Tim Mocan
Updated on: November 18, 2023
Only 3 Steps (Quick + Easy) to Watch F1 Online With a VPN in 2024:
- Step 1:Get a VPN that works with F1 streaming platforms. I highly recommend ExpressVPN as it ticks all the boxes: it has lightning-fast speeds for uninterrupted streams, a large server network, and easy-to-use apps.
- Step 2: Connect to a VPN server. Open the VPN app and select a server location where the F1 race is legally available to you. Please note that using a VPN to access a streaming service’s content from another country is a hypothetical option, but it’s important to be aware that such actions may potentially involve copyright violations and breaches of the streaming service’s terms and conditions.
- Step 3: Log into the platform that carries F1. Find the F1 stream and enjoy the Grand Prix live.
I love watching the F1 races, but unfortunately, the races aren’t available everywhere. Instead, the platforms that have licensing agreements to stream the races restrict where they can be viewed in different countries. They use your IP address to determine your location to find out if you can watch the races or not.
A VPN is an online tool that gives you another IP address from a new location, thereby hiding your actual location. In theory, this means you could watch the F1 races from anywhere since you can get an IP address from a location airing the races. That said, it’s important to note that we can’t recommend doing this, as it may be considered copyright infringement, along with being against the Terms and Conditions of most streaming platforms.
If you want to use a VPN to protect your privacy while streaming F1 races, I found some good options. The below 3 providers consistently work with F1 streaming sites. My No. 1 pick is ExpressVPN because it’s super fast, user-friendly, and has a large server network.
Best VPNs for watching F1 content in 2024
- 🥇1. ExpressVPN — Best VPN for watching F1 from anywhere in 2024.
- 🥈2. Private Internet Access — Great for streaming F1 on Android and iOS.
- 🥉3. CyberGhost VPN — User-friendly with streaming-optimized servers for watching F1.
- Comparison of the Best VPNs For Watching F1 in 2024.
Disclaimer: The team and I at SafetyDetectives stand firmly against copyright infringement. The VPNs we suggest below are tools to enhance online privacy. Remember, when using a VPN, it’s essential to use it responsibly and in compliance with all relevant rules and regulations. How you use the VPN is up to you.
🥇1. ExpressVPN — Best VPN for Watching F1 in 2024
ExpressVPN is the best VPN for streaming Formula 1 because it works with all channels and platforms that broadcast the Grand Prix weekends, including ESPN, Sky Sports, and F1 TV. Plus, it provides the best value — and it’s why it takes the no. 1 slot for the best VPNs in 2024.
ExpressVPN is the fastest VPN I’ve tested — my F1 stream while connected to a local server in my country started immediately, and I was able to watch the entire race without any buffering or lag in HD quality.
It also has advanced security and privacy features, including:
- Full leak protection. Protects you against DNS, WebRTC, and IPv6 leaks.
- RAM-only servers. All data is stored on volatile memory and gets wiped every time the server is rebooted.
- Perfect forward secrecy. Changes your encryption key for every VPN connection. This way, even if one key is compromised, malicious actors won’t be able to see any of your past or future traffic.
- Audited no-logs policy. ExpressVPN doesn’t collect or store any data about your online activities.
ExpressVPN also has a split-tunneling feature that lets you choose which apps use the VPN tunnel and which apps use your internet service provider’s network. This means you can send only F1 streaming traffic through the VPN to increase your speeds.
I really like that ExpressVPN has a smart DNS tool, called MediaStreamer, that lets you stream races on devices that don’t natively support VPNs, like some smart TVs and gaming consoles.
Plus, ExpressVPN’s apps are very easy to use — it only takes a couple of seconds to find and connect to any of its servers. Plus, I’m a fan of the Shortcuts feature, which allows you to create 1-click shortcuts for your favorite apps and sites for faster access.
ExpressVPN offers a couple of plans that start at $6.67 / month. And there is a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it risk-free.
Read our full ExpressVPN review
🥈2. Private Internet Access — Good for Streaming F1 on Your Mobile Devices
Private Internet Access (PIA) is a great option for streaming F1 on the go. It works with all platforms that show the F1 weekends, such as YouTube TV and Hulu, and has highly configurable apps so you can customize your VPN connection to get the fastest speeds possible.
I also like that its apps are very user-friendly. You can set up the VPN so it automatically connects to a server when you’re connected to your home Wi-Fi network. And I like that all PIA apps display color-coded ping metrics next to each server so you can decide which is the fastest server to connect to. On top of that, PIA allows unlimited connections, so you and your entire family can stream F1 races on all of your devices with just one subscription.
In terms of speeds, PIA is really fast. During my tests, I connected to a local server in Romania, and my F1 streams in HD quality loaded in 2 seconds and there was no buffering. Still, ExpressVPN provided me with slightly better speeds in my tests.
PIA is very secure. It uses RAM-only servers, perfect forward secrecy, and full leak protection, and it has an independently audited no-logs policy. I also like that it releases regular transparency reports showing that it doesn’t share data with third parties. Plus, its MACE feature can protect you from shady sites that try to imitate legitimate platforms that broadcast F1 races.
Private Internet Access has affordable plans that start at $2.11 / month. All PIA plans are backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full Private Internet Access review
🥉3. CyberGhost VPN — Beginner-Friendly Apps + Streaming-Optimized Servers for Watching F1
CyberGhost VPN has streaming-optimized servers that offer fast and reliable F1 streams. These servers work with over 50 streaming apps, including those that carry the entire F1 season, such as YouTube TV, ESPN, and Channel 4. These servers regularly change their IP addresses, so it’s hard for streaming sites to detect and block them.
CyberGhost is a great VPN for beginners. I really like its Smart Rules feature, which is great for automating your connections. For example, it allows you to configure the VPN so that it automatically connects you to a specific streaming server and starts a streaming app on launch. In addition, all of the provider’s apps provide helpful explanations for all features and settings, so you never feel lost using them.
The provider had fast speeds in my tests, but it was slower compared to ExpressVPN and Private Internet Access. F1 streams in HD loaded in 3 seconds and there was minor buffering at the start (but it wasn’t very noticeable) when I was connected to a server in my country.
Plus, CyberGhost provides great security — it has RAM-only servers, perfect forward secrecy, an audited no-logs policy, and strong leak protection. CyberGhost also publishes transparency reports.
CyberGhost VPN’s plans start at $2.03 / month. It backs its long-term plans with a 45-day money-back guarantee and offers a 14-day money-back guarantee on its shortest plan.
Read our full CyberGhost VPN review
Comparison of the Best VPNs for Watching F1 in 2024
How to Choose the Best VPN for Watching F1 in 2024
- Look for a VPN with top-notch F1 streaming support. All VPNs on my list work well with channels and platforms that broadcast F1 races, including ESPN, Sky Sports, and F1TV.
- Find a VPN that offers fast streaming speeds. All VPNs slow down connection speeds due to the encryption process. But with top VPNs, you won’t notice any latency. Every VPN I recommend is very fast but ExpressVPN is the fastest on this list.
- Get a VPN that’s easy to use. Each VPN on my list is user-friendly and makes it very simple to find a server and connect to it.
- Check for good security features. A great VPN comes with industry standard-security features, including a kill switch that automatically stops your internet connection if the VPN connection drops, a strict no-logs policy that ensures the VPN provider won’t collect, store or track any user’s online activity or personal information, and military-grade 256-bit AES encryption.
- Find a VPN that offers good value. I only recommend VPNs that come with extra features like split-tunneling, allow multiple simultaneous connections (Private Internet Access lets you connect an unlimited number of devices), are budget-friendly, and offer a money-back guarantee.
How to Watch F1 Content on Any Device
How to Watch F1 Content on Your PC or Mac Device
- Get a good F1 VPN. I highly recommend ExpressVPN as it works with all channels and platforms that broadcast F1 races, offers blazing-fast speeds, and has server locations in 100+ countries.
- Install the VPN on your device. Follow the installation wizard and you’ll get the app on your device in a couple of minutes.
- Connect to a local server and go to your favorite streaming platform. Find the F1 stream and enjoy race week!
How to Watch F1 Content on Your Smartphone or Tablet
- When it comes to streaming F1 races, my top pick is ExpressVPN due to its user-friendly apps for Android and iOS, excellent streaming support, fast speeds, and extensive server network.
- Download and install the VPN app from the app store. Follow the on-screen instructions to install the VPN on your device. It only takes a couple of minutes.
- Open the VPN app and connect to a local server. Then, go to your favorite F1 streaming platform and enjoy the race.
How to Watch F1 Content on Your Smart TV
- Sign up for a good streaming VPN. ExpressVPN works with 100+ streaming platforms, many of which broadcast F1 races, and has very user-friendly smart TV apps.
- On Android TVs: Download and install the VPN app from the app store, log into the VPN app, and connect to a server in your country.
- On non-Android TVs: Set up the VPN on your router and configure it to connect to a local server.
- Open your favorite streaming app. And you’re ready to watch F1 races!
How to Watch F1 Content on Amazon Fire Stick
- Pick a good Fire Stick VPN. ExpressVPN has a very user-friendly Fire Stick app and also provides excellent streaming support.
- Download the VPN app from the app store. Follow the installation wizard’s instructions. This shouldn’t take more than 1–2 minutes.
- Launch the VPN and connect to a local server. Now you can start watching the race.
How to Watch F1 Content on Your Gaming Console
- Get a VPN that works on routers. ExpressVPN has a very user-friendly router app.
- Set up the VPN on your router. This will allow your gaming console to use the VPN connection. It only took me about 10 minutes to download and set up the ExpressVPN app on my router.
- Connect to a nearby server and search for F1 streaming channels. Now, you can watch the race live on your gaming console.
What Streaming Services Show F1?
Disclaimer: While you could use a VPN to watch F1 races from another country, this violates most streaming platforms’ T&Cs and could also constitute copyright infringement.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best VPN to watch F1?
My favorite VPN for watching F1 races is ExpressVPN. It works with all platforms and channels that broadcast the Grand Prix weekends, offers the fastest speeds, and has easy-to-use apps. It also has affordable plans and a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.
Is F1 included in ESPN+?
Yes, ESPN+ broadcasts F1 races, but you might not be able to watch all races on the season with an ESPN+ subscription. That said, you can watch all F1 practice and qualifying sessions, races, and additional F1 coverage (like post-race interviews) on the ESPN channel.
If you want to safely watch F1 with ESPN with a VPN, I recommend ExpressVPN because it includes high-end security features, it works with ESPN platforms, it has the fastest streaming speeds on the market, and it also comes with very intuitive apps for all platforms.
How can I watch F1 on Amazon Prime?
Amazon Prime has several sports channels where you can watch the race, including NBC Sports. To protect your privacy when streaming with Amazon Prime, you can use a VPN. My favorite one is ExpressVPN because it has robust security features, consistently works with Amazon Prime Video, and is super fast.
Is there any way to watch F1 live for free?
Depending on where you live, there might be a few services that stream F1 for free. Here’s a list of streaming services in each country that may offer free streams of races. You can connect to a VPN server in your country and check the streaming service listed below:
- Albania: RTSH (every race)
- Australia: 10Play
- Austria: ORF Eins or Servus TV (every race)
- Belgium: RBTF (every race)
- Brazil: Band TV (every race)
- China: Great Sports, CCTV, and Guangdong Sports (every race)
- France: C8 (only French, Monaco, Bahrain, United States, and Mexico City GPs)
- Iran: MBC Persia or IRIB Varzesh (every race)
- UK and Ireland: Channel 4 (British GP)
- Luxembourg: RTL Zwee (every race)
- Macedonia: Sky Sport (every race)
- Mexico: Canal 5 (only Mexico City GP)
- Middle East and North Africa: MBC Action
- Netherlands: NOS (Dutch GP)
- Pakistan: A Sports (every race)
- Singapore: Channel 5 (Singapore GP only)
- Serbia: Sky Sport (every race)
- Spain: Mediaset (Spanish GP)
- Tajikistan: Varzish TV (every race)
- United States: ABC (only Miami, USA, Canada, Mexico City, Monaco GPs)
