If you’re trying to watch F1 in the UK, you’ll need a Sky subscription. But there’s another way to watch every race in the UK.
All you need is a reliable VPN and a subscription to F1 TV Pro.
The tricky part is F1 TV Pro isn’t available in the UK. But don’t panic, there’s an easy way to watch F1 TV Pro anywhere in the world.
This article will explain how to watch F1 in the UK without Sky by gaining access to F1 TV Pro.
How to watch F1 without Sky: Quick Guide
To watch F1 in the UK without Sky, follow these simple steps:
Total Time: 2 minutes
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Create a new account with ExpressVPN ($6.67/month)
To watch F1 in the UK without Sky the first thing you need to do is create an account with ExpressVPN. If you click here you can save 49% on a 12-month plan and get your first three months free.
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Download and install the new VPN app
Once you’ve signed up for ExpressVPN you can install it on nearly any device. ExpressVPN is available on Mac, Linux, Chromebook, Android, iOS, Amazon Fire, Kindle, Amazon Fire Stick/TV, Chromecast, Nintendo Switch, Android TV and more.
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Open your new app and connect to a US server
To watch F1 in the UK without Sky, all you need to do is gain access to F1 TV Pro. However, F1 TV Pro isn’t available in the UK. To gain access to it, you need to change your IP address to a US-based IP address. To do that you need a reliable VPN. We recommend ExpressVPN as it will quickly give you a US IP address and works reliably with F1 TV Pro.
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Go to F1 TV Pro and click subscribe and create an account (see below)
Ensure you’re still connected to a US server on ExpressVPN and visit the F1 TV Pro website. You’ll now have access to the platform and you’ll be able to make an account.
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Watch live F1 races in the UK without Sky
Once you’ve made an account you’ll be able to watch F1 TV Pro and subsequently be able to watch live F1 races without Sky, on any device. Just always ensure you’re connected to a US server on ExpressVPN.
How to make a US F1 TV Pro account in the UK?
To gain access to F1 TV Pro in the UK, you need to make a US account. To do that you need a few things. You need to create an account with ExpressVPN ($6.67/month), you need an active email address, and you need details for an address in the US.
Follow these steps to make a US F1 TV Pro account in the UK:
- Download and create an account with ExpressVPN ($6.67/month)
- Connect to a US server
- Visit F1 TV Pro and select subscribe
- Create a new account
- Input your email and password (make sure it’s an active email because you’ll need to verify your account
- Input your payment details
- Input details for an address in the US. If you don’t live in the US, don’t panic, you can use the details for any US address, and it will work. To get US address details, visit this website.
- Watch F1 TV Pro in the UK without Sky
Why do I need a VPN to watch F1 TV Pro in the UK?
You need a VPN to watch F1 TV Pro in the UK because the Pro version of the F1 streaming service isn’t available in the UK.
If you’re in the UK and you visit the F1 TV website, you’ll be provided with the “F1 TV Access” tier.
F1 TV Access doesn’t allow you to watch live races or coverage of F1 events. It only provides on-demand highlights and replays. To watch live events, you need F1 TV Pro.
To get around this and gain access to the “Pro” version of the streaming service, you need to trick the platform into thinking you’re accessing it from within the US. The easiest way to do that is with a VPN.
Which VPNs work with F1 TV Pro?
| ExpressVPN | NordVPN | PIA | Ivacy | CyberGhost | |
| F1 TV Pro | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Download Speed | 79 Mbps | 71 Mbps | 27 Mbps | 31 Mbps | 41 Mbps |
| Throttling | 79% | 71% | 27% | 31% | 41% |
| Stream quality | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️⭐️ |
| Price per month | $6.66 | $3.79 | $2.03 | $1.00 | $2.19 |
We regularly check which VPNs are working with F1 TV Pro. Our last test was on 16th October 2023.
The best VPNs for F1 TV Pro: Quicklist
ExpressVPN ($6.66/month) is the gold standard of VPNs. With servers in 94 countries and top-tier encryption protocols, it provides users the fastest and most reliable way to unblock streaming services from anywhere in the world.
NordVPN ($3.19/month) has an expansive network of 5,800+ high-speed servers in 60 countries – making it a great option for anyone looking to unblock popular streaming services, at a more mid-range prince point. An excellent choice.
Private Internet Access ($2.03/month) is the “best of the rest” VPN. It stands out as a solid streaming VPN with a budget price tag. It’s not as reliable, or fast, as ExpressVPN or NordVPN. Making it a more suitable choice for a casual VPN user.
Ivacy ($1.00/month) the price is the selling point here. If you want a VPN that works with major streaming services “most of the time” and don’t mind a bit of buffering during peak periods, Ivacy is fine. But it’s a nowhere near as good as ExpressVPN and NordVPN.
CyberGhost ($2.19/month) is a decent VPN option that offers user-friendly apps and a range of servers worldwide. While it may not lead the pack in all features, it provides a satisfactory balance of privacy, speed, and ease of use.
How to watch F1 in the UK without Sky: FAQs
Q: What is F1 TV Pro?
Answer: F1 TV Pro is the official streaming service of Formula 1, offering live coverage of F1 races, along with full replays, highlights, onboard cameras, team radios, and more. In the UK, live F1 races are primarily broadcasted by Sky Sports, but by using a VPN to change your virtual location, you can access F1 TV Pro from the UK, even though it’s not typically available there.
Q: Why do I need a VPN to watch F1 TV Pro in the UK?
Answer: F1 TV Pro is geo-restricted and not available in the UK due to broadcasting rights held by Sky Sports. A VPN allows you to change your IP address to a country where F1 TV Pro is available, bypassing these geo-restrictions and enabling you to watch F1 live without a Sky subscription.
Q: How do I set up a VPN to watch F1 TV Pro?
Answer: To set up a VPN, choose a reliable VPN provider, download and install their app on your device, and connect to a server in a country where F1 TV Pro is available. Once connected, visit the F1 TV Pro website or app, sign up or log in, and you should have access to live F1 coverage.
Q: Is using a VPN to watch F1 TV Pro legal?
Answer: The legality of using a VPN to access geo-restricted content varies by country, and it may violate the terms of service of the streaming platform. It’s important to research and understand the laws and regulations in your country and to use a VPN responsibly.
Q: Will a free VPN work to watch F1 TV Pro?
Answer: While there are free VPNs available, they are generally not recommended for streaming due to slower speeds, limited server options, and potential security risks. Investing in a reputable, paid VPN service ensures a more reliable and secure connection, providing a better streaming experience.
The VPN services we recommend for F1 TV Pro (2023)
1. ExpressVPN 🥇 $6.66/month
The fastest and most reliable streaming VPN
- ✔Optimized for HD streaming speed
- ✔Wide network with 160 locations across 94 countries
- ✔Split tunneling feature to select apps using VPN
- ✔TrustedServer technology for enhanced security
- ❌Limited to 5 simultaneous device connections
ExpressVPN is a good VPN for F1 TV Pro because it is one of the fastest VPNs on the market. It has a large network of servers in over 94 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada. This means that you can easily connect to a server in a country where F1 TV Pro is available and watch the races without any buffering or lag.
ExpressVPN is also very secure. It uses AES-256 encryption, which is the same encryption that is used by the military. It also has a strict no-logs policy, which means that it does not keep any records of your activity.
Finally, ExpressVPN is very easy to use. It has a simple and intuitive interface that makes it easy to connect to a server and start watching F1 TV Pro.
Read our full ExpressVPN review.
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(30-day money-back guarantee)
2. NordVPN $3.19/month
An incredibly fast and trustworthy VPN
- ✔Extra encryption with Double VPN
- ✔Over 5,500 servers in 59 countries
- ✔SmartPlay technology to unblock 400+ geo-restricted streaming services
- ✔CyberSec feature for ad and malware blocking
- ❌The interface can be complex for new users
NordVPN is another good VPN for F1 TV Pro. It is not quite as fast as ExpressVPN, but it is still very fast. It also has a large network of servers in over 60 countries. NordVPN is also very secure. It uses AES-256 encryption and has a strict no-logs policy.
NordVPN is not quite as easy to use as ExpressVPN, but it is still relatively easy to use. It has a slightly more complex interface, but it is still very user-friendly.
Read our full NordVPN review.
Special Offer for you!
(30-day money-back guarantee)
3. Private Internet Access $2.03/month
An affordable, reliable VPN
- ✔Strong encryption for secure connections
- ✔Extensive server network enhancing connectivity
- ✔Built-in ad and malware blocking
- ✔Supports up to 10 devices simultaneously
- ❌Can have slower speeds
4. Ivacy $1.00/month
A trustworthy and affordable VPN
- ✔Cost-effective pricing
- ✔Servers optimized for P2P activities
- ✔Strict no browsing logs policy
- ✔Allows up to 10 simultaneous connections
- ❌Smaller server network compared to others
5. CyberGhost $2.19/month
A solid VPN package
- ✔Large server network with streaming-optimized servers
- ✔Strong encryption standards for security
- ✔Specialized servers for streaming, torrenting, and gaming
- ✔Generous 45-day money-back guarantee
- ❌Speed performance can be mixed
Why isn’t F1 TV Pro available in the UK?
F1 TV Pro isn’t available in the UK because Sky has the rights to live coverage of F1 events in the UK until 2024.
Basically, you need to have Sky to “officially” watch F1 live in the UK.
If F1 TV Pro were made available in the UK, it would breach the broadcasting agreements F1 has with Sky. Sky would then be eligible to take legal action against F1.
F1 tries to ensure UK-based viewers can’t access F1 TV Pro in the UK to stop this from happening. It does this by blocking UK based IP addresses.
How does F1 block my UK connection?
The way F1 blocks UK users from accessing F1 TV Pro is all to do with your IP address.
When you connect to the internet, you’re allocated a unique IP address. This is used to form a communication link between your device and the website or app you’re visiting. In this case, F1 TV.
The problem with these IP addresses is they contain information about where you’re located. For example, if you’re connecting to the internet in the UK, your IP address will show that you’re based in the UK.
F1 TV uses this information to figure out you’re based in the UK and stop you from accessing F1 TV Pro.
How can I get around F1’s geo-blocks?
The good news is, you don’t need Sky to watch F1 live in the UK. With a reliable VPN like ExpressVPN ($6.67/month) or NordVPN ($3.19/month), you can gain access to F1 TV Pro in the UK. It’s also cheaper than Sky.
To get around F1’s geo-based blocks, you need to fool the streaming service into thinking you’re in a country where F1 TV Pro is available. You need to temporarily change your UK IP address to one in a country that has F1 TV Pro.
A VPN like ExpressVPN or NordVPN makes this process incredibly easy. Download the app, connect to a US server, and you’ll be given a US IP address and will now be able to access F1 TV Pro in the UK.
Will any VPN work?
Because VPNs are well-known ways of watching F1 TV Pro in countries where it isn’t “officially” available. F1 tries to block VPNs from accessing its service.
It does this by monitoring for an abnormal amount of connections coming from the same IP address.
Free and lesser VPNs have a lot of customers, and they don’t have the capital to be able to provide every user with their own individual IP address. When this happens, users are forced to share IP addresses.
When hundreds or thousands of users connect to F1 via the same IP address (provided by these VPNs), F1 deems this as abnormal and blocks the connection. This could mean you waste money on a VPN that won’t work with F1 TV Pro.
To ensure you can watch F1 reliably in the UK on F1 TV Pro, you need a VPN with lots of IP addresses and measures to stay ahead of F1s blocks. The best VPNs for this are ExpressVPN ($6.67/month) or NordVPN ($3.19/month).
Is using a VPN with F1 TV Pro legal?
Using a VPN to watch F1 TV Pro is perfectly legal so long as you aren’t based in one of these countries: China, Russia, Iran, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, North Korea, Iraq, Belarus, Turkmenistan, Egypt, Eritrea, Seychelles, Suriname, Namibia, Slovenia, Nicaragua and Tajikistan.
The reason using a VPN to watch F1 TV Pro is illegal in these countries is because these locations heavily restrict or outright ban VPNs and simply using a VPN is against the law.
The good news is, if you’re not in one of these countries, using a VPN to watch F1 TV Pro is legal. However, it’s important to know that watching F1 TV Pro may go against the streaming platform’s terms of use.
When you sign up to F1 TV Pro you automatically agree to its terms of use. These are legally binding rules and conditions that outline what you are allowed and are not allowed to do on the service. In here it states “When you register and purchase Services from us, you will confirm and we will verify the country from which you purchase the Services as being the country in which you are habitually resident” and “If your Home Territory is not a Portability Territory, your right to access content outside your Home Territory will be subject to any rights restrictions we are subject to in the country from which you attempt to access the Services.”
Basically, what this is saying is using a VPN to access F1 TV Pro in a location where it isn’t available goes against its terms of use and the streaming service has the right to ban your account if you do this.
It sounds scary but it really isn’t. Given the wide-spread use of VPNs, plus the many legitimate and legal use cases for VPNs, it’s fair to suggest that banning customers for using a VPN would be a heavy-handed and financially costly policy for F1 TV Pro to enforce.
If you’re trying to watch F1 TV Pro with a VPN, you risk having your account banned, however, the best VPNs use military-grade encryption it is impossible for the streaming service to trace where you’re physically accessing its content from.
There’s one final thing to note on the subject: F1 TV Pro has never banned anyone for using a VPN to access its service.
