The Best VPNs for Watching Formula 1 2024

Geo-restrictions can keep fans from being able to view Formula 1 races, but a virtual private network (VPN) can help circumvent these restrictions while offering additional features and protections.

NordVPN definitely has a lot of unique features like Onion over VPN and Meshnet, as well as standard features like a kill switch and split tunneling. Surfshark includes top-tier antivirus protection if you’re looking to bundle your VPN with protection software that will last long after the race is over. ExpressVPN is for viewers wanting variety in their streaming services, as it offers support for several different platforms that all carry the races.

For a deeper look into these VPNs as well as our honorable mentions, check out our breakdown below.

The best VPNs for watching Formula 1

It can be frustrating to try and get around geo-restrictions when you want to watch your favorite sport. A VPN makes that significantly easier, but there are other benefits as well.

NordVPN offers a variety of unique features like Meshnet, Threat Protection, and Onion over VPN servers that all increase the security of your encrypted connection. Surfshark takes security outside of just the VPN space, incorporating antivirus and even identity theft protection into its plans. ExpressVPN is also a security-focused heavy hitter that supports a surprisingly high number of streaming services. Any of these would be an excellent addition to your security stack.

• NordVPN: Best for unique features
• Surfshark: Best for additional security
• ExpressVPN:Best for streaming variety

Top 3 VPN services for watching Formula 1 compared

VPN
Starting price	Starts at $2.99/mo (billed every two years)	Starts at $1.99/mo (billed every two years)	Starts at $6.25/mo (billed annually)
Money-back guarantee
Streaming support	Yes — Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Sling TV, DirecTV, YouTube TV, and more	Yes — Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Sling TV, DirecTV, YouTube TV, and more	Yes — Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Sling TV, DirecTV, YouTube, ESPN, and more
Learn more	Get NordVPN Read NordVPN Review	Get Surfshark Read Surfshark Review	Get ExpressVPN ExpressVPNReview

NordVPN: Best for unique features

Who it’s best for

If you want additional features to help with your VPN connection, NordVPN gives you a lot of options. Meshnet makes it look like everyone is connecting from the same location, which means you can travel the world and still appear to be in your own living room. Threat Protection helps stop ads and trackers around the web from figuring out you aren’t in the correct location to watch F1.

Other features, like Onion over VPN, give you the ability to use Tor browser for ultimate security. If these are the kinds of unique features you’re looking for, then this is the VPN for you.

What we liked

There’s so much to like about NordVPN. In addition to all the unique features, you can also bundle your VPN with NordPass (the Nord brand password manager) or NordLocker (for encrypted cloud storage). If you’re juggling multiple free trials to watch F1, Nord’s tools can help you keep track of all that.

Plus, NordVPN has its own protocol built around the WireGuard technology. It’s fast, secure, and available on a variety of operating systems. If you’re dealing with throttling by your internet service provider (ISP), slow speeds, or buffering, NordLynx can actually correct those issues to give you a seamless experience, so you don’t miss one twist or turn of the track. 

What we didn’t like

NordVPN removed Netflix from its support options. We get it: Netflix is cracking down on VPN usage, and we’re not sure how dicey it’ll get between the streaming giant and VPN companies. It doesn’t mean we’re thrilled.

You can still watch Netflix with NordVPN, and so far we haven’t had any issues streaming. The problem is that, if Netflix does block NordVPN in the future, there isn’t a direct place where you can troubleshoot the connection.

NordVPN specs

Price range	$2.99–$17.99/mo
Money-back guarantee	30-day money-back guarantee
Number of servers	6,800+ servers in 111 countries
Number of connected devices	10
VPN protocol	OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec, NordLynx
No-logs policy	No logs
Unblocks Netflix?	Yes (unofficially)
Torrenting support	Yes
Learn more	Get NordVPN Read NordVPN Review

Surfshark: Best for additional security

Who it’s best for

Anyone looking for a way to bundle a VPN with an antivirus. Many antivirus services offer VPNs, but they aren’t very useful outside of normal encryption and basic features. Surfshark has a robust VPN service with a lot of powerful features and an equally strong antivirus product that offers superior protection.

If you’re trying to watch F1 on a site offering free viewing, you’ll want to make sure you have top-notch cybersecurity to avoid getting a virus or malware infection. These sites may try to steal your credentials.

What we liked

Surfshark has a robust all-in-one product. The VPN is powerful enough to unblock geo-restrictions on streaming services, and the antivirus is robust enough to protect you against viruses and malware, including ransomware.

If you’re accessing various websites rather than a streaming service to watch F1, they could have unknown malware lurking behind them, waiting for you. Using a VPN with heavy security can thwart these potential attacks.

We love that Surfshark offers unlimited simultaneous connections, which means your entire family can be covered on every device.

If you want to take it a step further, Surfshark One+ has antivirus, a VPN, and identity theft protection. The service can help protect you from fraud and identity theft, as well as reduce the spam you get from trackers and ads around the internet. Whether you’re watching the races or betting on them as well, this level of security will ensure your devices and identity stay protected.

What we didn’t like

Surfshark moved its original headquarters from the British Virgin Islands, which is a privacy-safe space, to the Netherlands, which is a Nine Eyes country. The Eyes Alliances are known for spying on citizens, so privacy aficionados aren’t thrilled with security software headquartered in those locations.

Surfshark specs

Price range	$1.99–$17.95/mo
Money-back guarantee	30-day money-back guarantee
Number of servers	3,200+ servers in 100 countries
Number of connected devices	Unlimited
VPN protocol	WireGuard, IKEv2, OpenVPN
No-logs policy	No logs
Unblocks Netflix?	Yes
Torrenting support	Yes
Learn more	Get Surfshark VPN Read Surfshark VPN Review

ExpressVPN: Best for streaming variety

Who it’s best for

Anyone who’s looking for a VPN that supports a large variety of streaming services. ExpressVPN lists options for multiple streaming services for entertainment and sports, as well as international streaming, social media, messaging apps and editing tools, and even games and music. It offers a lot of streaming variety for everyone’s tastes.

What we liked

When looking for VPNs to watch Formula 1, we were surprised at how many sports streaming options ExpressVPN has listed. VPNs that offer excellent streaming options typically support ESPN, but ExpressVPN also offers coverage for beIN Sports, Sling, DirecTV, Sky Go, Fubo, and more. 

It’s impressive, especially from a VPN we typically think of for tight security and proprietary features like the Lightway protocol and the Aircove router.

Speaking of those two, it’s nice to know that ExpressVPN values security enough to create its own proprietary features. Lightway is a protocol that ExpressVPN built itself for its own use. Aircove was built by ExpressVPN and comes with the VPN preinstalled, so you don’t need to worry about configuring anything.

What we didn’t like

ExpressVPN is powerful and feature-rich, and it offers support for a variety of streaming platforms, but that all comes at a higher cost than many of its competitors. It also rarely goes on sale or offers a deal.

We weren’t thrilled with the fact that you have to purchase a separate subscription to use ExpressVPN on the Aircove. With the price of the router, we were hoping it would at least include a month or two of ExpressVPN at no cost, but it does not. 

If you don’t keep your ExpressVPN subscription, you can still use Aircove as a normal router, but we wish it would come with some sort of price break for the service.

ExpressVPN specs

Price range	$4.99–$12.95/mo
Money-back guarantee	Yes — 30 days
Number of servers	Unlisted in 105 countries
Number of connected devices	8
VPN protocol	Lightway (proprietary), OpenVPN, IKEv2
No-logs policy	No logs
Unblocks Netflix?	Yes
Torrenting support	Yes
Learn more	Get ExpressVPN Read ExpressVPN Review

Honorable mentions

While we believe in the options we’ve selected, you can pick one of our honorable mentions if none of our choices quite fit your needs. The best VPNs offer speed, security, robust features, and reasonable pricing. Check out the offers below for more information.

• CyberGhost: CyberGhost covers an enormous number of streaming platforms, so you can watch libraries of content on Netflix, Disney+, or even stream TV. It’s also reasonably priced and headquartered in Romania, which respects your privacy.
  
  Get CyberGhost | Read Our CyberGhost Review

• Private Internet Access: PIA has over 10 years in the VPN business and offers unlimited simultaneous connections. It also offers some of the best pricing in the business and can get you connected with a dedicated IP address for a small additional fee.
  
  Get PIA | Read Our PIA Review

How to watch F1 races with a VPN

Each VPN will have different specifics for using the services offered, but to watch Formula 1 racing, you can follow a general set of guidelines. Your first step is to sign up for and download a VPN of your choice.

1. First, make sure your streaming apps are all closed. If you’re watching on a computer, close your browser. You could even restart your computer to clear everything out.
2. Next, open your VPN and choose a server in the country with geo-access: the U.S., Sweden, the Netherlands, or New Zealand.
3. Once you have a connection, open your browser in incognito mode or private browsing, or launch the app from your TV or mobile device.
4. Finally, all you’ll need to do is find the race and enjoy!

How we test VPNs

We checked our testing notes and specifics on each service’s website to make sure it was optimized for streaming. We also wanted to make sure that the options we picked were safe, fast, and reliable. In addition, we chose VPNs that offered streaming support and could be easily downloaded on a multitude of devices and operating systems. Features we looked for:

• Streaming-optimized servers
• Obfuscated servers
• Streaming support
• Torrenting support
• No logs
• Money-back guarantees
• High server count
• Multiple VPN protocols
• Increased security

FAQs

Bottom line: The best VPNs for watching Formula 1

We think NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN are three of the best VPNs for watching Formula 1 racing, no matter where you are in the world.

NordVPN offers unique features that can help you stay safe while watching from anywhere in the world. Surfshark bypasses streaming blocks while adding much-needed security. Finally, ExpressVPN is fast and secure while also supporting a large variety of streaming services. Any of these would get you onto the internet and watching before the first lap begins.

3 best VPNs for watching Formula 1 2024

	Starting price	Best for	Learn more
	Starts at $2.99/mo (billed every two years)	Best for unique features	Get NordVPN Read NordVPN Review
	Starts at $1.99/mo (billed every two years)	Best for additional security	Get Surfshark Read Surfshark Review
	Starts at $6.25/mo (billed annually)	Best for streaming variety	Get ExpressVPN Read ExpressVPN Review