Short for Virtual Private Network, a VPN changes your online location by giving you a new IP address so you can access F1 broadcasts from your local region. I recommend ExpressVPN as it was the best during tests (out of more than 30 VPNs!). It has the fastest speeds for lag-free streaming, a huge network of global servers, and an easy-to-use app. It’s even risk-free to watch F1 with ExpressVPN as it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. You’re entitled to a refund if it doesn’t meet your expectations. Watch Formula 1 with ExpressVPN
Quick Guide: Best VPNs for F1 in 2023
Watch Formula 1 with ExpressVPN
The Best VPNs to Watch Formula 1 From Anywhere in 2023
1. ExpressVPN — Excellent Speeds for Buffer-Free F1 Live Streams
When I connected to multiple servers around the world, I was impressed with how consistent my speeds were (even on servers over 15,000km away!). It’s typical for VPN services to slow down your speeds, especially if you’re far away from a server. However, I only saw a tiny 22% drop in speed when I connected to a Melbourne server from Canada. This is plenty fast enough to live stream F1 coverage without any buffering. The ExpressVPN app makes it easy to connect to the best available server in any country. Simply double-click on a country and you’ll be automatically connected to the fastest server. Alternatively, you can click on the green power button and ExpressVPN will connect you to the best server near your location. If you want to watch F1 on a device without VPN support (like a smart TV, PlayStation or Xbox), you can even set up the MediaStreamer feature. This is essentially a Smart DNS service that connects you to a US-based DNS server — just keep in mind that this feature doesn’t encrypt your internet traffic. ExpressVPN offers 1-month, 6-month, and 1-year plans, but the best-value subscription is the 1-year-plan at $6.67 a month. You can get 3 months of ExpressVPN for free when you sign up for the longer-term plan. Every plan is backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, giving you plenty of time to test every feature for yourself. You’re eligible for a full refund if you’re not satisfied. I found the refund process very easy when I tested it myself. After requesting a refund through the 24/7 live chat, the customer service agent processed my refund in under 2 minutes — I wasn’t even asked any questions or hassled to stay. The money arrived in my account 3 days later. Watch F1 with ExpressVPN
2. CyberGhost — Watch Formula 1 on Dedicated Servers for Streaming
CyberGhost has servers optimized for the best possible speeds and performance, so you won’t have to worry about poor video quality when you’re watching the big race. The app has a dedicated selection of optimized servers under the For streaming tab, which tells you which service it works with. You can find optimized servers for a number of platforms that carry Formula 1, including ESPN, Channel 4, YouTube TV, Disney+ Hotstar, ORF, and more. The only downside is that CyberGhost is slightly slower than ExpressVPN by 5-10 Mbps on average (both upload and download speeds). It also took longer to establish a working connection to the servers. While by no means a dealbreaker, you may want to take this into account if you want the fastest VPN. CyberGhost’s cheapest plan is the 2-year + 4 months subscription at just $2.03 per month. When you sign up for a subscription of 6 months or more, a 45-day money-back guarantee is also included. This is the longest money-back guarantee out there and I think it’s a generous amount of time to watch the 2023 F1 with CyberGhost. To make sure it works, I tested the money-back guarantee myself. I asked for a refund over 24/7 live chat — even though the customer support representative offered to troubleshoot any problems to convince me to stay, I simply said I didn’t want to keep CyberGhost anymore. My refund was approved immediately afterwards and the money returned to my bank account in 5 days. Watch F1 with CyberGhost CyberGhost also unblocks: ESPN, Eurosport, Sporza, Sport1, Sky Sports, Channel 4, France TV Sport, Sportsnet, HRT Sport, 10play, Kayo Sports, SRF ZWEI, Canal+, ServusTV, Netflix, Sky TV, HBO Max, SHOWTIME, YouTube TV, Sling TV, and more.
3. Private Internet Access — Large Server Network for Global F1 Access
Private Internet Access (PIA) has an enormous server network around the world, so you can easily access Formula 1 live streams. While the majority of servers are based in the US, there’s still a wide geographical spread of servers across Europe, Asia Pacific and Africa. Even with so many IP addresses, PIA can’t always unblock every streaming service on the first connection attempt. It might take a few tries to find a working server. If you don’t want to spend time searching for a server that works, I suggest trying ExpressVPN instead as it provides much more reliable F1 access. However, at just $2.03 on a 2-year + 4 months plan, PIA is one of the most affordable monthly VPN plans on the market. It’s a great deal if you’re on a budget and you want a low-priced premium VPN. To see if it works for you, you can try Private Internet Access with the F1 risk-free as it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. I tested PIA for 4 weeks before reaching out to the live chat team to cancel my account and ask for a refund. After telling them I didn’t want the service anymore, my money was returned to my bank account in less than a week. Watch F1 with PIA
4. NordVPN — Premium VPN With Cheap Prices on Long-Term Plans
NordVPN is one of the best VPNs on the market — and you can get super cheap prices when you sign up for a long-term subscription. One thing to note, however, is that when it’s time to renew your subscription, prices do increase quite significantly. I did, however, have issues with using NordVPN’s native Fire TV app. Although it worked and unblocked some streaming services, it sometimes had issues unblocking Netflix US and kept crashing. I also found that NordVPN’s user interface for desktop devices was less user-friendly than ExpressVPN and CyberGhost. NordVPN has the following security and privacy features:
AES 256-bit encryptionA kill switch that cuts your internet access if your connection to a VPN server drops suddenlyBuilt-in ad and malware blocker, so you don’t need a third-party ad blockerFully audited no-logs policy (audited by PwC) – NordVPN doesn’t store any personal or identifying data while you’re connected to the VPN
In addition, NordVPN includes Threat Protection that protects you from viruses, infected websites, and trackers – and it works whenever you have the NordVPN app open, even if you’re not connected to a VPN server. You can stream, torrent, and browse for free for up to 30 days with NordVPN’s money-back guarantee. It has plans that cost as little as $3.69 per month. To ensure that you’ll really get your money back, I tested NordVPN’s money-back guarantee. At first, the support team tried to give me an extended trial period — but they initiated my refund right away after I told them I wasn’t interested in the extension. I got my money back in 6 business days. NordVPN works on: Windows, Mac OS, Android, iOS, Windows Phone, Chromebook, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Fire Stick, and Android TV
5. Surfshark — Best Value for Money with Unlimited Device Connections and Fast Speeds
Surfshark offers the best value for money out of every premium VPN on the market. You can connect an unlimited number of devices with a single subscription (which means you can connect your entire family and even friends!). I tested Surfshark’s unlimited connections on 2 PCs, 2 phones, a Fire Stick 4K, and an iPad. My connection remained reliable on all 6 devices. Even while I was actively streaming on all my devices, my average speed was 112 Mbps — fast enough for UltraHD quality. When I saw the price of this service, I thought it couldn’t possibly have top-grade security features for such a low price, but I was pleasantly surprised. Surfshark has the following security and privacy features:
AES 256-bit encryption on all devices, with ChaCha encryption available for Android usersWireguard VPN protocol enabled by defaultDiskless, RAM-only servers to protect your privacy (no data can be physically extracted from any servers)Kill switch (although this isn’t enabled by default)IP and DNS leak protection
Surfshark offers two-factor authentication (2FA) on your account. This feature requires you to enter an extra code before you can log in to ensure that only you (and those you share your account with) can access your account. While Surfshark does have slightly fewer global servers than rivals such as CyberGhost and PIA, I didn’t experience any issues during my tests. I easily connected fast working servers every time, and I had excellent speeds for streaming Netflix in Ultra HD, downloading torrents, and browsing the internet. You can try Surfshark for yourself with the 30-day money-back guarantee. It has plans that cost as little as $2.05. Requesting a refund is easy with Surfshark’s live chat feature. Although the support team asked why I wanted to cancel my subscription, I had no problem getting my money back (and it only took 4 days!). Surfshark works on: Windows, Mac OS, Android, iOS, Linux, Fire Stick, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Samsung Smart TVs, LG Smart TVs, Android TV, Kodi, and selected routers
Comparison Table: 2023’s Best VPNs for Watching Formula 1
Watch F1 with ExpressVPN
3 Easy Steps: How to Watch the F1 From Anywhere in 2023
Watch F1 with ExpressVPN
Where to Watch F1 Live Streams Online (Updated in January 2023)
Free-to-Air Channels
You can watch the 2023 F1 for free in the below countries:
Albania — RTSH Australia — 10play (only airs the Australian GP) Austria — Servus TV (delayed stream) and ORF Brazil — Band France — Canal+ (requires Canal subscription) Germany — Servus TV (delayed stream) India — Disney+ Hotstar (includes some past Formula 1 races, including the Bahrain Grand Prix) Italy — TV8 (delayed stream) Luxembourg — RTL Switzerland — SRF ZWEI UK — Channel 4 (highlights only and requires email, name, and UK address to sign up)
If you’re traveling abroad while the F1 is broadcasting, you can access your home country’s live stream by using a VPN. ExpressVPN has fast servers in every country broadcasting the F1, so you can keep up with every race.
Subscription and Cable Services
Australia — Fox Sports (official F1 rights holder in Australia) and Kayo Sports (has access to every practice session, qualifying session, and full Grand Prix) Canada — TSN and RDS India — Start Sports (broadcasting rights holder in India), Star Sports Select 2 (select races only), and Disney+ Hotstar (includes the Star Sports Select 2 channel) New Zealand — Spark Sports (official F1 rights holder in New Zealand) Singapore — Starhub UK — Sky Sports (official broadcaster in the UK) and NOW TV US — ESPN (holds broadcasting rights in the US), F1 TV Pro (official F1 streaming platform), Sling TV, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV (includes ESPN), and AT&T TV NOW
Jump to the full list of countries broadcasting the F1 in 2023. Watch F1 with ExpressVPN
How I Tested and Ranked the Best VPNs for Streaming F1
I tested all the leading VPNs in 2023 against the following criteria:
High speed servers — I ran several speed tests to determine whether each VPN could stream in HD and even Ultra HD quality. Global server network — Since F1 is an international sport, you need a VPN that offers connections in as many countries as possible. Device compatibility — All recommended VPNs have dedicated apps for PC, Mac, Android, and iOS. Customer support — The best VPNs have 24/7 live chat and email support in case you run into technical difficulties. Money-back guarantee — You can get a full refund if you’re unhappy with the service. This way, you can test each VPN without risking your money.
Watch F1 with ExpressVPN
What VPN works with F1?
Not all VPNs are created equal, but I’ve tested 30+ VPNs and I shortlisted the best VPNs for every Grand Prix of the 2023 season. I was most impressed by ExpressVPN as it had blazing-fast speeds on every global server I tested. This makes it a great choice for live streaming in HD. It also has more than 3000 servers in over 94 countries, so you can always connect to the F1 streaming platform of your choice. None of these streaming platforms have F1 broadcasting rights. The closest option is Netflix’s documentary series Formula 1: Drive to Survive. Don’t worry — you can still watch F1 races on other streaming platforms (some are even free-to-air!).
Can I use a free VPN to watch F1?
It’s possible, but I wouldn’t recommend it. Although there are free VPNs that are safe to use, there are strict data caps and slow speeds. While this isn’t a big deal if you’re looking to do basic web browsing, you’re going to struggle to watch hours of Formula 1 coverage in HD on limited bandwidth. Any free VPN with no limitations will have hidden costs. It’s not cheap to operate a VPN service and most of these “free” VPNs are actually secretly harvesting your personal data and browsing history to sell for a profit. This can be dangerous as it exposes you to identity theft and financial fraud. Instead of wasting your time with a free VPN, you’re better off taking advantage of a premium VPN’s money-back guarantee. For instance, you can try CyberGhost for free for 45 days with its money-back guarantee. Just remember to ask for a refund before the 45 days are complete (it’s quick and easy over 24/7 live chat).
Which countries broadcast the 2023 Formula 1?
You can check out the best free-to-air channels broadcasting the F1 in 2023, or see the full list of F1 broadcasters (including subscription-only channels below).
Africa — SuperSport Albania — RTSH Armenia — Vivaro Sports Australia — Fox Sports Channels, Network Ten Austria — Servus TV, ORF Azerbaijan — AzTV, Idman Azerbaycan Belgium — RTBF, Telenet, Play Sport Open Bosnia — Sport Klub Brazil — Bandeirantes Bulgaria — Nova, Diema Sport Canada — RDS, RDS 2, TSN, Noovo China — Great Sports TV, Guangdong Television Channel Croatia — Sport Klub Cyprus — Cytavision Czech Republic and Slovakia — AMC Denmark — TV3+, TV3 Sport, Viaplay Estonia — Viaplay Eurasia — Setanta Sports Finland — Viaplay France — Canal+ Germany — Sky Deutschland, RTL Greece — ERT, Cosmote TV Hong Kong — Now TV, Now E Hungary — M4 Iceland — Viaplay India — Star Sports Indonesia — 0 Channel, Champions TV, Vidio Israel — The Sports Channel Italy — Sky Italia Japan — Fuji TV, DAZN Kosovo — Sport Klub Latin America — ESPN, Fox Sports Mexico Latvia — Viaplay Lithuania — Viaplay Luxembourg — RTL Télé Lëtzebuerg Macedonia — Sport Klub Malaysia and Brunei — Astro Sports Malta — Go Sports Montenegro — SportKlub Myanmar — Canal+ Netherlands — Viaplay New Zealand — Spark Sport Norway — V Sport 1, V Sport +, Viaplay Papua New Guinea & Pacific Islands — TVWAN Sports Philippines — Tap DMV Poland — Eleven Sports Portugal — Sport TV Romania — Digisport, Telekom Romania, Look Sport Russia — Match TV Serbia — SportKlub Singapore — Singtel, StarHub Slovenia — SportKlub Spain and Andorra — F1 DAZN Sweden — Viaplay, V Sport Motor, TV10 Switzerland — SRF, RSI, RTS Taipei — Videoland Thailand — True Visions Turkey — S Sport, S Sport Plus Ukraine — Setanta Ukraine UK — C4, Sky Sports US — ESPN, ESPN Deportes Vietnam — K+
Don’t Miss Out on a Moment of the 2023 F1
It may seem difficult to watch Formula 1 when you’re traveling but with the use of a good VPN, you won’t miss a moment of F1 action. If you’re not sure which VPN to choose and want a quick suggestion, I recommend ExpressVPN for its fast speeds, high-quality streams, and reliable access to every F1 streaming service. Even better, you can test ExpressVPN with your favorite F1 channel for yourself. If you’re not 100% satisfied, you’re entitled to a full refund within 30 days of purchase. When I tested the process myself, no one hassled me to keep my subscription and I had the money returned to me within 3 business days.
