What F1 TV Access is and who can watch it

F1 TV Access is a subscription service run by Formula 1 that streams live races, practice sessions, and may have access to rounds. It is the entry-level tier — the cheapest way to watch F1 content through an official F1 subscription. You watch on your phone, tablet, computer, or compatible streaming device, and you can cancel anytime.

F1 TV Access is available in most countries outside the United States, the United Kingdom, and a few others where F1 has sold broadcast rights to local television networks. If you live in the US, you watch F1 through ESPN or ESPN+. If you live in the UK, you watch through Sky Sports. Check the F1 website for your country to see whether F1 TV is sold where you are.

The service does not require cable or a satellite dish. You sign up online, pay a monthly or annual fee, and start watching when ready. No contract locks you in — you can stop your subscription at any time.

Key Takeaways

  • F1 TV Access is the basic F1 streaming tier and costs less than F1 TV Pro, which adds on-demand replays and multiple camera angles.
  • You can watch live races, practice, and may have access to, but some content like press conferences and archived races may not be included in the Access tier.
  • The monthly price varies by country and changes year to year, so check the F1 website for your region to see the current rate.
  • You need a stable internet connection to stream, and video quality depends on your internet speed and the device you use.
  • F1 TV Access works on phones, tablets, computers, and some smart TVs, but not all streaming devices support the app.

The difference between F1 TV Access and F1 TV Pro

F1 TV Access includes live broadcasts of every race, practice session, and may have access to round. You watch the main feed — the same camera angles and commentary that a television broadcast uses. You also get access to some highlights and clips after the event ends.

F1 TV Pro includes everything in Access, plus on-demand replays of full races and sessions, multiple camera angles during live events, and access to archived races from past seasons. Pro costs more per month than Access. If you only want to watch races live and do not need replays or extra camera feeds, Access is the cheaper choice.

Neither tier includes F1 TV Play, which is a separate children's service with edited highlights and educational content. Some countries bundle these tiers differently, so read the description on the F1 website for your region to see exactly what each one offers.

How much F1 TV Access costs

The monthly price for F1 TV Access varies by country and is set by Formula 1 for each region. There is no single global price. Some countries charge roughly $3 to $5 USD per month, while others charge more or less depending on local market conditions and currency.

F1 also sells annual subscriptions, which usually cost less per month than paying month-to-month. For example, if the monthly rate is $4, the annual rate might be $40 to $45 for the whole year — a small discount for committing upfront. Check the F1 website for your country to see the exact current prices, because rates change from season to season.

Some countries offer a free tier with limited content, but this is not standard everywhere. A few regions also run promotional periods where new subscribers get the first month free or at a reduced rate. These offers come and go, so look at the sign-up page when you visit to see what is available right now.

What devices F1 TV Access works on

F1 TV Access has an app for iOS (iPhone and iPad) and Android (most phones and tablets). You can also watch on a computer through a web browser — just go to f1tv.formula1.com, log in, and start watching. The video quality on a computer depends on your internet speed and browser, but most modern browsers work fine.

Some smart TVs have an F1 TV app you can read directly. Samsung, LG, and Android TV devices often support it, but not all models do. Check your TV's app store to see if F1 TV is listed. If your TV does not have the app, you can connect a phone, tablet, or computer to your TV using an HDMI cable or wireless casting (like Chromecast or AirPlay) to watch on the big screen.

Roku, Amazon Fire Stick, and Apple TV support varies by region and changes over time. Before you buy a device specifically to watch F1, check the current app availability on the F1 website or the device maker's app store for your country.

Internet speed and streaming quality

F1 TV Access streams video, so you need a stable internet connection. Formula 1 recommends at least 2.5 Mbps for standard definition and 5 Mbps for high definition. If your internet is slower than that, the video may buffer (pause to load) or drop to a lower quality automatically.

The actual quality you see also depends on your device. A phone screen shows less detail than a large TV, so the same stream looks sharper on a phone than on a 55-inch television. If you are watching on a TV and the picture looks blurry or pixelated, try moving closer to your router, restarting your internet equipment, or closing other apps that use bandwidth.

Live events sometimes experience temporary issues if many people are streaming at once. If the stream cuts out during a race, refresh the page or close and reopen the app. F1 TV usually has a live chat or support option during races if you need when ready help.

How to sign up for F1 TV Access

Go to f1tv.formula1.com and select your country from the dropdown menu. Look for the F1 TV Access option (not Pro) and click the sign-up button. You will need to create an account with an email address and password, then choose whether you want to pay monthly or annually.

Enter your payment method — credit card, debit card, or a digital wallet like PayPal or Apple Pay, depending on what your country supports. Confirm your order, and your subscription starts when ready. You can log in right away and start watching.

Save your login details somewhere safe. If you forget your password, use the "Forgot Password" link on the login page to reset it. You can change your payment method, update your email, or cancel your subscription anytime from your account settings.

Canceling your subscription

Log into your F1 TV account on the website or app and go to your account settings or subscription page. Look for a "Cancel Subscription" or "Manage Subscription" option. Click it and follow the prompts to confirm the cancellation. Your access ends at the end of your current billing period — you do not lose access when ready.

If you paid for a full year upfront and cancel partway through, F1 does not refund the unused portion in most countries. Check the terms for your region before you sign up if this matters to you. Some countries have consumer protection laws that allow refunds in certain situations, so read the cancellation policy on the F1 website for your country.

If you cancel and later want to resubscribe, you can sign back up using the same email address. Your account history and preferences are usually saved.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I watch F1 TV Access outside my home country?

F1 TV uses geolocation to check where you are. If you travel to a country where F1 TV is not sold, or where a different broadcaster owns the rights, you may not be able to watch live races. Some subscribers report that VPNs (virtual private networks) can bypass this, but using a VPN to access content you do not have rights to in your location may violate F1's terms of service.

What happens if my internet cuts out during a live race?

If your stream stops, refresh the page or close and reopen the app to reconnect. You will rejoin the live broadcast where it currently is — you cannot rewind to where you were before the interruption. If you want to watch the full race from the beginning after it ends, you need F1 TV Pro, which includes on-demand replays. F1 TV Access does not always include full-race replays.

Can I share my F1 TV Access login with family members?

F1's terms of service state that each subscription is for personal use only. Sharing your login with people outside your household may violate the terms. Some regions allow multiple simultaneous streams on one account, but this is not standard. Check your country's terms or contact F1 support to ask what is allowed where you are.

Is there a free trial for F1 TV Access?

Some countries offer a free trial period or a discounted first month, but this is not available everywhere and changes year to year. Check the sign-up page for your country to see if a trial is running right now. If you do not see one listed, the free trial is not currently available in your region.

What if F1 TV Access is not available in my country?

F1 has sold broadcast rights to local television networks in the US, UK, and some other countries. In the US, watch through ESPN or ESPN+. In the UK, watch through Sky Sports. Check the F1 website's "Where to Watch" section for your country to find the official broadcaster in your region.