How to Watch Every Formula 1 Race: The Complete TV Guide

Are you ready for lights out and away we go? Keeping track of the Formula 1 schedule and figuring out exactly where to watch each Grand Prix can be tricky. This guide provides the complete F1 race calendar and breaks down the essential TV channels and streaming services you need to catch every moment of the action.

Where to Watch Formula 1: Your TV and Streaming Options

The global nature of Formula 1 means broadcasting rights vary significantly from one country to another. However, a few key players dominate the coverage. Here’s a look at the primary ways to watch F1 in major regions.

In the United States

In the USA, ESPN is the home of Formula 1. The company has exclusive rights, and it distributes the coverage across its family of networks.

  • Main Channels: Most races are broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN2, or ABC. The specific channel can change from race to race, so it’s always good to check the schedule ahead of time.
  • Streaming: If you have a cable subscription that includes ESPN, you can stream races through the ESPN app. For cord-cutters, streaming services that carry the ESPN channels are a great option. These include Sling TV, Hulu + Live TV, and YouTube TV.
  • F1 TV Pro: This is Formula 1’s own dedicated streaming service. It offers live streams of every session for every Grand Prix, complete with onboard cameras for every driver, team radio, and live timing data. It’s the ultimate experience for die-hard fans.

In the United Kingdom

For fans in the UK, Sky Sports holds the exclusive live broadcasting rights for Formula 1.

  • Sky Sports F1: This is a dedicated 24⁄7 channel that shows every practice session, qualifying, and race live and without commercial breaks. It also features extensive pre-race and post-race analysis, documentaries, and classic races.
  • NOW: If you don’t want a full Sky subscription, you can get a NOW (formerly NOW TV) Sports Membership. This allows you to stream all the Sky Sports channels, including Sky Sports F1, on a daily or monthly basis without a long-term contract.
  • Channel 4: For those without a subscription, Channel 4 offers free-to-air highlights of both qualifying and the race for every Grand Prix. They also have the rights to broadcast the British Grand Prix live.

Global Option: F1 TV Pro

Regardless of where you live, F1 TV Pro is a powerful option if it’s available in your region. It is the official streaming service from Formula 1 and provides the most comprehensive coverage available.

  • Live Sessions: Watch every F1, F2, F3, and Porsche Supercup session live.
  • Onboard Cameras: Switch to any of the 20 driver onboard cameras whenever you want.
  • Team Radio: Listen in on uncensored team radio communications.
  • Live Data: Access detailed telemetry and tire usage information in real-time.

It’s important to check the F1 TV website to confirm if the “Pro” version is available in your country, as some regions only have access to “F1 TV Access,” which provides replays and historical content but not live races.

2024 Formula 1 Race Schedule

Here is the full calendar for the current Formula 1 season. Remember to check your local TV guide or streaming service for the exact broadcast times in your time zone, as they can vary.

  • Bahrain Grand Prix - Bahrain International Circuit
  • Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Jeddah Corniche Circuit
  • Australian Grand Prix - Albert Park Circuit, Melbourne
  • Japanese Grand Prix - Suzuka International Racing Course
  • Chinese Grand Prix - Shanghai International Circuit
  • Miami Grand Prix - Miami International Autodrome
  • Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Imola Circuit
  • Monaco Grand Prix - Circuit de Monaco
  • Canadian Grand Prix - Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, Montreal
  • Spanish Grand Prix - Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya
  • Austrian Grand Prix - Red Bull Ring, Spielberg
  • British Grand Prix - Silverstone Circuit
  • Hungarian Grand Prix - Hungaroring, Budapest
  • Belgian Grand Prix - Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps
  • Dutch Grand Prix - Circuit Zandvoort
  • Italian Grand Prix - Monza Circuit
  • Azerbaijan Grand Prix - Baku City Circuit
  • Singapore Grand Prix - Marina Bay Street Circuit
  • United States Grand Prix - Circuit of the Americas, Austin
  • Mexico City Grand Prix - Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez
  • São Paulo Grand Prix - Interlagos Circuit, São Paulo
  • Las Vegas Grand Prix - Las Vegas Strip Circuit
  • Qatar Grand Prix - Lusail International Circuit
  • Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - Yas Marina Circuit

Understanding the Race Weekend Format

A typical Grand Prix weekend is spread over three days, with different sessions each day.

  • Friday: This day is dedicated to practice. There are usually two sessions, called Free Practice 1 (FP1) and Free Practice 2 (FP2), where teams test their car setups and gather data.
  • Saturday: The day starts with a final Free Practice 3 (FP3). The main event is Qualifying. This session determines the starting grid for the race on Sunday. It’s a thrilling knockout format (Q1, Q2, and Q3) that decides who gets the coveted pole position.
  • Sunday: This is Race Day. The main event, the Grand Prix, takes place.

Some weekends also feature a Sprint Race. In a sprint weekend, there is one practice session on Friday, followed by a Sprint Qualifying. Saturday features the shorter Sprint Race, followed by the main Qualifying for Sunday’s Grand Prix.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I watch Formula 1 for free? Watching live Formula 1 races for free is very limited. In the UK, Channel 4 shows free highlights and broadcasts the British Grand Prix live. In some other countries, local free-to-air channels may have rights to their home race. However, for comprehensive live coverage of the entire season, a paid subscription is typically required.

What is the best way to watch F1 without cable? The best options for cord-cutters are live TV streaming services like Sling TV or YouTube TV (in the US) that carry the main broadcasters, or a direct subscription to F1 TV Pro, which is often the most feature-rich option for dedicated fans.

Is F1 TV Pro worth the cost? If you are a serious F1 fan who wants access to every session, multiple camera angles, team radio, and in-depth data, then F1 TV Pro is absolutely worth it. For casual viewers who just want to watch the main race, a traditional TV broadcast or a standard streaming service might be sufficient.