Apple is in negotiations to acquire U.S. broadcast rights for Formula 1 racing. As ESPN's exclusivity ends, Apple aims to leverage F1's U.S. popularity, further boosted by Netflix's 'Drive to Survive'.

Apple is in talks to acquire U.S. broadcast rights to screen Formula 1 racing when the contract becomes available next year, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the matter.

Apple is in talks to acquire the US rights to screen Formula 1 as the tech group chases the success of its hit movie based on the race car series and delves further into showing live sport. The iPhone maker is challenging Disney’s ESPN — Formula 1’s current American broadcaster — when the broadcast contract becomes available next year,