Your Ultimate Guide to the Formula 1 TV Schedule

Never miss a moment of the high-speed action. You’re looking for the complete Formula 1 race schedule and how to watch it, and you’ve come to the right place. This guide provides everything you need to know, from the full race calendar to the specific channels and streaming services that bring the excitement to your screen.

How to Watch Formula 1: Main Broadcasters and Services

Watching Formula 1 depends heavily on your location. Different countries have exclusive broadcast rights holders. Here’s a breakdown of the most popular options in major English-speaking regions so you can find the right service for you.

Watching in the United States

In the USA, ESPN is the home of Formula 1. They have a comprehensive agreement to broadcast every session of every race weekend.

  • Cable and Satellite TV: If you have a traditional cable or satellite subscription, you can watch races on channels like ESPN, ESPN2, and ABC. The specific channel often depends on the race, with major events like the Miami or Monaco Grand Prix sometimes airing on the main ABC network.
  • Live TV Streaming Services: For those who have cut the cord, you can access the ESPN channels through various streaming platforms. Popular choices that carry the necessary channels include:
    • Hulu + Live TV: Includes the full suite of ESPN channels and ABC.
    • Sling TV (Orange Plan): A budget-friendly option that includes ESPN and ESPN2.
    • YouTube TV: Offers a comprehensive package with all the channels you need for F1 coverage.
    • FuboTV: Another great option that carries ESPN and ABC.

Watching in the United Kingdom

In the UK, Sky Sports holds the exclusive rights to live Formula 1 coverage.

  • Sky Sports F1: This is a dedicated channel that broadcasts every practice session, qualifying, sprint race, and Grand Prix live. It also features extensive pre-race and post-race analysis, documentaries, and classic races. You can get this channel through a Sky TV subscription or a contract-free monthly pass with NOW (formerly NOW TV).
  • Channel 4: For fans without a Sky subscription, Channel 4 offers free-to-air highlights of both qualifying and the race. Additionally, they have the rights to broadcast the British Grand Prix live each year.

The Official F1 Streaming Service: F1 TV Pro

For the most dedicated fans, Formula 1 offers its own direct-to-consumer streaming service. It comes in two tiers, but the one you need for live races is F1 TV Pro.

  • F1 TV Pro: This premium service is the ultimate F1 viewing experience. It offers live streams of every single session for every Grand Prix. What makes it unique is the ability to switch between multiple onboard cameras from any of the 20 drivers, listen to uncensored team radio, and access a wealth of live timing data. It is the most immersive way to watch a race.
  • F1 TV Access: This is the lower-cost tier. It does not include live race broadcasts. Instead, it provides live timing data, race replays (usually available a few days after the event), and access to a massive archive of historical F1 races.

Important Note: The availability of F1 TV Pro varies by country due to existing broadcast rights. For example, it is available in the United States but not in the United Kingdom, where Sky Sports has exclusivity. Always check the F1 TV website for availability in your specific region.

The Complete 2024 Formula 1 Race Calendar

Here is the full schedule for the 2024 FIA Formula 1 World Championship. Mark your calendars so you don’t miss a single race. Note that start times are subject to change, so always check your local listings closer to the race weekend.

  • Bahrain Grand Prix: February 29 - March 2
  • Saudi Arabian Grand Prix: March 7 - 9
  • Australian Grand Prix: March 22 - 24
  • Japanese Grand Prix: April 5 - 7
  • Chinese Grand Prix: April 19 - 21 (Sprint Weekend)
  • Miami Grand Prix: May 3 - 5 (Sprint Weekend)
  • Emilia Romagna Grand Prix: May 17 - 19
  • Monaco Grand Prix: May 24 - 26
  • Canadian Grand Prix: June 7 - 9
  • Spanish Grand Prix: June 21 - 23
  • Austrian Grand Prix: June 28 - 30 (Sprint Weekend)
  • British Grand Prix: July 5 - 7
  • Hungarian Grand Prix: July 19 - 21
  • Belgian Grand Prix: July 26 - 28
  • Dutch Grand Prix: August 23 - 25
  • Italian Grand Prix: August 30 - September 1
  • Azerbaijan Grand Prix: September 13 - 15
  • Singapore Grand Prix: September 20 - 22
  • United States Grand Prix (Austin): October 18 - 20 (Sprint Weekend)
  • Mexico City Grand Prix: October 25 - 27
  • SĂŁo Paulo Grand Prix: November 1 - 3 (Sprint Weekend)
  • Las Vegas Grand Prix: November 21 - 23
  • Qatar Grand Prix: November 29 - December 1 (Sprint Weekend)
  • Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: December 6 - 8

Understanding the Race Weekend Format

A Formula 1 event is more than just the main race on Sunday. The entire weekend is packed with action that determines the starting grid and allows teams to perfect their car setups.

  • Practice Sessions (FP1, FP2, FP3): Teams and drivers have three one-hour sessions to test their cars, try different tire compounds, and find the optimal setup for the specific track.
  • Qualifying: This crucial session determines the starting order for the Grand Prix. It’s a three-part knockout session (Q1, Q2, Q3) where the slowest drivers are eliminated in each part until the top 10 fight for pole position.
  • Sprint Weekends: A select number of race weekends feature a different format. These include a 100km “Sprint” race on Saturday. On these weekends, there is only one practice session, followed by a “Sprint Qualifying” that sets the grid for the Sprint. The main qualifying session for the Sunday Grand Prix also takes place.
  • The Grand Prix: This is the main event on Sunday, where drivers race for the win and championship points.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I watch Formula 1 for free? In most major markets like the US and UK, watching live races for free legally is very limited. In the UK, you can watch the British Grand Prix live on Channel 4 and highlights of all other races. In other regions, some broadcasters might have rights to one local race. Otherwise, a paid subscription is typically required.

What is the best way to watch F1 without cable? The best options are live TV streaming services like Hulu + Live TV or Sling TV in the US, which give you the ESPN channels. For the most immersive experience, F1 TV Pro is the top choice if it’s available in your country.

How can I watch race replays? Most broadcasters offer replays through their on-demand services (like the ESPN app or Sky Go). F1 TV Pro and F1 TV Access both provide access to full race replays shortly after the live event concludes.