Countless fans did not have the opportunity to watch college football or Monday Night Football last week due to a dispute between Disney/ESPN and Google/YouTube TV. This dispute has now affected fans of Formula 1.
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The immensely popular open wheel racing series continued its season this weekend with Round 21 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. This weekend's schedule featured practice, sprint qualifying, a sprint race, race qualifying, and then the Sunday afternoon Sao Paulo Grand Prix (12 p.m. ET).
Unfortunately for many United States-based fans, they did not have the opportunity to watch any of these sessions. Those who subscribe to YouTube TV no longer have access to any of the ESPN networks as this dispute continues.
Just realized I can't watch F1 this weekend since all of practice sessions and race are on ESPN networks pic.twitter.com/M6YIU7jo3F
— The Luminary (@TheBoulNate) November 7, 2025
"YouTube TV/ESPN ruining not only football but also F1.... This is why people illegally stream," one person commented on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.
If this dispute continues, the F1 fans who subscribe to YouTube TV could miss out on two of the most important events of the season. The Las Vegas Grand Prix takes place on Nov. 20-22. The Qatar Grand Prix then closes out the season on Nov. 28-30.
This Qatar Grand Prix will officially determine the 2025 World Drivers' Champion. Lando Norris has the lead after winning Saturday's sprint race in Sao Paulo, but Oscar Piastri is within reach. So too is Max Verstappen, who seeks his fifth consecutive World Drivers' Championship.
The good news for F1 fans is that they will not have to worry about this dispute after the season ends. A massive deal will move all United States-based F1 coverage to Apple TV in 2026.
"(F1) might as well just move over to Apple TV already since (ESPN) and (Disney) has taken away half their US viewership with the fall through of the YouTube TV agreement," another person posted on social media. "Can't watch CFB, NFL, NBA, NHL and now this weekend F1. You all already own Hulu you dont need YouTube as well."
