What Disney Plus offers for Formula 1 racing
Disney Plus does not stream live Formula 1 races. The service carries Drive to Survive, a documentary series about the F1 season, but not the actual races themselves. If you want to watch races as they happen, you need a different streaming service or cable provider.
In the United States, ESPN+ holds the rights to stream F1 races live. In the United Kingdom, Sky Sports has exclusive live coverage. Other regions have different broadcasters — Canada uses TSN and Sportsnet, Australia uses Kayo Sports. Where you live determines which service carries the races.
Disney owns ESPN, so if you already subscribe to Disney Plus, you may be able to add ESPN+ through the same account. That bundle costs less than paying for both separately, but it is a separate subscription from Disney Plus itself.
Key Takeaways
- Disney Plus streams Drive to Survive but not live F1 races, so you cannot watch race day coverage on Disney Plus alone.
- ESPN+ is the primary streaming home for F1 races in the United States, and you can bundle it with Disney Plus for a lower combined price.
- Your location determines which service has the rights — the United Kingdom uses Sky Sports, Canada uses TSN or Sportsnet, and Australia uses Kayo Sports.
- Cable and satellite providers like Comcast, DirecTV, and others may also carry F1 races through ESPN or their own sports channels.
ESPN Plus as the main streaming option in the US
ESPN+ streams every F1 race live in the United States, including practice sessions and may have access to rounds. The service costs about $11 per month on its own, or you can bundle it with Disney Plus and Hulu for a lower total price. Disney offers three bundle tiers: the basic bundle includes ad-supported versions of all three services, the standard bundle removes ads from Disney Plus and Hulu but keeps them on ESPN+, and the premium bundle removes ads from all three.
To watch on ESPN+, you sign in with your ESPN account on the ESPN app, the ESPN website, or through compatible streaming devices like Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV, and Samsung Smart TVs. The app also works on phones and tablets. Race broadcasts typically start at different times depending on where the race is held — European races often air early morning in the US, while races in the Americas air in the afternoon or evening.
ESPN+ also offers on-demand replays of races after they finish, so you do not have to watch live if your schedule does not allow it. The service includes pre-race and post-race analysis, driver interviews, and behind-the-scenes content alongside the race itself.
What Drive to Survive covers on Disney Plus
Drive to Survive is a documentary series that follows F1 teams and drivers through a full season. Each season has ten episodes, and new seasons arrive on Disney Plus after the F1 season ends. The show focuses on team dynamics, driver rivalries, and the human side of racing rather than race-by-race coverage.
The series is useful for understanding the sport if you are new to F1, but it is not a substitute for watching races. Episodes air months after the season finishes, so you cannot use Drive to Survive to follow the current season in real time. If you want to watch races as they happen and then dive deeper into the stories behind them, you need both ESPN+ for live coverage and Disney Plus for the documentary series.
Cable and satellite alternatives to streaming
If you have a cable or satellite subscription, you may be able to watch F1 races through ESPN or other sports channels included in your package. Comcast, DirecTV, Dish Network, and other providers carry ESPN, which broadcasts selected F1 races. Not every race airs on cable — some are exclusive to ESPN+, so you may still need the streaming service for full coverage.
To find out which races your provider carries, check your cable guide or log into your provider's website or app. Many providers offer the ability to stream cable channels through their own apps, so you can watch on your phone or tablet if you have an active cable subscription.
International streaming options for F1
Outside the United States, F1 coverage varies by country. In the United Kingdom, Sky Sports holds exclusive rights to all races and may have access to sessions. In Canada, TSN and Sportsnet split coverage. In Australia, Kayo Sports streams all races. In India, Disney+ Hotstar carries F1 content. Other countries have their own broadcasters — check what is available in your region by searching for "F1 streaming [your country]" or visiting the official Formula 1 website for a list of broadcasters by location.
Some services offer VPN access to viewers outside their home country, but using a VPN to access a service you do not have a subscription to violates the service's terms of service. The legal way to watch is through a service available in your location.
Comparing the cost of watching F1
The cheapest way to watch F1 in the US is the Disney Plus, Hulu, and ESPN+ bundle at the ad-supported tier, which costs about $15 per month combined. If you want to remove ads, the standard bundle is about $20 per month, and the premium bundle (no ads on any service) is about $24 per month. ESPN+ alone is about $11 per month if you do not want Disney Plus or Hulu.
A cable subscription that includes ESPN may cost $50 to $150 per month depending on your provider and package, so streaming is typically cheaper if F1 is your main reason for subscribing. However, cable gives you access to other sports and channels beyond F1, so the value depends on what else you watch.
The table below shows the main options and what each includes:
| Option | Cost per month | Live F1 races | Drive to Survive | Other content |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ESPN+ alone | $11 | Yes | No | Other sports |
| Disney Plus + Hulu + ESPN+ (ads) | $15 | Yes | Yes | Movies, TV, sports |
| Disney Plus + Hulu + ESPN+ (no ads) | $24 | Yes | Yes | Movies, TV, sports |
| Cable with ESPN | $50–$150 | Most races | No | All cable channels |
Setting up ESPN Plus for F1 on your devices
To watch F1 on ESPN+, create an ESPN account or sign in if you already have one. read the ESPN app on your device — it is available for iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV, Samsung Smart TVs, and other platforms. Open the app, sign in, and search for Formula 1 or F1 to find upcoming races and past broadcasts.
If you subscribe through the Disney Plus bundle, you can also access ESPN+ through the Disney Plus app on some devices, though the ESPN app itself offers more features and a better layout for sports. On a web browser, go to ESPN.com, sign in, and navigate to the F1 section to watch races or find the schedule.
Test your connection before race day to make sure the app works on your device. F1 races can draw heavy traffic to streaming services, so starting the stream a few minutes early helps avoid buffering when the race begins.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch F1 races for free anywhere?
No legal free option exists in the United States. ESPN+ requires a paid subscription. Some countries offer free-to-air broadcasts on traditional television — check your local broadcaster's website to see if they stream races online without a subscription.
Does Disney Plus have any F1 content besides Drive to Survive?
Disney Plus carries Drive to Survive and occasional behind-the-scenes specials, but not live races or may have access to sessions. For race coverage, you need ESPN+ in the US or your region's official broadcaster.
Can I watch F1 on Disney Plus outside the United States?
In India, Disney+ Hotstar includes F1 content. In most other countries, F1 is not available on Disney Plus. Check your local broadcaster — the official Formula 1 website lists which service has rights in each country.
What happens if I miss a race on ESPN Plus?
ESPN+ offers on-demand replays of every race after it finishes. You can watch the full race, highlights, or specific sessions like may have access to. Replays stay available throughout the season and beyond.
Is the ESPN Plus bundle cheaper than buying services separately?
Yes. The ad-supported bundle of Disney Plus, Hulu, and ESPN+ costs about $15 per month, while buying ESPN+ alone is $11 and Disney Plus alone is about $8, totaling $19. The bundle saves you about $4 per month if you want all three services.