5 Best VPNs to Watch F1 Live – Tested and Working in 2023

When you’re looking for a VPN for the Grand Prix, it’s not enough for that tool to simply access streaming platforms. An F1 VPN needs to offer consistently fast speeds so you can watch races in UHD. Plus, it needs to hide your real location effectively so you don’t have to contend with blocks and errors. It’s not always easy to find a VPN that fits the bill.

That’s why my team and I tested 30+ different VPNs to find the tools that wouldn’t leave us stalling at the starting line. After running countless speed tests and, yes, watching F1 races during work hours (sorry boss!), we’ve found the VPNs that deliver everything they promise.

Overall, my top recommendation is ExpressVPN. Its speeds are faster than any other VPN I’ve tried, and it can easily access F1 TV, as well as other sports streaming platforms that show the race. Plus, you can try ExpressVPN for F1 risk-free with its 30-day money-back guarantee.

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Best VPNs for F1— Full Analysis (Updated 2023)

1. ExpressVPN — Best Overall F1 VPN Thanks to its Fast Speeds

ExpressVPN has the best speeds of any of the F1 VPNs I tested. When testing its nearby servers, I never lost more than 6% from my base connection speed. I measured an average speed loss of only 20% on servers in the US, Canada, Japan, and Australia, so my connection remained fast even over long distances.

My picture quality remained the same even when skipping to different parts of the race

Connecting to a server in the US gave me instant access to F1 TV Pro, where I watched the Miami Grand Prix in Full HD without lag. With a huge server network spanning 94 countries worldwide, you’ll have no problem accessing any other F1 streaming platform you want. I tried accessing Servus TV and Sling TV and got immediate access.

Express VPN is one of the few VPNs to offer a dedicated router app. Setting up the VPN on your router will allow you to watch F1 on your smart TV (or any device that isn’t VPN-compatible). During my tests, I was able to install ExpressVPN on my router in under 10 minutes.

It’s on the more expensive side compared to some services, but it’s worth the price. Plus, it offers frequent discounts on its long-term plans. You can try ExpressVPN risk-free with its 30-day money-back guarantee. To test it out, I canceled my subscription via the 24/7 live chat and got my money back in 3 days.

Useful Features

• MediaStreamer. ExpressVPN's smart DNS service will allow you to watch F1 on devices that don’t support VPNs, like smart TVs and consoles. It works with several US streaming F1 broadcasting platforms, including Sling TV and DirecTV. It doesn’t encrypt your connection, though, so using the router app is the safer option.
• Native streaming apps. ExpressVPN offers dedicated apps for several streaming devices, including Fire TV, Firestick, Chromecast, and Android TV.
• Lightway protocol. ExpressVPN’s proprietary protocol isn’t just fast, but highly secure. So, you’ll be able to watch F1 without fear of your IP address leaking and your connection getting cut off by the streaming platform.
• Unique browser extensions. Unlike most VPNs, ExpressVPN’s browser extensions protect your entire device, not just your browser.

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2. CyberGhost — Optimized Servers for Easy Access to F1 Streaming Platforms

CyberGhost’s streaming-optimized servers can easily access several platforms that offer F1 broadcasts, including Sling TV, Servus TV, and ESPN+. There are no servers optimized for F1 TV, but I could still access the platform with its regular servers in the US, Canada, and the Netherlands.

My speeds remained stable for watching live F1 races even over long distances

This VPN’s fast speeds meant I could watch a live stream of the British GP practice race without issue. During tests, my speeds were almost as fast as ExpressVPN’s, with only a 9% drop on local servers. I lost up to 27% on some US servers, though, so I usually had to wait a few seconds for streams and on-demand races to load.

Plus, CyberGhost has one of the most intuitive VPN apps I’ve used. For example, it offers a Smart Rules feature that you can use to customize the VPN to your preference. Using Smart Rules, I set the VPN to connect automatically after launching the F1 TV app, so I had quick access to the F1 Grand Prix without any configuration needed.

Its short-term plans are a little pricey, but CyberGhost offers great value with its long-term plans, and you can try it risk-free with its 45-day money-back guarantee. If you don’t like how it works, you can get a full refund.

Useful Features:

• Watch on any device. You can watch F1 on your smart TV with CyberGhost’s smart DNS feature. Alternatively, set the VPN up on your router, and you’ll be able to stream live F1 races on any device connected to your home network.
• Dedicated IPs. For a small extra fee, you can get a dedicated IP address that only you will use. This will make it less likely for a streaming platform to detect that you’re using a VPN and block you from watching F1 races.
• Dedicated gaming servers. CyberGhost also offers gaming-optimized servers. So, if you get the itch to play Forza after a high-stakes race (and I know I do!), you’ll be able to find a fast, lag-free server for that, too.

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3. Private Internet Access (PIA) — Huge Server Network to Watch F1 From Anywhere

I was particularly impressed by Private Internet Access’s massive server network as this made it easy to find the optimal server for watching F1 live. I tried watching several F1 streaming platforms, including F1 TV, fuboTV, Sling TV, and Servus TV, and got easy access every time.

I experienced almost no slowdown when watching F1 TV with PIA’s nearby servers

I got great speeds when watching the Austrian GP on F1 TV Pro with PIA. I first tested local servers in countries where F1 TV is available and had an average speed loss of only 11%. Though speeds dropped by over 44% on long-distance connections, they never went below 62 Mbps, so I could still stream live F1 races in Full HD without buffering.

PIA is also highly customizable. It lets you choose between AES 128-bit and AES 256-bit encryption. Both are highly secure, but selecting AES 128-bit will give you optimal speeds for smooth streaming.

All of these advanced settings can be overwhelming if you’ve never used a VPN before, the app comes pre-configured, so you don’t have to change anything if you don’t want to.

Every PIA plan is backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can claim a full refund if you don’t like how it works.

Useful Features

• Unlimited devices. PIA can be used on an unlimited number of devices, so you can enjoy watching the F1 Grand Prix without worrying about being logged out by other users. It also has smart DNS to broaden your device compatibility.
• Latency display. With the latency displayed next to each server, it’s easy to find the one that offers the best speeds for watching live F1 races.
• MACE. PIA has a powerful ad, tracker, and malware blocker that lets you watch F1 races without annoying pop-ups.

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4. NordVPN — SmartPlay Lets You Watch F1 Safely on Any Device

NordVPN’s Smart DNS feature works alongside the VPN, making it even easier to stream your favorite F1 events while protecting your data. By re-routing your DNS requests automatically, the built-in SmartPlay feature makes it easy to access several F1 streaming platforms, including F1 TV, Servus TV, and Sling TV.

You’ll also get plenty of other settings to customize your connection

I was impressed by NordVPN’s speeds during my tests. After switching to its proprietary NordLynx protocol, I only lost 5% from my base speed, so I could watch live F1 races without interruptions.

The only thing I didn’t like is that its desktop interface is kind of bulky. Unlike other VPNs on this list, it also doesn’t offer an option to “favorite” your most used servers. However, I never had a problem finding a fast, lag-free server through its quick connect option.

NordVPN offers great value if you want to commit long-term. Plus, all plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try the VPN without risk.

Useful Features

• Threat Protection. NordVPN’s built-in ad-blocker will protect you against ads, trackers, and malware while streaming. Plus, it works even when the VPN is disconnected.
• Customizable kill switch. You can choose to disable all internet access when the VPN connection fails or only turn off certain apps. This means you’ll be able to watch F1 without interruption, but sensitive data from apps like social media platforms will be blocked.
• Specialty security servers. NordVPN offers Double VPN, Obfuscated, and P2P-optimized servers. Its Obfuscated servers can help you want F1 in restrictive countries like Russia and China.

Try NordVPN for Streaming F1 >>

5. Surfshark — Unlimited Device Connections for Uninterrupted F1 Streaming on Any Device

Surfshark doesn’t limit the number of devices you use the VPN with, so you can enjoy the F1 Grand Prix without interruptions due to having too many active devices. To test this, I connected the VPN to my Windows PC, my Mac, and my Android phone and tablet. My connection remained stable on all of them without any slowdown.

It also has a smart DNS feature, so you can use it to watch F1 on a broad range of devices

Surfshark can easily access F1 TV, where I watched the Monaco Grand Prix without buffering. I lost around 8% when testing servers in Austria and the Netherlands, which was more than enough to stream in HD.

However, speeds dropped significantly on overseas US servers by up to 55%, so I did have slightly slower loading times. I could watch streams in normal resolution without lag, but HD streams did suffer from the occasional buffering. I didn’t struggle too much as I have a fast base connection, but this might not be the same for you.

Surfshark offers good value for larger households, and you can get it risk-free with its tried and tested 30-day money-back guarantee. If you’re not impressed, you can get a full refund on your purchase.

Useful Features

• NoBorders mode. This feature lets you use Surfshark in countries with heavy internet censorship. It will come in handy if you want to watch F1 from Russia, China, the UAE, or any other restrictive country.
• Rotating IPs. This features changes your IP address every few minutes while your VPN stays connected. So, if one IP address gets blocked by streaming services, you don’t have to wait long before you can start watching F1 again.
• CleanWeb. Surfshark’s built-in ad blocker will protect you against ads, trackers, and malware while you’re browsing or streaming with the VPN.

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Quick Comparison Table: F1 VPN Features

You can quickly compare the best F1 VPNs by looking at the table below. I’ve included features such as price, the F1 streaming platforms they can unblock, and their speeds.

I’ve also included the maximum number of devices you can connect to each VPN. You might get booted off the VPN connection if there are too many devices connected at the same time. So, if you’re sharing an account with your household, you’ll need to bear this in mind.

Lastly, I've included the option of Smart DNS. If you wish to conveniently watch F1 on your smart TV, or if your main streaming device is not compatible with VPNs, I'd suggest considering this feature.

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Tips on Choosing the Best VPN for Watching Formula 1

During my tests, I used several criteria to find the best VPNs for watching F1. You can use them to find the best F1 VPN for your specific needs.

• Reliably works with F1 streaming platforms. I’ve tested every VPN on this list to make sure it can consistently access a variety of F1 streaming platforms so you can watch the races without interruptions.
• Fast speeds. Every VPN on my list provides high-speed connections for smooth live streaming, so you can enjoy the F1 experience without buffering or lag.
• Large server network. I only considered VPNs with a wide range of servers, so you have more options to connect to different locations. This can improve your streaming speeds and give you more options for watching F1.
• Intuitive apps. I prioritized VPN apps that are user-friendly and easy to navigate. This way, you can quickly connect to the server you want and start watching F1
• Device connections. If you want to share the VPN with other users, it should at least offer several device connections. Every VPN in this article allows you to connect at least 5 devices at once.
• Reliable customer support. I’ve tested each VPN’s 24/7 customer support to make sure help is available if you’re having trouble watching F1 through any of its servers.
• Device compatibility. All VPNs I listed are compatible with Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS. As a bonus, I’ve included some VPNs with a smart DNS service or router compatibility, as this will allow you to watch the races on any device.

Try ExpressVPN for Streaming F1 >>

Where Can I Watch F1 Races Online in 2023?

There are several platforms that broadcast the F1 Grand Prix, some of which are free to use. Most are limited to specific countries only, though, so if they’re not available in your current location, you’ll need to use a reliable VPN to access them.

Free Channels

• Servus TV and ORF. These free-to-air Austrian TV channels offer every F1 Grand Prix for free, with races split between the two platforms. There is only German commentary, though.
• RTBF. RTBF is a Belgium TV channel that offers live broadcasts of every race in the F1 Grand Prix. It only has French commentary.
• 10 Play. This Australian video-on-demand TV service offers live broadcasts of only the Australian GP for free. No other races are included, though. The commentary is in English.
• Channel 4. This free-to-air British TV channel offers live streams of the British GP only, as well as highlights of specific races. It includes English commentary.

Subscription-Based Platforms

• F1 TV. Formula 1’s official streaming site is the best option for F1 enthusiasts. It offers all live races, plus pre-race and post-race live shows, documentaries, and the official F1 archive. Commentary languages include English, German, Spanish, French, Portuguese, and Dutch.
• Hulu + Live TV. Hulu’s live TV bundle includes several F1 channels, including ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN+, and ABC Here, you can watch every live F1 race with English commentary. There is English and Spanish commentary available.
• YouTube TV. YouTube TV also offers F1 channels like ESPN and ESPN+. It is slightly more affordable than Hulu + Live TV. You can watch with English commentary only.
• fuboTV. You can also watch F1 live on ESPN with fuboTV. Commentary languages include English and Spanish. This is one of the more expensive options, however.
• Sling TV. Sling TV’s Orange plan includes F1 channels like ESPN and ESPN2. It is the most affordable of all other platforms that offer the ESPN channel lineup. The commentary is in English.
• DirecTV Stream. A DirecTV Stream subscription gives you access to ESPN and ESPN2 where you can watch live F1 races. There’s English and Spanish commentary available.

Watch F1 With ExpressVPN >>

FAQs on VPNs for Watching Formula 1

How can I watch F1 from outside the US?

The best way to watch F1 outside the US is to use a premium VPN that can access US-based F1 streaming platforms like F1 TV, DirectTV, fuboTV, and Hulu+ Live TV. Every VPN on my list works reliably with these platforms, so you’ve got plenty of options.

Can I watch F1 for free online?

Yes, some TV channels that offer F1 broadcasts are completely free to access. However, they are only available in specific countries, so you’ll still need a reliable VPN service to watch F1 races online.

That said, they’re not always the best option for watching F1 as some of them, like ServusTV, offer commentary in only the language of the country they’re available in. Others, like Channel 4 and 10 Play, don’t show all F1 races, only the Grand Prix of their respective countries.

Can I use a free VPN to watch F1?

Yes, but I don’t recommend using a free VPN for F1. Despite of what they claim, most free VPNs can’t reliably access F1 streaming platforms. You’re much better off using a premium VPN with a tried and tested money-back guarantee.

Plus, free VPNshave data caps and speed restrictions, so you’ll only be able to watch the races for a maximum of a few hours a month. Even worse, some free services log and sell user data for profit, compromising your online privacy.

What is the best VPN for F1 TV Pro?

That depends on what you’re looking for in a VPN. My top recommended VPN is great for lag-free F1 TV Pro streaming. I’ve also got options that offer unlimited device connections, which is great for large households of F1 lovers who want to watch different races. All offer fantastic security features to protect your data while you stream, too.

Get the Best VPN for F1

The best way to watch every game of the F1 Grand Prix is with a VPN. A reliable premium VPN gives you access to a wide range of F1 streaming services and protects your online privacy without compromising on speed.

After testing over 30 different VPNs, only a handful were fast enough for smooth F1 streaming. My top recommendation is ExpressVPN. It gave me the best speeds for streaming and allowed me to watch F1 lag-free. You can watch F1 with ExpressVPN risk-free, as it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee

To summarize, these are the best VPNs for watching F1…