How to Watch F1 Races for Free with a VPN in 2025

Formula 1 has a global fan base, with millions of fans eager to watch every race, qualifying session, and practice lap. Unfortunately, official broadcasts often have pricey subscriptions or are limited to certain regions, leaving many fans frustrated when they can’t access or afford their desired sports. That’s why more and more viewers are searching for reliable ways to stream F1 races for free.

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is one of the most effective ways to do this. It masks your IP address and connects through servers in different countries. You can also bypass geo-blocks, unlock free international streams, and watch every F1 race live—no matter where you are.

This article lets you know everything you need to know about streaming F1 races for free and paying nothing at all, all whilst living legitimately.

Streaming F1 races for free with a VPN – Quick guide

Here is the quickest, most reliable, and safest possible way to start streaming F1 races for free right now:

Pro tip: For the English commentary on RBTF and any other language channel, you can open up BBC Radio 5 Live in another tab of your browser simultaneously (you can exclude it from your virtual private network connection using split tunneling).

Why do you need a VPN to watch F1 races

Broadcasting rights in the streaming world are often a tangled web—and Formula 1 is no different. F1 sells exclusivity rights to several different broadcasters worldwide. Many platforms first buy these rights for different regions and then offer streaming to their subscribers.

However, all of this creates a discontinuity of regional content. For example, ESPN owns the rights in the U.S, Sky Sports owns the rights in the U.K., and Channel 4 has only highlights rights.

In many other places around the world, F1 TV Pro is nearly impossible to access due to other broadcasters with overlapping agreements.

So if you’re ever on the go or just want to access coverage from a different region and save on the cost (like in this case), you need a VPN. Below are some reasons why you might need a VPN.

Geographic restrictions make accessibility difficult

Most free F1 streaming services are only available in certain countries due to licensing agreements (as explained earlier). For example:

• RTBF Auvio only works in Belgium.
• ServusTV requires an Austrian IP address.
• SRF is only accessible for those in the Switzerland.
• M4 Sport only allows Hungarians to view it.

These restrictions are in place purely because different broadcasters are paying for regional rights and exclusivity, and this is the practice rights holders use to avoid competition and copyright infringement issues.

When you try to stream the service in another country, you will get an error message or your browser will redirect you to an alternative paid service.

In such a case, a VPN helps you mask your real IP address and gives you another one from the region you want to access content from. Below we discuss in a bit more detail that how a VPN helps here.

VPNs get around geographic blocks

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) can solve geo-restriction problem by:

1. Hiding your actual location by routing your internet traffic through servers in another country.
2. Giving you a new IP address relative to the location of the server you choose.
3. Encrypting your connection.
4. Tricking streaming services into thinking you are accessing it from an allowed country. (For example, tricking RTBF Auvio with a Belgium IP address.)

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Legal issues

Using a VPN to access geo-blocked content may or may not be legal in some regions (depends on the country you live in). However, there are a few important points that make doing this reasonable:

• The streaming services are bona fide public broadcasters delivering free content.
• You’re not pirating content; these are legitimate, legal streams.
• Using a VPN is completely legal in most of the world.
• No payment circumvention – you’re accessing real free services.

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VPN benefits other than streaming F1

When you watch F1 races for free with a VPN online, you are also getting:

• Better online privacy and safety.
• Protection on public Wi-Fi networks.
• Access to other geo-blocked content, worldwide.
• No ISP throttling (which gives faster streaming speed).
• Anonymous browsing to an extent.

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Best free F1 streaming sites (all legal)

Here are the best options that perform consistently well with the right VPN connection:

1. RTBF Auvio

Best aspect: RTBF Auvio provides complete coverage of F1 with Full HD quality, including all practice, qualifying, and race day coverage.

What do you get?

• Live coverage of all 24 F1
• Practice & qualifying runs
• Full HD (1080p) quality
• French language, easy interface
• No credit card required
• Works on browser, Android, iOS, iPad, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV

How to access it:

1. Connect to a Belgian Server on your VPN.
2. Go to rtbf.be/auvio/ (you can also install its mobile of streaming devices apps if you want).
3. Create a free account using any Belgian postal code.
4. Go to Sports in the menu.
5. Search for Formula 1 in live programming.
6. You are all set to start streaming right away.

Commentary language: French (but the coverage is crystal clear) 

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2. ServusTV

Best aspect: Red Bull owns this platform. It has excellent streaming quality and works on all devices, including Amazon Fire TV.

Coverage details:

• Roughly 12 F1 races each season
• German commentary
• Modern interface
• Simple to use
• No need to create an account
• Support for AirPlay to cast to other devices

How to access it:

1. Connect to an Austrian server on your VPN.
2. Open your web browser and go to servustv.com.
3. Hover over the live TV section.
4. Look for Formula 1 under the sports menu.
5. Click and start streaming right away.

Commentary language: German by default. However, you can switch to the English language as well.

Pro Tip: ServusTV will have F1 coverage in alternation with ORF, so you will need their service as well for full season coverage.

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3. ORF TVthek

Best aspect: ORF covers the F1 races that ServusTV does not have, so the two F1 streaming services complement each other.

What to expect:

• Covers the other half of all F1 races that ServusTV doesn’t
• Available on Fire and Android TV
• No registration required, and it is totally free
• Has German commentary
• Basic but usable interface

How to gain access:

1. Connect to Austria’s server via NordVPN.
2. Go to the streaming service’s website.
3. Click on the sports tab.
4. Look for live coverage of F1 when available.
5. Stream directly in your browser, or you can download its app.

Commentary language: Mostly in English while it also has German

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4. SRF

Best aspect: Play SRF offers live streaming of all 24 races of the F1 season.

Key features:

• All F1 race coverage
• Swiss German commentary
• Dependable streaming quality
• A clean, professional interface
• Mobile friendly

How to access:

1. Connect to the Swiss server via your VPN of choice (we recommend NordVPN).
2. Go to srf.ch.
3. Go to Sport → Motorsport.
4. Select and enjoy the live F1 stream.
5. Enjoy complete coverage of the races.

Commentary language: German

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5. RTL Zwee

Best aspect: RTL Zwee covers every F1 race while providing commentary in a unique form of Luxembourgish.

Key features:

• Get every race across the 24 F1 races.
• Luxembourgish (and some German) commentary.
• Good streaming quality.
• Easy to find your way around the site.
• The least amount of ads.

How to access:

• Connect your VPN to one of Germany’s servers.
• Go to its website at https://www.rtl.lu/.
• Search for the F1 section (it should be in Sport within the site’s menu bar).
• All set for you to start streaming F1 races.

Commentary language: Luxembourgish

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6. M4 Sport

Best aspect: As like RTBF Auvio, M4 Sport lets you stream every F1 race.

Key features:

• All 24 F1 races.
• Hungarian announcers.
• Manual video quality selection.
• Significantly cluttered-ish, but usable interface.
• Desktop and mobile.

How to access:

1. Open your VPN and connect to Hungary server (NordVPN has multiple fast servers in Hungary).
2. Go to mediaklikk.hu/m4.
3. Select the sports menu.
4. Find the streams for live Formula 1.
5. Select your desired quality level.

Commentary language: Hungarian

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7. F1TV Pro

Best aspect: Hosts almost all F1 races and has a simple, beginner-friendly interface.

Key features:

• 7-day free trial period (depends on seasonal availablity).
• Professional English commentary.
• Multiple views of the on-track action.
• Replays and post-race analysis on demand.
• Dedicated apps for almost every major device.

How to access:

• Open your VPN application and connect to one of the US servers.
• Go to f1tv.formula1.com.
• Sign up for the free trial (depends on when available).
• Provide US payment info (required but not charged during trial).
• Cancel the free trial before the trial ends to avoid charges.

Commentary language: English

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F1 streaming services comparison table

Streaming service	Requires VPN	Country	Language	Races covered	Cost	Legal status
RTBF Auvio	Yes	Belgium	French	All 24 races	100% Free	Legal
ServusTV	Yes	Austria	German	12 races	100% Free	Legal
ORF	Yes	Austria	German, English	12 races	100% Free	Legal
SRF	Yes	Switzerland	German	All 24 races	100% Free	Legal
RTL Zwee	Yes	Luxembourg	Luxembourgish	All 24 races	100% Free	Legal
M4 Sport	Yes	Hungary	Hungarian	All 24 races	100% Free	Legal
F1TV Pro	Yes	Varies by region	English (and others)	All 24 races	$10/month Paid Subscription	Legal

How to watch Formula 1 on different devices for free using a VPN

Now that we have covered how and where you can watch F1 races without paying, let’s look at how to set up your free streaming solution for F1 on different devices.

Windows & Mac

Streaming F1 on your PC provides the best flexibility and easiest setup process. (With every free F1 channel details covered earlier in this article, this is the method we used as a base for how to access guides.)

1. Pick and install your VPN

• Choose a reputable VPN and subscribe. We recommend NordVPN.
• Download the desktop application.
• Install, following the setup wizard.
• Log in with your account credentials.

2. Set optimal settings

• Choose the NordLynx protocol for the fastest speeds.
• Enable the kill switch for security.
• Set split tunneling if you want English commentary with BBC Radio 5 (either with BBC Sounds app on mobile or BBC Sport live pages).

3. Connect to the right server

• RTBF Auvio: Choose any Belgian server.
• ServusTV/ORF: Choose an Austrian server.
• M4 Sport: Connect in Hungary.

Wait for confirmation of a successful connection.

4. Access the relevant streaming service

• Open a web browser.
• Go to streaming if your choice.
• Allow browser translation if it asks.
• Create an account if necessary.

5. Set up English commentary (if required)

• Set up the split tunneling in your VPN.
• Select a second browser to exclude from the VPN connection.
• Open BBC Radio 5 Live in your excluded browser.
• Sync the audio with the video manually.

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iOS & Android

Want to watch F1 live free on iPhone? Or maybe your android device? You can. Watching F1 on your phone or tablet is useful for catching the action while out and about.

1. Download the VPN of your choice

• Subscribe to a reliable VPN. Our #1 recommended service is NordVPN.
• Download and install the VPN app on your iOS or Android.
• Log in to your NordVPN Account.
• Allow VPN configuration when prompted.

2. Connect to the correct VPN server

• Find your destination country from the list of servers you want to access content from.
• Tap to connect and wait for confirmation.
• Confirm the IP address location.

3. Open the streaming service

• Open your preferred web browser.
• Go to the website (from our F1 streaming websites list) you want to stream F1 from.
• Create an account, and start streaming.

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Smart TV and streaming devices

If you want to watch Formula 1 on the big screen, there are different methods for each device:

Here is what you need to do to get going on your Fire TV Stick:

1. Choose a VPN

• Select a VPN network that has a good reputation. NordVPN sits at the top.
• Download the VPN application from the Amazon Appstore and install it.
• Sign in to your account.

2. Connect to the server

• Pick the country server you want to access content from.
• Connect to the server and confirm your connection.

3. Access streaming services

• The Fire TV device has a built-in browser, or you can download apps from its app store.
• Sign up and start watching

Here is what you need to do to get set up on your Apple TV: 

1. Set up VPN on the router (recommended)

• Configure NordVPN on your router.
• Connect your Apple TV to the router network.

2. Alternatively – AirPlay method

• Install NordVPN on your iPhone/iPad/Mac.
• Open the streaming service on your mobile device.
• Cast to your Apple TV using AirPlay.

Here’s what you need to do to set up your Android TV:

1. Install the VPN app

• Download NordVPN from the Google Play Store.
• Install the VPN app and connect to the server you want.

2. Use the browsers’ built-in apps

• Find your streaming platforms in your browser.
• Install platform-specific apps if available.

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Troubleshooting and tips for seamless streaming F1

Even with the best setup, you may run into various issues from time to time. Here are the steps to resolve the most common problems:

Connection/access issues

Problem: “This content is not available in your region.”

Steps

• Clear your browser’s cache and cookies.
• Try a different server in your country.
• Use incognito/private browsing mode.
• Disable location services in your browser.
• Try a different, unrelated browser.

Problem: Streaming is slow or buffering 

Steps

• Speed test your connection (10+ Mbps is ideal for HD).
• Connect to a server that is closer to your physical location.
• Reduce your video’s quality.
• Close background apps.
• You could try using NordVPN’s NordLynx protocol for improved speeds.

Problem: VPN is not connecting.

Ways to troubleshoot while streaming F1 with a VPN:

Steps

• Change VPN connection protocols (OpenVPN, IKEv2, NordLynx).
• Try a different server, within the same country.
• Make sure your firewall settings are correct.
• Refresh/restart the internet connection.
• Seek assistance from NordVPN.
• Maximize the quality of streaming.

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How to improve the quality of your video

1. Optimize your internet connection

• Use better, wired Ethernet instead of Wi-Fi where possible.
• Close any apps and browser tabs that are not necessary.
• Pause all other downloads or streaming services.

2. Choosing a VPN Server

• Select servers with the lowest loading percentages.
• Select servers closer in distance to your location.
• Test out the different servers to see which one you get the fastest connection from.

3. Optimizing your browser

• Make sure your browser is up to date
• In the browser settings, check the box for hardware acceleration when playing videos.
• Make a habit of clearing your browser caches and cookies.
• Make sure you deactivate any extensions in your browser that are not absolutely needed.

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Finding audio and commentary

Getting English commentary:

1. Setting up dual audio streaming

• Use the split tunneling feature with NordVPN.
• Use a second browser whilst connected to the VPN, with the first browser using the main source of the video.
• Manually time the audio and video to sync.

2. Other commentary options

• BBC Radio 5 Live (worldwide availability).
• Talksport (broadcasts in the UK, covering F1).
• ESPN Radio (US-based commentary in English).

3. Sync audio with video

• Start both streams at the same time as a best practice.
• Use the control buttons from either browser to pause/play to match timing.
• Most streams had 10-30 second differences.
• You should practice with a few races with the above method to sync perfectly in the video.

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Device-specific troubleshooting

Smart TV issues

• Ensure the TV’s firmware is updated.
• Clear the app cache if you are using dedicated apps.
• Try your mobile device casting instead.
• Use a streaming stick, as it may work better.

Issues with mobile streaming

• Switched from Wi-Fi to mobile data.
• Force-closed and restarted the streaming app.
• Clear app cache and data.
• Tried requesting the desktop version of the sites.

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NordVPN – The best VPN for live Formula 1 streaming

NordVPN is the most reliable VPN service for unblocking and streaming the geo-restricted F1 streaming services. During our testing, we tried NordVPN with every streaming service, and fortunately, it unblocked almost all platforms on the go.

F1 streaming performance:

• RTBF Auvio: Works great
• ServusTV: Perfect connection
• ORF TVthek: Reliable access
• M4 Sport: Consistent streaming
• F1TV Pro: Unblocks
• SRF: Fill the key bits

2025 season Formula 1 schedule

Dates	Race	Venue	Platforms
March 14–16, 2025	Louis Vuitton Australian GP	Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit	ESPN/Fox Sports
March 21–23, 2025	Heineken Chinese GP	Shanghai International Circuit	Sky Sports/ESPN
April 4–6, 2025	Lenovo Japanese GP	Suzuka International Racing Course	ESPN+/DAZN JP
April 11–13, 2025	Gulf Air Bahrain GP	Bahrain International Circuit	F1TV/Sky Sports
April 18–20, 2025	STC Saudi Arabian GP	Jeddah Street Circuit	ESPN
May 2–5, 2025	Crypto.com Miami GP	Miami International Autodrome	ESPN
May 16–18, 2025	AWS Made in Italy Emilia Romagna GP	Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari	Sky Italia/F1 TV
May 23–25, 2025	Tag Heuer Monaco GP	Circuit de Monaco	ESPN
May 30 – June 1, 2025	Aramco Spanish GP	Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya	ESPN
June 13–15, 2025	Pirelli Canadian GP	Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve	Sky Sports/ESPN
June 27–29, 2025	MSC Cruises Austrian GP	Red Bull Ring	DAZN/ESPN+
July 4–6, 2025	Qatar Airways British GP	Silverstone Circuit	Channel 4/Sky Sports
July 25–27, 2025	Moët & Chandon Belgian GP	Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps	Sky Sports/ESPN
August 1–3, 2025	Lenovo Hungarian GP	Hungaroring	Sky Sports/ESPN
August 29–31, 2025	Heineken Dutch GP	Circuit Park Zandvoort	ESPN
September 5–7, 2025	Pirelli Italian GP	Autodromo Nazionale Monza	ESPN2
September 19–21, 2025	Qatar Airways Azerbaijan GP	Baku City Circuit	ESPN
October 3–5, 2025	Singapore Airlines Singapore GP	Marina Bay Street Circuit	ESPN
October 17–20, 2025	MSC Cruises United States GP	Circuit of the Americas	ABC
October 24–27, 2025	Mexico City GP	Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez	ABC
November 7–9, 2025	MSC Cruises São Paulo GP	Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace	ESPN2
November 21–23, 2025	Heineken Las Vegas GP	Las Vegas Street Circuit	ESPN
November 28–30, 2025	Qatar Airways Qatar GP	Losail International Circuit	ESPN2
December 5–7, 2025	Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi GP	Yas Marina Circuit	beIN SPORTS

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