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Where to Watch Formula 1

Where to Watch Formula 1

Preference for Formula 1 live access varies; you can watch it via TV, online streaming, or other platforms. Sports networks like Sky Sports F1 in the UK, ESPN in the US, and SuperSport in Africa provide high-quality commentary and coverage. Streaming services such as F1 TV Pro and ESPN+ also provide viewers and bettors a chance to watch the sport on mobile devices, tablets, or smart TVs, which promotes flexibility.

NXTbets helps you choose the best viewing options in Formula 1. In this guide, we will review TV, streaming, and free-to-air services that match your budget, location, and needs and ensure you get real-time coverage for every race-defining moment.

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Official Broadcast Partners by Region

Broadcast partners are licensed TV networks, streaming platforms, or media companies granted rights to air live Formula 1 in different regions. These partners are appointed by F1 management through contractual agreements, which include territorial scope, content rights, distribution method, and exclusivity.

North America

United States

ESPN holds the exclusive rights to air races live on ESPN, ESPN2, and ABC for specific events. The coverage uses the Sky Sports F1 feed from the UK, including commentary. ESPN Deportes provides Spanish-language coverage.

Canada

TSN (English) and RDS (French) are the leading broadcasters, with some races also shown on Noovo for free-to-air French coverage.

Mexico

The primary broadcaster in Mexico is FOX Sports Mexico. You can also watch F1 via ESPN Mexico and sometimes on Azteca 7 or Televisa, depending on contractual terms for certain races.

United Kingdom & Ireland

Sky Sports F1 is Sky’s dedicated F1 channel. It provides live coverage every grand prix weekend. The channel holds exclusive rights in the UK and Ireland.

Channel 4- This is a free-to-air channel in the UK airing F1 races, and its coverage is limited compared to Sky Sports F1, which holds the exclusive live rights. Channel 4 can air one race live per season (British Grand Prix) and show extended highlights of all other races.

Europe

Germany

Sky Deutschland airs all exclusive live coverage of all seasons. RTL, on the other hand, is limited and free to air coverage of select races via sub-license.

France

Canal+ airs exclusive live coverage of all races and sessions. It is known for French commentary and coverage.

Italy

Sky Italia airs exclusive live coverage of all seasons, while TV8 airs free-to-air highlights and some races live, including the Italian GP.

Asia-Pacific & Middle East

Australia

In Australia, F1 broadcasting is split between free-to-air channels and paid TV streaming providers:

  • Fox Sports holds the exclusive live rights.
  • Kayo Sports is a streaming-only option offering the same full live coverage as Fox Sports.
  • Network 10 is a free-to-air broadcaster with limited rights, which only shows a few races live, including the Australian GP and highlights packages of the rest.

India

In India, F1 broadcasts a digital model where FanCode holds the exclusive rights to stream all F1 races. It is available on subscription.

Middle East

F1 is broadcast by beIN Sports, which holds exclusive rights to all F1 races. Coverage is available in both Arabic and English. These air on dedicated F1 channels and on full Sky Sports F1.

Streaming Platforms & Digital Options

F1 TV Pro & Access

F1 TV provides two primary subscription platforms, F1 TV Pro and F1 TV Access, offered by Formula One. They vary in price range depending on the package and region. F1 TV Pro provides a premium package in which you are able to live stream every F1 Grand Prix, Formula 2, Formula 3, and other related events. F1 TV Access, on the other hand, has limited coverage that does not include live races. 

Instead, it offers delayed race replays, race highlights, past Formula One races, and documentaries. Availability of both services varies by country due to existing broadcast rights agreements. F1 TV Pro is offered in selected regions, while F1 TV Access is more widely available globally.

Live session streams, onboard cameras, and driver trackers are advanced Formula One viewing features that put you in action beyond standard television coverage: 

  • Live session streams provide real-time access to every race.
  • Onboard cameras allow you to have a view of the cockpit, and have the driver’s view of the racing track from different angles.
  • Driver trackers provide complementary visuals of each car’s position, and GPS maps, allowing viewers to see overtakes in real-time.

Geo-restrictions and subscription tiers give you access to how, where, and what you can access. Geo-restrictions are licensing rules that limit certain regions from having full access to some features, like live race streams or onboard cameras. 

Subscription tiers have higher and lower tiers. Higher tiers provide you with live session streams, onboard feeds, and driver trackers, while lower tiers offer you delayed race replays, highlights, and archived content.

Networks Apps & OTT Services

Network apps and OTT (Over-the-top) services are key platforms where you can watch F1. They offer you flexibility beyond traditional TV broadcasts. Network apps are digital extensions such as ESPN+, Sky Go, or Channel 4 that allow you to stream on smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, and computers. OTT services, on the other hand, deliver races directly over the internet without requiring a pay-TV package; examples are YouTube, F1 TV Pro, or Sling.

Aggregators & VPN Use

Aggregators and VPN use are two different ways you can stream F1.

Aggregators are platforms such as YouTube, DAZN, or Hulu+ Live TV, which allow you to access multiple channels of sports in one subscription.

VPN (Virtual Private Network) is commonly used with Geo-restricted regions, as it routes the internet connection through another server in another country. It unlocks access to services like F1 TV Pro in restricted areas. However, VPN use can breach the terms of streaming platforms, which may lead to your account being suspended depending on local laws.

Free-to-Air vs. Subscription Services

Free-to-air services allow you to watch races or highlights without any subscription fee; it is often funded by advertising. Exclusive rights are held by pay-TV; Free-to-air coverage is limited, and therefore, the number of races is reduced.

Subscription services, on the other hand, require a pay plan and therefore deliver complete live coverage of every race. You can access races through services like Sky Sports F1, F1 TV Pro, or ESPN+. In this paid service, there are additional features such as onboard cameras, driver trackers, and expert analysis.

While Free-to-air makes the sport widely available, subscription services provide you with comprehensive, real-time access and premium viewing options.

Pros & Cons of Free-to-Air

Pros:

  • No Cost to Watch: You can watch F1 races without paying for any subscription or cable packages.
  • Casual Friendly: You can access the races whenever you want without committing financially.
  • Wide Accessibility: It is available to you even with a standard TV or online access to the broadcaster’s free streaming platform.
  • Local Commentary: Since it targets local audiences, it has presenters with local language familiarity.

Cons:

  • Limited Live Coverage: You can only access a few races, while other races are presented as delayed broadcasts or highlight packages.
  • Fewer Features: No onboard cameras, river trackers, or expert analysis.
  • Lower Production Depth: May lack supplementary content, technical breakdown, and in-depth analysis.
  • Advertising Interruptions: You may experience Ad breaks during key races, which break the viewing flow.

Highlighted races are selected Grands Prix shown live on free-to-air TV, often major events like Monaco or the home race, while other events are aired as delayed broadcasts hours later. F1 is kept accessible at no cost but sacrifices the immediacy and unpredictability of live coverage, balancing public access without any subscription.

Subscription Benefits

  • Subscription services for Formula One offer full live coverage of every race weekend, including documentaries, interviews, and technical breakdowns. Many platforms also provide multi-screen viewing, allowing you to watch the onboard camera, live timing, and driver trackers.
  • Price comparison and bundle deals will help you choose the most affordable way to watch F1. Subscription deals vary on different platforms in different regions. F1 TV Pro may cost a modest monthly fee, while premium pay-TV packages such as Sky Sport F1 may be higher.
  • Bundle deals are lower in cost since it has a combined coverage of platforms like Sky with Netflix, Hulu+ Live TV with ESPN, or DAZN.

Race Weekend Coverage

This refers to a complete coverage of the F1 Grand Prix broadcasting from start to finish, which is aired from Friday to Sunday. It includes team interviews, press conferences, pre- and post-analysis, pit lane updates, and sprint races. It also offers early setup and strategy planning for the final podium celebrations.

Practice & Qualifying Access

Practice sessions include evaluating tyres, testing set-ups, and fine-tuning race strategies, giving you early insight into car performance and track conditions.

The qualifying session determines the starting grid with a knockout format that brings out high drama. Having access to these sessions gives you a deeper understanding of the race tactics, driver form, and potential surprises.

  • Practice sessions show how teams adapt to track conditions, manage tyre wear, and test fuel loads, giving you data to predict pace and reliability.
  • Qualifying results set the starting grid, directly influencing overtaking potential, pit stop strategies, and race-winning chances.

Observing these early sessions helps you to identify teams that are hiding pace or struggling, making them a goldmine for both betting markets and strategic race predictions.

Paddock Pass & Behind-the-scenes

A paddock pass gives you up-close access to F1 operations, which are restricted areas where teams, drivers, engineers, and media prepare for each session. It allows you to witness car setups, strategy discussions, and driver briefings. You will be able to take photos, autographs, or casual interactions.

Behind-the-scenes coverage is done through broadcasts and documentaries or team media, offering you a similar insider perspective without you being there physically. 

  • Digital shows in Formula One are online or streaming programs that deliver content such as race previews, driver interviews, and post-race analysis, often hosted by F1 pundits or former drivers.
  • Team radios are live audio communications between drivers and their engineers. It offers you a raw and unfiltered experience of the race strategy, car performance feedback, and drivers’ emotions during the competition.

Interactive Features

The feature lets you personalize and get a deep experience with Formula One beyond standard broadcast. It includes onboard cameras, real-time driver trackers, live timing data, and customizable multi-screen layouts. The functionality gives you control over what to watch and how you watch it. F1 coverage features engage you highly and give you preferences.

  • Live timing apps provide second-by-second lap times, sector splits, tyre choices, pit stop durations, and position changes, allowing you to track the performance of every car.
  • Multi-angle videos let you switch between different cameras, such as pit lane shots, onboard views, and aerial views, to follow specific driver battles.
  • Real-time data overlays give you a richer understanding of driver technique and race strategies since they integrate speed, gear selection, track position, and brake inputs.

Regional Blackouts & How to Avoid Them

In F1, regional blackouts occur when broadcasting rights prevent certain races or live sessions from being streamed in specific countries. Because the local network holds exclusive rights, to avoid blackouts, you may use VPNs to hide your location by connecting through a server in a region where content is available.

Common Blackout Scenarios

Common blackout scenarios in Formula One occur when broadcasting rights are split between regional networks and global streaming networks.

  • F1 TV Pro is blocked in some countries where local pay-TV partners have exclusive rights.
  • Free-to-air has restrictions where the free-to-air broadcaster can only air delayed coverage.
  • Partial event coverage where a broadcaster holds rights to certain races in the season, causing others to be blacked out.

Workarounds

Legal streaming alternatives are available by signing up for the rights-holding broadcaster in your region or using licensed aggregators like Hulu+Live TV, YouTube TV, or DAZN channels.

Scheduling DVR recordings on cable or satellite services ensures you can watch the full session without any spoilers or overlapping commitments.

Official catch-up services such as F1 TV’s replay provide full-length replays, highlights, and supplementary content after live broadcast, letting you catch every detail of the race without any blackouts or licensing rules.

Grip the Checkered Flag with NXTbets

The checkered flag is the iconic symbol waved at the finish line to signal the end of the race and the victory of the winner. It suggests that you can be in the driver’s seat and make informed decisions that put you in a position to win your bets.

You can bypass regional blackouts and subscribe to F1 TV Pro in eligible countries or choose streaming services without such restrictions.

NXTbet is your strategic guide to optimal viewing setup so you never miss a pole position fight, a pit stop strategy, or the drama of the podium celebration. We ensure you are tuned in to every lap, every camera angle, and every insider moment, no matter where you are. 

Subscribe to our newsletter for F1 betting insights and access to your race day updates and alerts.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

While we specialize in Formula One coverage, we also provide odds and insights for other major motorsports and selected sports events.

No, NXTbets does not stream live races. We provide links, schedules, and recommendations to watch legally in your country.

Our live odds update in real-time throughout each race weekend, from practice sessions to the final lap.

You can place bets like outright winners, podium finishes, fastest laps, head-to-head driver matchups, and in-race events like safety cars or pit stops.

Most promos are open to all registered users, but some are limited to specific regions or betting partners.