Formula One or F1 is a single-seater international auto racing.
It consists of a series of races, and the scoring is done based on a point system to establish the annual world championship for drivers and the annual world championships for the constructor.
If you wonder how to watch F1 in the UK without spending heaps of money, you’ve come to the right place.
Learn how to watch F1 in Uk without any issues in this article.
How To Watch F1 In UK
The F1 season can be watched live in HD with its official streaming app F1 TV PRO. It is available in 188 countries, but unfortunately, the UK isn’t one of them.
Sky has the exclusive rights to live stream F1 in the UK till 2024, so if you need to watch Grand Prix live (Formula 1 race AKA F1 is otherwise called Grand Prix), Sky subscription.
If you want to watch the live race online, you can use Sky Go on your phone with your Sky subscription.
The other option is to watch the live race on a laptop, PC, Mac, phone with a NowTV Player app, Sky’s streaming service or using Sky’s Now TV Stick (subscription required).
Channel 4 also plays F1 in the channel for free but, since Sky has the exclusive rights for live telecasts, you can only watch the albeit highlights.
You can either watch Channel 4 on TV or use the All4 app on your phone or via Channel 4’s official website. Regardless, you can only watch the highlights and not the live race.
If you don’t want to spend tons of money on it and watch the race live for free on any device, you can buy and use a VPN which can come in handy for this and many other things.
Technically, it’s not free as you need to purchase a paid VPN, although some of them have a money-back guarantee if you’re not satisfied with it.
To set your VPN, connect to your phone or PC or laptop, you have to:
- Decide on your favourite yet reliable VPN service. We recommend ExpressVPN at all times for its impressive features, which you will find out in the latter part of the article.
- Create an account and purchase the plan that you prefer.
- Download the VPN software on your laptop or PC from its website or get it from the app store on your phone.
- After installation, sign in to your VPN account in the app or software.
- Connect with the country’s network that you need and stream F1 or whatever you want to watch.
Why Do You Need To Use a VPN?
Using a VPN can help you get away with running around the internet, fooling the streamers into thinking that you’re in a different country. A VPN can help you break certain restrictions to get and do what you need.
A VPN AKA Virtual Private Network masks your IP address and disguises it in another country’s location. So to access shows or sites with geo-restrictions, a VPN can come in handy.
For instance, if you want to watch a show that’s only available in the US, you can use a VPN to hide your original IP address and choose the US, to show as if you’re in the US itself, but only virtually.
So, you can stream F1 races live without any threat to your data.
Best VPN To Watch F1 In The UK
Following are the VPNs that are safe and secure for you to watch F1 in the UK. Let’s look at them one by one.
#1 ExpressVPN : Best VPN For F1 In The UK
Key Features
Privacy is their real concern.
It comes with leak protection and a built-in kill switch.
It aims in keeping your data safe and secure.
Compatible for macOS, Linux, iOS, Windows, and Android users.
ExpressVPN is our recommended VPN. It is quite popular and certainly a trusted VPN service and has a 30-day money-back guarantee.
If you ask me its major highlights, I will point out its fast service, numerous servers in various countries and user-friendly interface. Other than that, ExpressVPN has excellent customer service.
ExpressVPN has 24/7 live chat support. Additionally, it has around 160 locations in 94 countries and has a Network Lock Kill Switch for data safety and encryption.
ExpressVPN can easily access Hulu, NHL, Hotstar, Ipl, and US amazon prime etc.
It supports OpenVPN protocol and runs a disc mode in its servers for security.
ExpressVPN is compatible with Windows, macOS, Android, IOS, etc. It doesn’t have any data leaks ensuring data safety with the PPTP protocol.
#2 NordVPN
Key Features
Multi-grade encryption.
It acts as a double VPN in terms of security.
High speed and allows you to watch Amazon Prime in HD quality.
The desktop version is open for Windows, macOS, and Linux users. And its mobile applications are their iOS and Android users.
Connect up to six devices below each plan.
NordVPN is known for its special servers for streaming and P2P traffic. It doesn’t keep any logs and is the best at cracking live streams.
NordVPN is also known for its super-fast server speed so that you won’t have any buffer issues during live streams. NordVPN’s other hike is its 30-day money-back guarantee.
It has hosted 5400 servers in almost 160 countries and has a strict no-logging policy, so your data is retained while you use a digital streaming device with NordVPN.
WIth Nordvpn you can able to access HBO, NBA, and UFC etc.
It supports OpenVPN, NordLynx and IKEV2 protocols and safe and fast connections to their servers.
#3 Surfshark
Key Features
Can connect unlimited devices without any interruption.
It is a small network of VPN servers.
Good for families.
Budget-friendly.
Risk-free.
Based in the British Virgin Islands, SurfShark, founded in 2018, has a zero-log policy and 24/7 live chat support. SurfShark is the most cost-effective VPN for its eco-friendly service offers.
It has hosted around 3200+ servers in 65 countries worldwide with an average estimated speed of 48 Mbps. SurfShark allows unlimited simultaneous connections, which is a huge advantage for many.
If you’re wondering if your data information is secure with SurfShark considering such huge advanced features, here’s the answer.
SurfShark is not a part of International Surveillance Alliances, so your data is secure and safe and is never in threat.
Additionally, SurfShark also has a Kill Switch and supports OpenVPN, WireGuard and IKEv2 protocols. SurfShark supports 14+ regions worldwide and runs all its servers with RAM disc for added security.
You can use SurfShark’s app on iOS and Android. SurfShark’s other biggest highlight is its 30-day money-back guarantee.
#4 PureVPN
Key Features
Concurrently connects up to seven devices.
Compatible with Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android devices.
Concurrently connects up to seven devices built-in kill switch and leak protection option.
It doesn’t log user data.
PureVPN’s highlights would be its no-logging policy, Kill Switch and many more.
PureVPn has almost 6500 servers in 140 countries and has a 31-day money-back guarantee.
It also has 24/7 live chat support and allows ten simultaneous connections, which is not bad compared to a few other paid VPNs that offer way less.
It offers IPs and P2P support and supports split tunnelling and Ozone. PureVPN is easy to download and install but gets a bit slow when connected to foreign servers.
#5 VyprVPN
Key Features
Concurrently connects up to seven devices.
Compatible with Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android devices.
Concurrently connects up to seven devices built-in kill switch and leak protection option.
It doesn’t log user data.
VyprVPN is a secure VPN service with 24/7 live chat support and has a speed rate of 44Mbps.
Its major features are its 30-day money-return guarantee and its fast WireGuard protocol. VyprVPN is a Switzerland-based VPN service provider with 700+ services hosted in 60+ countries with no third-party involved.
The speed is certainly less than the other VPNs but secures from DNS leaks or IP address leaks. It supports OpenVPN, ChameleonTM and IKEv2 protocols.
It also has a Kill Switch for desktop with 256-bit AES encryption. VyprVPN also allows torrenting with unlimited data and bandwidth.
Why Do You Need a VPN to Watch F1 in the UK?
As said before, Sky has the exclusive rights to stream F1 live in the UK. So, watching the live F1 race is not possible for anyone residing in the UK.
This unfortunate situation calls for a VPN to watch live Formula 1 races in the UK.
We have discovered that from 2021 to 2023, F1 will be streamed live on ServusTV and ORF in Austria and on Match TV in Russia.
That being said, a VPN can come in handy to virtually change your presence to Austria and Russia.
Just make sure whichever VPN you end up choosing has servers in these particular countries and that it streams free live F1 championship online as you don’t want to go for the ones that only telecast on TV.
Free channels streaming Formula 1 championship live for free are:
| COUNTRY | CHANNEL |
| Albania | RTSH (Qualifying and Race only) |
| Austria | ServusTV and ORF eins |
| Azerbaijan | Idman TV (Qualifying and Race only) |
| Belgium | RTBF (Qualifying and Race only) |
| Brazil | Band (Race only) |
| China | CCTV-5 (Race only) |
| Hungary | M4 Sport |
| Iran | MBC Persia |
| Middle East and North Africa | MBC Action and MBC persia |
| Liechtenstein | SRG SSR (Qualifying and Race only) |
| Luxembourg | RTL (Qualifying and Race only) |
| Russia | Match TV (Qualifying and Race only) |
| Switzerland | SRG SSR (Qualifying and Race only) |
Can I Watch F1 In The UK With a Free VPN?
You can try at your own risk. If you ask if it’s safe using a free VPN, it’s questionable. You certainly have a handful of dangerous compromises that you have to make to use a VPN free of cost.
Free VPN companies also have to pay bills just like any other paid VPN companies. They host servers in a few countries too.
So, how do they get their money? From us. But, how? It’s free. This part is where it gets suspicious.
Free VPNs rely on other ways like advertisements for their income, and this is where most malware comes from.
Getting viruses and malware from a VPN whose sole purpose is to protect you will only put your security at risk giving way for hackers to meddle.
What else? They use third-party trackers to track your online activities and sell them to advertising partners or companies that buy the information for the most money to direct you to the ads that you might want to see.
Additionally, in most VPNs, you can only use a limited amount of data for free. So, in the case of watching F1, you can forget about it.
Even if you find a VPN that’s unlimited and free of cost, you’re going to have your data and security at risk with an unbearable amount of advertisements.
Compatible Devices to Watch F1 In The UK
PAID
Sky (Live):
- TV (Sky Sports F1 channel)
- Android (Sky Sports app or Sky Go app)
- iOS (Sky Sports app or Sky Go app)
- Tablet (Sky Sports app or Sky Go app)
- iPad (Sky Sports app or Sky Go app)
- PC (Sky’s official website)
- Windows (Sky’s official website)
- MacBook (Sky’s official website)
FREE
Now TV (Sky’s streaming service):
- Android
- iOS
- Tablet
- Game consoles
- Now TV streaming stick
- Windows (Now TV’s website)
- Mac (Now TV’s website)
Channel 4 (Not Live):
- TV
- Android (All4 app)
- iOS (All4 app)
- Tablet (All4 app)
- Windows (Channel 4’s official website)
- Mac (Channel 4’s official website)
USING A VPN
You can watch the F1 championship live using any device as long as you can connect VPN on your device. Some devices that are common to most VPNs are:
- Android
- iOS
- Windows
- Mac
- Linux
Following are steps involved to set up your VPN in each device:
- Android:
- Choose your favourite VPN.
- Download the app from the Google play store.
- Create an account and purchase the plan you prefer.
- Sign in and turn on your VPN and do what you needed it for.
- iOS:
- Choose your favourite VPN.
- Download the app from the App store.
- Create an account and purchase the plan you prefer.
- Sign in and turn on your VPN and do what you needed it for.
- Windows:
- Choose your favourite VPN.
- Download and install the software version for windows from its website.
- Create an account and purchase the plan you prefer.
- Sign in and turn on your VPN and do what you needed it for.
- Mac:
- Choose your favourite VPN.
- Download and install the software version for macOS from its website.
- Create an account and purchase the plan you prefer.
- Sign in and turn on your VPN and do what you needed it for.
- Linux:
- Choose your favourite VPN.
- Download and install the software version for Linux from its website.
- Create an account and purchase the plan you prefer.
- Sign in and turn on your VPN and do what you needed it for.
FAQ
- What is F1?
F1, in short for Formula 1, is the highest class of single-seater open-wheeled auto racing.
- How to choose a VPN?
VPN is mostly a personal preference. ExpressVPN is the most popular and fastest among them all.
NordVPN is also just as popular. But there are other VPNs too. So choose the one that has your requirements and fits in your price range.
- Are free VPNs safe to use?
Free VPNs are not recommended as it is not safe.
The companies that offer free VPNs have to find ways to make money in some way or the other, so as a result, they sell data to third parties or track your browsing information for advertisements.
- Why can’t I watch F1 for free in the UK?
Sky has an exclusive deal with F1 to air live races on its network. Many other countries, along with the UK, also don’t have free options to watch F1 live.
The very few countries that stream or air the F1 race live for free are listed in the article.
- Which is the most recommended VPN to go for to watch F1?
ExpressVPN is always recommended as it is the most well-known and fastest thus far. You can also go for NordVPN or any other that we have listed for reference in the article.
Conclusion
Finding a way to watch F1 is not as complicated as you would think.
Sky’s deal has certainly put us all in a difficult situation to watch F1 in the UK, but VPN comes in for the rescue.
Choose the favorite VPN, connect with the right network and enjoy watching the F1 championship live.
Just invest some time in choosing your VPN, and everything will fall into its place.
I hope this article helped you figure out how to watch F1 in the UK.
Enjoy watching!
Hey, this is Timmy. I’m a master in getting around with accessing any entertainment piece anywhere. Being a huge movie addict, I decided to help others maneuver to do the same. I love watching movies on weekends with friends and family. For this exact reason, I drove myself into researching and finding ways to make it available for everybody.
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