancements at no extra cost.
For Formula 1 enthusiasts, Sky offers the opportunity to watch every practice, qualifier, and race live through the Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle. This combo deal not only saves £336 but also includes around 100 TV channels and complimentary subscriptions to Netflix and Discovery+.
In an email statement to Express.co.uk, Sky highlighted the new immersive sidebar for TV viewing during race weekends, promising increased flexibility and choice for fans in 2026.
Apart from the F1 upgrade, Sky has unveiled an Ultimate TV subscription plan bundling major streaming services at a reduced monthly rate of £24. This package includes access to Disney+, Netflix, Hayu, and the upcoming HBO Max app in the UK, delivering approximately £20 worth of streaming services in a single offering.
The £24 Ultimate TV plan encompasses:
– Netflix Standard with Ads
– Disney+ Standard with Ads (starting from March)
– HBO Max Basic with Ads (starting from March 26)
– Hayu (available from July, with select shows from March)
– Over 130 Sky channels for a comprehensive viewing experience.