The Best VPNs for Watching Formula 1 2024
A VPN lets you catch the race from almost anywhere in the world.
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Last updated Apr 11, 2024
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Best Unique Security Features
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Ultra-secure, high-speed VPN complete with malware protection and automatic blocking of intrusive ads and third-party trackers
Too many confusing plans
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Best for Additional Security
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View More
Best Streaming Variety
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Editorial Rating
Learn More
On ExpressVPN's website
ExpressVPN
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More expensive than NordVPN, Surfshark, and CyberGhost
View More
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.
NordVPN
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Ultra-secure, high-speed VPN complete with malware protection and automatic blocking of intrusive ads and third-party trackers
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Other benefits include a premium password manager, dark web monitoring, and access to IP-restricted content
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3 plans to choose from for custom protection on up to 10 devices
- Too many confusing plans
In this article
The best VPNs for watching Formula 1NordVPN: Best for unique features
Surfshark: Best for additional security
ExpressVPN: Best for streaming variety
Honorable mentions
How to watch F1 races with a VPN
How we tested the best VPNs for watching Formula 1
Best VPNs for watching Formula 1 FAQs
Bottom line: The best VPNs for watching Formula 1
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 $3.99/mo | Starts at $2.29/mo | Starts at $6.67/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 | Get Surfshark | Get ExpressVPN |
NordVPN: Best for unique features
NordVPN
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Ultra-secure, high-speed VPN complete with malware protection and automatic blocking of intrusive ads and third-party trackers
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Other benefits include a premium password manager, dark web monitoring, and access to IP-restricted content
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3 plans to choose from for custom protection on up to 10 devices
- Too many confusing plans
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.
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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 both fast and secure and is 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. It’s pretty impressive.
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 | $3.99–$15.99/mo |
| Money-back guarantee | 30-day money-back guarantee |
| Number of servers | 6,300+ 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 |
Surfshark: Best for additional security
Surfshark
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All-in-one VPN app with 24/7 protection thanks to 3,200+ RAM-only servers in over 100 countries
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Real-time malware defense, webcam protection, alternative ID creation, ad blocking, and more
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One subscription covers unlimited devices for your entire household with access to 24/7 support
- Headquarters in Nine Eyes Alliance
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 as strong antivirus product that offers superior protection.
If you’re trying to watch F1 from 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.
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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 this.
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 | $2.29–$21.99/mo |
| Money-back guarantee | 30-day money-back guarantee |
| Number of servers | 3,200+ 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 |
ExpressVPN: Best for streaming variety
ExpressVPN
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Hides intrusive display ads when browsing the web, improving page speed and easing data usage on mobile
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Privacy and safety benefits of a VPN with best-in-class encryption and innovative server technology in 105 countries
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Enjoy no activity logs, malicious sites and trackers protection, and more on up to 8 devices
- More expensive than NordVPN, Surfshark, and CyberGhost
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.
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What we liked
When looking for VPNs to watch Formula 1, we were surprised at how many sports streaming options ExpressVPN has listed. ESPN is usually supported by VPNs that have great streaming options, but ExpressVPN also covers 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 is a router 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 | $6.67–$12.95/mo |
| Money-back guarantee | Yes — 30 days |
| Number of servers | Undisclosed servers, 105 countries |
| Number of connected devices | 8 |
| VPN protocol | Lightway (proprietary), L2TP/IPsec, OpenVPN, IKEv2 |
| No-logs policy | No logs |
| Unblocks Netflix? | Yes |
| Torrenting support | Yes |
| Learn more | Get ExpressVPN |
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.
- First, make sure your streaming apps are all closed. If you’re watching on a computer, close out of your browser. You could even restart your computer to clear everything out.
- Next, open your VPN and choose a server in the country with geo-access: The U.S., Sweden, the Netherlands, or New Zealand.
- Once you have a connection, open your browser in incognito mode or private browsing, or launch the app from your TV or mobile device.
- Finally, all you’ll need to do is find the race and enjoy!
How we tested the best VPNs for watching Formula 1
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
Best VPNs for watching Formula 1 FAQs
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How can I watch an F1 race live?
To watch an F1 race live, you’ll need to connect to a VPN service with servers in the country where the sport is licensed for viewing. The U.S., Sweden, the Netherlands, and New Zealand are all good options. All you’ll need after that is to open a private browser or launch your streaming app and watch the race.
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Can I watch F1 with a VPN?
Yes, if you have a strong enough VPN with obfuscated servers, you’ll be able to watch F1 from anywhere in the world. You need a quality VPN to bypass content geo-restrictions and blockers put in place by streaming services. Free or low quality VPNs usually can’t achieve the level of obfuscation needed to bypass these restrictions.
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What is the best Formula 1 streaming service?
There are several streaming services best for watching Formula 1. Hulu + Live TV, Sling, and F1 TV are all great options for watching the race.
If you’re trying to watch a race for free, try a Fubo or DirecTV free trial. Normally you can use a free trial only once, though, so if you’ve already used one, you may not be able to use it again.
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Is it possible to watch F1 TV Pro with a free VPN?
It may be possible to watch F1 with a free VPN, but we don’t recommend using one. Free VPNs have a tendency to either not be strong enough to bypass restrictions or they can leak WebRTC and other sensitive information.
You may also run into data cap issues with free VPNs, which means it could cut you off mid-race. Proton VPN doesn’t have any data caps and tends to be pretty safe. This may be the only free VPN option that would be safe enough to watch F1.
Be careful, however, if you’re trying to use a free VPN in a country where it isn’t legal to use VPNs. VPNs are legal in most countries, but you should always check the laws to avoid any kind of potential trouble with local law enforcement.
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 | |
|
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Starts at $3.99/mo | Best for unique features | Get NordVPN |
|
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Starts at $2.29/mo | Best for additional security | Get Surfshark |
|
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Starts at $6.67/mo (billed annually) | Best for streaming variety | Get ExpressVPN |
NordVPN
-
Ultra-secure, high-speed VPN complete with malware protection and automatic blocking of intrusive ads and third-party trackers
-
Other benefits include a premium password manager, dark web monitoring, and access to IP-restricted content
-
3 plans to choose from for custom protection on up to 10 devices
- Too many confusing plans
Author Details
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Mary is a seasoned cybersecurity writer with over seven years of experience. With a B.S. in Liberal Arts from Clarion University and an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from Point Park University, she educates audiences on scams, antivirus software, and more. Her passion lies in educating audiences on helpful ways to protect their data.
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