How to watch Formula 1 live for free anywhere

Formula 1 is back, and unfortunately, unless you’ve got access to a cable subscription, your viewing choices are pretty much non-existent.

If you’re heading abroad, you’ll also find access to any subscription service you have completely blocked.

To watch Formula 1, you’ll need a VPN app such as ExpressVPN, which will allow you to access not just your own subscription streaming services while travelling but also completely free, legal streams from overseas in any country.

I’ll cover this in detail throughout this article, so you’ll have all the information you need to avoid missing a race.

Thankfully, due to advancements in technology, there’s a pretty simple way to tap into an official overseas stream of the Formula 1 races.

So, you won’t need to resort to any dodgy or sketchy illegal websites, which aren’t just unlawful but also pose significant risks to your computer or other devices.

So, if you want to watch Formula 1 for free this season, read on to find out how.

What You Need to Watch Formula 1 for Free

Unlike in the UK, countries such as Switzerland, Germany, and Austria still show Formula 1 on free-to-air TV channels—essentially the equivalent of Freeview in the UK or Channel 4.

These TV channels also stream online, just like those in the UK. Unfortunately, you’ll find these websites blocked unless you’re in the intended country.

The great news for you is that there’s a legitimate app called a VPN that will allow you to appear as if you’re in one of those countries.

The result, if you hadn’t already guessed, is that you can watch Formula 1 completely free via one of those official overseas streams.

Where to Get a VPN to Watch Formula 1

VPN services are in high demand these days because they not only let you access overseas TV services but also serve as a legitimate tool for protecting your online privacy.

With their popularity, there is now a vast number to choose from (we even rounded up 21 of the best here), but not all are good enough for streaming live video such as Formula 1.

Our recommendation, and that of many users, is to use ExpressVPN.

They’re super fast, which means you can watch all the races without buffering, and they’re easy enough that you can be up and watching within just a couple of minutes.

However, if you have time and want to check out some further options, these are my personal top three picks:

1. ExpressVPN – Top recommendation
2. IPVanish
3. NordVPN

30-day money-back guarantee

How to Live Stream Formula 1

Once you’ve decided on one of the VPN services from above (it doesn’t matter which), you’ll need to download their app so you can unlock Formula 1.

In the steps below, I’m using ExpressVPN, but the process is much the same for the other services, so you can adapt them easily no matter which VPN service you sign up for.

1. Visit the ExpressVPN website and sign up for their service. It’s worth choosing their 12-month package, as it’s 49% cheaper than paying monthly, allowing you to watch the entire race calendar.
2. Download the correct app for your device—you’ll find it in the ‘Devices‘ section of the ExpressVPN website.
3. Open the app and log in using the account details you created when signing up.
4. Press the ‘Selected Location‘ (1) button.
5. Choose ‘Belgium‘ from the list, which you can find under ‘All Locations’ and ‘Europe’.
6. Press ‘Connect‘ if required.
7. Now, visit the RTBF website or use their app.

You can now live stream every race of the entire season for free.

30-day money-back guarantee

What Devices Can I Watch On?

Using a VPN from one of my recommended services above will allow you to watch Formula 1 on any device.

You can live stream the races on Windows and macOS computers or laptops, Android and Apple iOS phones and tablets, or even the Amazon Fire TV and Fire TV Stick if you want to watch on a big screen.

All three recommended services offer apps for all of these devices.

How Does a VPN Work with Formula 1?

Formula 1 is broadcast for free in some countries, but the websites showing it are geo-blocked, restricting access to viewers within those countries.

If you visit those websites from the UK or elsewhere, you’ll be blocked.

A VPN reroutes your data through a server in the desired country before sending it to the website you’re trying to access, acting as a middleman between you and the race stream.

As the website only sees a connection from a VPN server in the correct country, it allows access, meaning you can watch the entire race from the UK or anywhere else.

A Final Round-Up

If you want to access your paid subscription services while travelling or need a free, legal, and reliable way to stream Formula 1, ExpressVPN is the app you need.

Simply sign up, download the app, and connect to **Belgium** for free live streams or your home country to access your usual streaming services.

Now sit back and enjoy the races, no matter where you are.