Where to Watch F1 Live and On Demand
If you've left YouTube TV or want to watch Formula 1 without it, your main option in the United States is ESPN+, which streams every race, practice session, and may have access to round live. ESPN+ costs about $11 per month on its own, or you can bundle it with Disney+ and Hulu. The races air at their scheduled times — early morning for European and Middle Eastern events, afternoon for American races — and you can rewatch them on demand after they finish.
Outside the US, F1TV Pro is available in most countries and includes live races, multiple camera angles, and on-demand replays. F1TV Pro costs roughly $80 per year or $8 per month, though availability and pricing vary by region. You can check whether it's available where you are at f1tv.formula1.com.
Cable and satellite providers still carry F1 races on ESPN, ABC, or regional sports networks if you have a traditional TV subscription. This option requires no separate streaming service but ties you to a cable package.
Key Takeaways
- ESPN+ is the primary streaming option for F1 in the United States and includes live races, practice, and may have access to sessions.
- F1TV Pro offers direct streaming from Formula 1 and is available in most countries outside the US, with pricing around $8 per month.
- Traditional cable and satellite TV still broadcast races on ESPN and ABC if you have a subscription to those services.
- Race times vary by location — European races start early morning US time, while American races typically air in the afternoon.
- All streaming options let you rewatch races on demand after they air live.
ESPN+ and the Disney Bundle
ESPN+ is owned by Disney and integrates with its other streaming services. If you already subscribe to Disney+ or Hulu, adding ESPN+ costs $14.99 per month for all three together, which is cheaper than paying for each separately. You can also get ESPN+ alone for $10.99 per month.
The ESPN+ app works on phones, tablets, computers, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and most smart TVs. You sign in with your Disney account and navigate to the Sports section to find F1 races. Live races appear on the schedule a few days before they air, and you can set reminders so you don't miss the start time.
ESPN+ also includes replays of every race, usually available within hours of the finish. This matters if you can't watch live — you can watch the full race without spoilers if you avoid social media and sports news until you've seen it.
F1TV Pro for International Viewers
F1TV Pro is run directly by Formula 1 and is the official streaming service in most countries except the United States, United Kingdom, and a few others where broadcasting rights are sold to local networks. You create an account at f1tv.formula1.com, choose your country, and subscribe if it's available in your region.
F1TV Pro includes live streams of every session — practice, may have access to, and race — plus on-demand replays, driver onboard cameras, and the ability to watch multiple camera angles at once. The service also archives past seasons, so you can watch older races. Pricing is typically €7.99 per month or €79.99 per year, though it varies by country.
One advantage of F1TV Pro is that you get the international broadcast feed, which some viewers prefer because it has less advertising and different commentary than the ESPN broadcast used in the US.
Cable and Satellite TV Options
If you have a cable or satellite subscription that includes ESPN or ABC, you can watch F1 races on those channels without paying extra. Most races air on ESPN, with some on ABC depending on the season. You can check your TV guide or the ESPN website to see which channel carries each race.
This option works well if you already pay for cable, but it ties you to watching at home on a TV set unless your provider offers a streaming app. Many cable companies do offer apps — Comcast has Xfinity, Charter has Spectrum, and others have their own — so you can sometimes stream races to your phone or tablet if you log in with your cable credentials.
Free and Ad-Supported Alternatives
Some F1 races air for free on ABC, which is available over the air if you have an antenna or through most cable packages. ABC typically carries a few races per season, usually the American Grand Prix and sometimes others. You can find out which races are on ABC by checking the F1 schedule on ESPN.com or your local TV listings.
Hulu with ads includes ESPN content, so if you subscribe to Hulu, you can watch some races there, though not all sessions are available on Hulu — ESPN+ is the more complete option. Hulu's ad-supported plan costs $7.99 per month.
Be cautious of unofficial streaming sites or social media accounts that claim to offer free F1 races. These often violate broadcasting rights and may expose your device to malware or legal risk.
Comparing Cost and Convenience
| Service | Cost | Coverage | Devices |
|---|---|---|---|
| ESPN+ | $10.99/month or $14.99 with Disney+ and Hulu | All US races, practice, may have access to, replays | Phone, tablet, computer, smart TV, streaming devices |
| F1TV Pro | €7.99/month or €79.99/year (varies by region) | All races, practice, may have access to, replays, multiple camera angles | Phone, tablet, computer, smart TV, streaming devices |
| Cable/Satellite TV | Included with existing subscription | All races on ESPN or ABC | TV set, sometimes streaming app |
| ABC (free) | Free | Selected races only (usually 2–4 per season) | TV set with antenna or cable, sometimes streaming app |
Setting Up Notifications and Schedules
Both ESPN+ and F1TV Pro let you add races to a calendar or set reminders. In ESPN+, open the race listing, tap the bell icon or "Add to Calendar," and choose how far in advance you want to be notified — usually 15 minutes, 1 hour, or 1 day before the race starts.
F1TV Pro has a similar feature: log in, go to the race schedule, and select the option to be notified. You can also subscribe to the official Formula 1 calendar (available in .ics format from f1.com) and add it to your phone's calendar app so you see race times alongside your other events.
If you watch races at different times depending on your schedule, set reminders on whichever service you use. This prevents you from accidentally opening social media and seeing the result before you've watched.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch F1 races for free?
Some races air for free on ABC, which you can watch over the air with an antenna or through most cable packages. However, not all races are free — typically only 2 to 4 per season air on ABC. ESPN+ and F1TV Pro are the most complete options and require a paid subscription.
Do I need a VPN to watch F1TV Pro if I'm in the US?
F1TV Pro is not officially available in the United States because ESPN+ holds the streaming rights. Using a VPN to access F1TV Pro from the US would violate the service's terms of use. ESPN+ is the legal option for streaming F1 in the US.
Can I watch F1 on my phone or tablet?
Yes. ESPN+ and F1TV Pro both have apps for iOS and Android. Cable provider apps also let you stream to your phone if you log in with your cable credentials. You'll need an internet connection — either WiFi or mobile data — to stream.
What time do F1 races start in my time zone?
Race times vary depending on where the Grand Prix is held. European races typically start at 1 p.m. or 2 p.m. local time, which is early morning in the US (usually 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. Eastern). American races start in the afternoon US time. Both ESPN+ and F1TV Pro show race times in your local time zone once you set your location.
Can I rewatch races if I miss them live?
Yes. ESPN+, F1TV Pro, and cable provider apps all offer on-demand replays of races, usually available within hours of the race finishing. You can watch the full race at any time after it airs.