How to Watch F1 Live in the USA
The 2025 Formula 1 season is upon us, and the excitement is palpable. With a record-breaking 24-race calendar, fans are eager to see how the dramatic team changes will unfold on the track. Can seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton’s sensational move to Ferrari end the team’s 16-year title drought? We’ll show you how to watch F1 in the US without cable, and how you can fix common streaming errors with PIA VPN so you never miss a minute of a race weekend.
How to Watch F1 Live in the US with a VPN
- Get PIA VPN and install it on your streaming device
- Connect to a VPN server in the US to watch F1 on ESPN
- Cheer on your favorite driver!
Table of Contents
How to Watch Formula 1 in the USHow to Watch F1 for Free in the US
How to Stream F1 if You’re Visiting the US
Why PIA Is the Best VPN for Streaming F1
2025 F1 US TV Schedule
FAQ
How to Watch Formula 1 in the US
To watch Formula 1 in the US, you’ll need access to ESPN. Fortunately, you don’t need a cable subscription; several streaming platforms offer ESPN, many with free trials that let you catch at least a Grand Prix or two without cost.
For dedicated F1 fans, race day isn’t the only highlight. ESPN2 broadcasts live coverage of qualifying sessions, practice laps, and Sprint races, all accessible through the same streaming services that provide ESPN.
Note that Formula 1 is only available on ESPN TV channels, not on the ESPN+ streaming service.
| Service | Channels | Free trial length |
| DirecTV Stream | ESPN, ESPN 2, ABC | 5 days |
| Fubo | ESPN, ESPN 2, ABC | 7 days |
| Hulu + Live TV | ESPN, ESPN 2, ABC | 3 days |
| YouTube TV | ESPN, ESPN 2, ABC | Varies |
Don’t let network restrictions at school, work, or public places prevent you from streaming F1. With PIA VPN, you can bypass these local limitations and enjoy every lap of the action.
How to Watch F1 for Free in the US
Unlike platforms showing F1 for free in other countries, such as RTBF in Belgium and ServusTV and ORF in Austria, none of the platforms in the US are streaming F1 for free. The closest you can get is a free trial offered by a streaming platform that carries ESPN. These trials can allow you to watch a few races without splashing out on a subscription.
If you have a TV antenna, you can watch a few races for free on ABC. For the 2025 season, the United States Grand Prix on October 19 and the Mexican Grand Prix on October 26 are scheduled to air on ABC.
How to Stream F1 if You’re Visiting the US
Traveling to the US can disrupt your usual Formula 1 viewing routine, as your regular streaming platforms may not be available outside your home country. This is where PIA VPN becomes invaluable. By connecting to a PIA VPN server in your home country, you can access your usual streaming services and enjoy live coverage of practice sessions, qualifying, sprint races, and Grands Prix, just as if you were at home.
For tourists from countries with free streaming options, such as Belgium (RTBF Auvio) and Austria (ServusTV and ORF), it’s the best way to watch F1 for free in the US.
Why PIA Is the Best VPN for Streaming F1
PIA VPN helps you stream F1 races smoothly and securely from anywhere without location errors or buffering.
- Large server network: With servers in 91 countries, including every US state, you’ll always find one where you need one.
- 10-Gbps technology: Enjoy ultra-fast connections that deliver smooth streaming quality, even in the highest resolution.
- Dedicated streaming servers: PIA’s streaming-optimized servers in the US and other key locations are compatible with popular platforms that broadcast F1.
- Unlimited bandwidth: Stream every practice run, qualifying session, and Grand Prix without VPN slowdowns or cut-offs.
- Robust encryption: PIA’s top-tier VPN encryption keeps your sensitive personal data away from prying eyes and online crooks.
- 30-day money-back guarantee: Try PIA risk-free for a month and stream F1 races securely from anywhere in the world.
2025 F1 US TV Schedule
| Date & Time (EST) | Race | TV Channel | Sprint Race Weekend |
| Mar 16, 12 a.m. | Australian GP | ESPN | No |
| Mar 23, 3 a.m. | Chinese GP | ESPN | Yes |
| Apr 6, 1 a.m. | Japanese GP | ESPN | No |
| Apr 13, 11 a.m. | Bahrain GP | ESPN | No |
| Apr 20, 1 p.m. | Saudi Arabian GP | ESPN | Yes |
| May 4, 4 p.m. | Miami GP | ABC | Yes |
| May 18, 9 a.m. | Emilia-Romagna GP | ESPN | No |
| May 25, 9 a.m. | Monaco GP | ESPN | No |
| Jun 1, 9 a.m. | Spanish GP | ESPN | No |
| Jun 15, 2 p.m. | Canadian GP | ABC | No |
| Jun 29, 9 am | Austrian GP | ESPN | Yes |
| Jul 6, 10 a.m. | British GP | ESPN | No |
| Jul 27, 9 a.m. | Belgian GP | ESPN | Yes |
| Aug 3, 9 a.m. | Hungarian GP | ESPN | No |
| Aug 31, 9 a.m. | Dutch GP | ESPN | No |
| Sep 7, 9 a.m. | Italian GP | ESPN | No |
| Sep 21, 7 a.m. | Azerbaijan GP | ESPN | No |
| Oct 5, 8 a.m. | Singapore GP | ESPN | No |
| Oct 19, 3 p.m. | USA GP | ABC | Yes |
| Oct 26, 4 p.m. | Mexican GP | ABC | Yes |
| Nov 9, 12 p.m. | Brazilian GP | ESPN | Yes |
| Nov 22, 11 p.m. | Las Vegas GP | ESPN | No |
| Nov 30, 11 a.m. | Qatar GP | ESPN | Yes |
| Dec 7, 8 a.m. | Abu Dhabi GP | ESPN | No |
FAQ
Yes, but the platform doesn’t stream any live races – only replays of races, qualifying, and practice sessions from previous seasons.
F1 races are primarily broadcast on ESPN and ESPN2 in the US. Select Grand Prix events are also shown on ABC, especially high-profile races like the US Grand Prix and the Mexican Grand Prix.
No, F1 races aren’t available on ESPN+. Coverage airs on ESPN’s main TV channels (ESPN, ESPN2, and ABC), which require access through a cable subscription or a live TV streaming platform that carries these channels. Check out our handy guide to how to watch ESPN without cable.
You can stream F1 in the US through live TV streaming services that carry ESPN and ABC, such as Sling TV, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, and FuboTV. Many of these platforms offer free trials, allowing you to watch races without paying upfront.
Yes, ABC airs select Formula 1 races throughout the season, including the US Grand Prix, Mexican Grand Prix, and Miami Grand Prix. These races are broadcast free over the air, so you can watch them live with an antenna, without needing cable or a streaming service.
Yes, there are ways to stream F1 for free. Some countries broadcast F1 races live without a subscription, and many US streaming services offer free trials that include ESPN. Check out our guide on how to stream Formula 1 for free for more details.
Can I use a VPN to watch sports events that aren’t available in my country?
Some VPN users may use a server in another country, where certain sports events are available, to watch from their own country. While we cannot see what you are doing online due to our no-logs policy, this goes against our terms of service and is not acceptable.
PIA VPN puts your privacy first and we don’t track our users’ activity. That said, you should always comply with relevant laws, including copyright.