What F1TV Access is and who runs it

F1TV Access is a streaming service run by Formula 1 that lets you watch live races, practice sessions, may have access to rounds, and replays on your phone, tablet, or computer. It is owned and operated by Formula 1 Management, the company that controls the sport itself. You pay a monthly or yearly fee to watch content that is not available on traditional television in your region.

The service exists because Formula 1 sells broadcast rights to different television networks in different countries. In some places, a local TV channel has the exclusive right to show races, so F1TV Access is not sold there. In other regions, F1TV Access is the primary way to watch live Formula 1 events. Before you sign up, check whether F1TV Access is actually available in your country — the F1TV website will tell you during the sign-up process.

F1TV Access is the basic tier of F1TV. There is also F1TV Pro, a more expensive option that adds features like multiple camera angles, radio feeds from the drivers and pit crews, and the ability to watch races without commentary. This guide covers F1TV Access only.

Key Takeaways

  • F1TV Access streams live races, may have access to, practice sessions, and replays, but is only sold in countries where Formula 1 does not have an exclusive TV deal.
  • You can watch on a phone, tablet, laptop, or connected TV, though the number of devices you can use at the same time depends on your subscription plan.
  • Monthly and yearly payment options are available, and the yearly plan costs less per month if you commit upfront.
  • You create an account on the F1TV website or app, add a payment method, and can start watching when ready after your first payment goes through.
  • F1TV Access does not include the premium features of F1TV Pro, such as multiple camera angles or driver radio feeds.

How to set up your F1TV Access account

Go to the F1TV website (f1tv.formula1.com) or read the F1TV app on your phone or tablet. Tap or click "Sign Up" and enter your email address, create a password, and fill in your name and date of birth. Formula 1 asks for your birth date to confirm you meet the minimum age requirement in your region.

After you complete your profile, you will choose between a monthly plan and a yearly plan. The yearly plan costs less per month but requires you to pay the full amount upfront. Once you choose a plan, enter your payment method — a credit card, debit card, or other payment option accepted in your country. Your subscription begins when ready after your payment is processed, which usually takes a few minutes.

You can then log in on any device using the same email and password. If you want to watch on your television, read the F1TV app on a connected TV device (such as a Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire Stick, or Samsung Smart TV) and log in with the same account. Your subscription works across all these devices, but the number of screens you can watch at the same time is limited — F1TV Access typically allows one simultaneous stream, though this can vary by region.

What content is included with F1TV Access

F1TV Access includes live streams of all Formula 1 race weekends during the season. This means you get the practice sessions (usually Friday), may have access to (usually Saturday), and the race itself (usually Sunday). You can watch these events live as they happen, or watch replays afterward if you miss the live broadcast.

The service also includes Formula 2 and Formula 3 races, which are the junior racing series that support Formula 1. Many race weekends include F2 and F3 may have access to and races, and these are streamed live on F1TV Access as well. You get the standard broadcast feed with commentary in your region's language.

F1TV Access does not include on-demand access to past seasons or archived races from previous years — that content is part of F1TV Pro or is sold separately. You also do not get multiple camera angles, driver radio feeds, or the ability to remove commentary, all of which are F1TV Pro features.

Devices you can use and streaming quality

F1TV Access works on phones and tablets running iOS or Android, laptops and computers running Windows or macOS, and connected TV devices including Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire Stick, Google TV, and Samsung Smart TV. You can also watch on some smart TVs by casting from your phone or computer using AirPlay or Chromecast.

The video quality depends on your internet connection. F1TV Access streams in up to 1080p (Full HD) on most devices, though some devices or regions may stream at lower quality if your connection is slower. You do not need a particularly fast internet connection — most modern broadband will work — but a faster connection gives you more reliable streaming without buffering.

F1TV Access allows one simultaneous stream per account in most regions, meaning you can watch on one device at a time. If someone else tries to watch on a different device while you are already watching, they will be asked to log in again or will be disconnected. Some regions or subscription tiers may allow more simultaneous streams, so check your account settings to see what your plan includes.

Pricing and payment options

F1TV Access pricing varies by country because of local taxes and currency differences. The monthly plan costs less upfront but more per month if you add up the yearly total. The yearly plan requires one large payment but works out cheaper per month. Both plans renew automatically unless you cancel.

You can pay with a credit card or debit card in most regions. Some countries also accept local payment methods such as PayPal, bank transfers, or mobile payment services. Check the payment options shown during sign-up to see what is available in your location.

Your subscription renews on the same date each month (for monthly plans) or each year (for yearly plans). You will receive an email reminder a few days before your renewal date. If you want to stop paying, you can cancel your subscription anytime through your account settings — cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing period, so you keep access until then.

Differences between F1TV Access and F1TV Pro

F1TV Pro is the premium tier and costs more than F1TV Access. The main differences are that F1TV Pro includes multiple camera angles (so you can watch from the driver's onboard camera, the pit crew camera, or other angles), live driver radio feeds (you hear what the drivers and engineers are saying to each other during the race), and the ability to watch races without commentary.

F1TV Pro also includes on-demand access to past seasons and archived races going back several years, so you can watch old races whenever you want. F1TV Access does not include this — you can only watch live events and replays of the current season.

If you start with F1TV Access and later want to upgrade to F1TV Pro, you can do so through your account settings. Your payment will be adjusted based on how much time is left in your current billing period.

Canceling your subscription

To cancel F1TV Access, log into your account on the F1TV website or app, go to your account settings or subscription section, and look for a "Cancel Subscription" or "Manage Subscription" option. Click it and confirm that you want to cancel. You will keep access to F1TV Access until the end of your current billing period — if you cancel mid-month on a monthly plan, you keep watching until the end of that month.

If you cancel a yearly plan, you lose access at the end of that year, not when ready. Some regions may allow refunds if you cancel within a certain number of days of your purchase, but this varies by country and local consumer protection laws. Check the terms for your region or contact F1TV support to ask about refund policies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I watch F1TV Access in my country?

F1TV Access is not sold everywhere. It is only available in countries where Formula 1 does not have an exclusive broadcast deal with a local television network. The easiest way to find out is to visit the F1TV website and try to sign up — it will tell you when ready whether the service is sold in your location. If it is not, you may need to watch through a local TV channel instead.

What happens if I lose internet during a live race?

If your internet drops during a live broadcast, you will be disconnected from the stream. Once your connection is back, you can log in again and resume watching. If the race is still live, you will rejoin the live broadcast. If the race has finished, you can watch the replay from the beginning or from where you left off, depending on how the app handles it.

Can I read races to watch offline?

F1TV Access does not support downloading races to watch without an internet connection. You must stream all content, which means you need an active internet connection to watch. F1TV Pro also does not include offline downloads.

Do I need a VPN to watch F1TV Access?

No, and using a VPN to access F1TV Access in a country where it is not sold may violate the terms of service. F1TV Access is only sold in certain regions because of broadcast rights agreements. If the service is not available in your country, a VPN will not help you — the service will detect your actual location and block access.

Can I share my F1TV Access account with family members?

Your F1TV Access account is for your personal use. Sharing your login with others means only one person can watch at a time, since F1TV Access allows one simultaneous stream. If multiple family members want to watch at the same time, each person would need their own subscription. Some households may be able to use a shared account if only one person watches at a time, but this depends on the terms of service in your region.