Apple Maps rolled out an immersive new experience for the Miami Formula 1 Grand Prix, giving fans a detailed, interactive look at the race circuit ahead of the May 3 event. And it’s part of a broader plan to cover races throughout the 2026 F1 season.
3D Apple Maps for Miami F1 Grand Prix
The new Miami F1 Grand Prix experience in Apple Maps — part of Apple’s big push into Formula 1 racing coverage — features a detailed look at key locations at the Miami International Autodrome circuit, with 3D landmarks for areas like grandstands, The Marina, the Finish Line and more. There’s even a 3D rendering of the Pit Building, complete with race cars.
The experience also includes technical information about the circuit itself, along with practical navigation details such as local gates, race entrances, bridges, restrooms and water stations. That’s all handy if you’re one of the thousands descending on South Florida for race week.
Guides for fans attending in person
Photo: Apple
Apple Maps hasn’t just made the circuit look great — it’s also trying to be your on-the-ground companion if you’re going to the race. There are guides for fans attending, including “A Local’s Guide to Miami F1 Race Week” for dining and shopping recommendations.
And you also get “Hyperlocal F1 Miami Race Week Spots” for identifying prime viewing locations close to the track.
Miami isn’t the first — and won’t be the last
Photo: Apple
This Miami experience didn’t appear out of nowhere. Apple launched its first detailed F1 Maps experience ahead of the 2026 season with the Formula 1 Qatar Airways Australian Grand Prix, which featured realistic kerbs, labeled 3D grandstands and footbridges, all 14 turns marked on the circuit, pop-up locations showing race entrances and amenities, and 3D landmarks of key structures around the park.
Crucially, Apple confirmed at the time that it would add circuit details for more races around the world throughout the rest of the year. It also launched a “2026 Formula 1 Tracks Around the World” guide in Apple Maps with information about all 24 Grand Prix circuits. Miami is the second circuit to receive the full 3D treatment, and more are expected to follow as the season progresses.
The bigger Apple-F1 picture
Photo: Apple
The Maps experiences are just one piece of a much larger partnership. Last October, Apple and Formula 1 announced a 5-year deal including exclusive streaming rights in the U.S., with Apple TV providing comprehensive coverage of all practice, qualifying, Sprint sessions and Grands Prix. Starting this year, Apple TV subscribers can stream all F1 races at no extra charge.
The Miami Grand Prix is the first U.S. race of the 2026 season. That makes it a marquee moment for Apple to showcase what that partnership looks like in practice — both on-screen and in Maps.
Whether you’re trackside in Miami or watching from your couch, Apple clearly leans into F1 in a big way this year. Expect more circuits to get the 3D Maps treatment as the season rolls on.
David Snow, an expert on Apple hardware and software, writes on a variety of technological and cultural topics for Cult of Mac. They include Apple news, technology buying guides, and features about computer setups and Apple TV shows and movies.
With 30 years of experience covering technology and other subjects, he has written and edited for numerous print and online publications, including CMP Media, TechTV.com, CNET, Wired News, Red Herring magazine, Law.com, The National Law Journal and Law Technology News magazine. Among other roles, he served as executive editor of the Law.com network of websites and editorial director, technology, for ALM Media.
Snow graduated with a B.A. from Syracuse University with majors in magazine journalism and psychology. While there, he worked as a reporter for The Daily Orange newspaper and associate editor of Equal Time magazine.
Founder of the blog At the Waterline, he can be reached on X (formerly Twitter) via @atthewaterline and on Mastodon via @dsnow.
