Formula 1, with its blend of high-speed racing, cutting-edge technology, and global superstars, has captured the imagination of fans worldwide. For enthusiasts in the USA looking to catch every heart-stopping moment, however, figuring out how to watch F1 live can be a challenge.
With multiple races happening in different time zones and on various networks, it can be daunting to keep track of where and when to tune in. But fear not! We’ve got you covered with this complete guide on where to watch F1 in the USA.
Let’s jump in!
Why bother learning about where to watch F1 races?
In the US, Formula 1 races are not as widely broadcast as sports like football or basketball. This makes it all the more important to know where and when you can catch your favorite F1 races.
Moreover, knowing where to watch F1 events in advance can save you from scrambling for a stream at the last minute or missing out on critical moments due to time differences. So whether you’re a die-hard fan or just getting into the sport, you’ll need to learn where to watch F1 in the USA.
How to watch F1 in USA?
Now that we’ve established the importance of knowing where to watch F1, let’s dive into the different options available in the USA.
The most traditional way to catch F1 races in the USA is through cable or satellite TV. Channels like ESPN, ABC, CBS, and NBC have contracts with Formula 1 for broadcasting rights, so you can tune into these channels to watch F1 live. However, keep in mind that the races may not always be broadcast on these channels, so it’s a good idea to check their schedules beforehand.
The problem with relying solely on cable or satellite TV is that you may not have access to all the races. Some channels may only broadcast select races, and others may require you to purchase a premium sports package for an extra fee. In addition, many people don’t have access to cable or satellite TV nowadays.
How to watch F1 live without cable?
So how do you watch F1 in the USA if you don’t have cable or satellite TV? The answer is F1 streaming services.
In recent years, streaming platforms like ESPN+, Sling TV, and F1 TV Pro have become popular options for watching live sports without a traditional cable or satellite subscription. These services offer packages specifically for Formula 1 fans that include all races and qualifying sessions. You can also stream races on their corresponding websites or mobile apps, making it easy to watch F1 live from anywhere.
In this section, we’ll take a closer look at some of these popular streaming services so that you can make an informed decision on which one to choose.
ESPN+
ESPN+ is a popular streaming service that offers live and on-demand content for various sports, including Formula 1. For F1 fans in the USA, it’s a great option as it includes all races and qualifying sessions in its package.
In addition to live races, ESPN+ also provides exclusive pre- and post-race coverage, interviews with drivers and teams, as well as other F1 related content. It also offers a 7-day free trial for new subscribers, so you can test it out before committing to a subscription.
An ESPN+ subscription starts at $10.99 per month and can be accessed on various devices like smart TVs, computers, tablets, and smartphones.
Sling TV
Sling TV is another popular streaming service that offers live and on-demand content for various channels, including ESPN and ABC. This makes it a good option for F1 fans as they can watch races broadcasted on these channels without having to purchase a cable or satellite TV subscription.
However, Sling TV does not offer all races in its package, so you may have to purchase additional packages or pay-per-view options to catch all the races. It also offers a 7-day free trial for new subscribers.
In terms of pricing, Sling TV’s base package starts at $40 per month, and that gives you access to ESPN channels, as well as other popular channels like CNN, HGTV, and AMC. So if you’re looking for a more comprehensive streaming service, Sling TV may be the way to go.
F1 TV Pro
Last but not least, we have F1 TV Pro, the official streaming service for Formula 1. This service offers live and on-demand coverage of all races, including access to onboard cameras and team radio communications.
As the official streaming service, F1 TV Pro also offers exclusive content like documentaries and behind-the-scenes footage, making it a must-have for die-hard fans. You also get access to all races from previous seasons, so you can relive your favorite moments at any time.
An F1 TV pro subscription starts at $10.99 per month and can be accessed through the official F1 TV website or mobile app. If the F1 TV pro price is a bit steep for you, there is a cheaper option called F1 TV Access, which offers live race timing and radio commentary for $2.99 per month. However, the TV access plan does not include live races and only offers on-demand content.
F1 Streaming service not available in your region?
If you’re an F1 fan living outside of the USA, you may have trouble accessing some of these streaming services due to geographical restrictions. But don’t worry, there’s a solution: using a virtual private network (VPN).
A VPN can mask your IP address and make it appear as though you are accessing the internet from another location. This means that you can use a VPN to connect to a server located in a region where that particular streaming service is available, and voila! You now have access to that streaming service.
The good news is that you can easily start doing just that with ClearVPN — a VPN that will make streaming F1 in the USA (and other regions) a breeze. ClearVPN offers a “Streaming” that allows you to easily unblock specific streaming services from different regions. All you need to do is download and install the ClearVPN app on your streaming device (PC, macOS, iOS or Android).
For example, let’s say you need to unblock access to F1 TV. Go to the location from the main screen > then choose “Streaming services”.
You will then see a list of popular streaming services that you can unblock using ClearVPN. You can find F1 TV on this list.
Note that while you can explore and use the basic functions of ClearVPN for free, the streaming feature mentioned above is a premium feature and requires a subscription.
F1 2024 calendar
Aside from knowing how to watch Formula 1 live, you may also want to know when the races will take place. The F1 2024 calendar has recently been announced and is shaping up to be an exciting season.
Here are some of the key dates for the rest of the 2024 F1 season (as of this writing):
- Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix: March 22 to 24
- Formula 1 MSC Cruises Japanese Grand Prix: April 05 to 07
- Formula 1 Lenovo Chinese Grand Prix: April 19 to 21
- Formula 1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix: May 03 to 05
- Formula 1 MSC Cruises Gran Premio Dell’Emilia-Romagna: May 17 to 19
- Formula 1 Grand Prix de Monaco: May 24 to 26
- Formula 1 AWS Grand Prix du Canada: June 07 to 09
- Fórmula 1 Aramco Gran Premio de España: June 21 to 23
- Formula 1 Qatar Airways Austrian Grand Prix: June 28 to 30
- Formula 1 Qatar Airways British Grand Prix: July 05 to 07
- Formula 1 Hungarian Grand Prix: July 19 to 21
- Formula 1 Rolex Belgian Grand Prix: July 26 to 28
- Formula 1 Heineken Dutch Grand Prix: August 23 to 25
- Formula 1 Pirelli Gran Premio D’Italia: August 30 to September 01
- Formula 1 Qatar Airways Azerbaijan Grand Prix: September 13 to 15
- Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix: September 20 to 22
- Formula 1 Pirelli United States Grand Prix: October 18 to 20
- Fórmula 1 Gran Premio de la Ciudad de México: October 25 to 27
- Fórmula 1 Lenovo Grande Prêmio de São Paulo: November 01 to 03
- Formula 1 Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix: November 21 to 23
- Formula 1 Qatar Airways Qatar Grand Prix: November 29 to December 01
- Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: December 06 to 08
FAQs
How can I watch F1 live in USA?
You can watch Formula 1 live in the USA through various streaming services, such as ESPN+, Sling TV, and F1 TV Pro. These services offer access to both live and on-demand coverage of all races.
Can I watch F1 live on YouTube?
No, you cannot watch Formula 1 live on YouTube. However, the official Formula 1 channel does offer highlights and race recaps after each event.
Does F1 TV work with a VPN?
Yes, F1 TV can work with a VPN. By connecting to a server in a region where F1 TV is available, you can use the service even if it’s not officially accessible in your region.