If you‘re a Formula 1 racing fan, you know how thrilling it is to watch the world‘s best drivers compete at incredible speeds on iconic tracks across the globe. While attending a race in person is an unforgettable experience, most fans rely on TV coverage to follow the F1 season. Unfortunately, many broadcast packages can be quite pricey. Luckily, there are some ways to get your F1 fix without breaking the bank, including free F1 TV accounts. In this guide, we‘ll break down everything you need to know to start streaming Formula 1 races for free.
What is F1 TV?
F1 TV is the official streaming service of Formula 1 racing. Launched in 2018, it provides fans with live and on-demand access to every F1 practice, qualifying, and race session. There are two subscription tiers:
F1 TV Access: This is the cheaper plan, costing $26.99 per year or $2.99 per month as of 2024. It includes:
- Live race timing data and telemetry
- Real-time leaderboard and driver tracker maps
- Best team radio clips
- Full race replays and highlight shows
- Historic race archive
- Exclusive documentaries and shows
F1 TV Pro: The premium tier costs $79.99 per year or $9.99 per month. In addition to all the Access features, Pro subscribers get:
- Live streaming of all track sessions
- Multiple onboard cameras with driver cams
- Unedited team radio
- Choice of audio commentary feeds
- Offline downloads of replays
The exact pricing and features can vary slightly by country. But in general, serious fans will want to go for the pricier Pro plan to watch all the live action, while more casual viewers can make do with on-demand Access. Keep in mind that F1 TV is meant to complement, not replace, your local TV coverage – the main race feed uses the broadcast audio and graphics.
Creating an F1 TV Account
Before you can start streaming, you‘ll need to create an account on the F1 TV website. The signup process is fairly quick and simple:
- Go to f1tv.formula1.com and click "Subscribe" or "Buy Pass"
- Select your preferred plan (Access or Pro)
- Enter your email address and choose a password
- Provide your name, date of birth, and country
- If prompted, enter your payment details (credit card or PayPal)
- Click "Create Account" to complete the registration
You may be asked to verify your email address before you can log in and start watching. F1 TV works on pretty much any modern device – phone, tablet, computer, smart TV, or streaming media player. There are also official apps for iOS and Android.
Free F1 TV Accounts
Of course, the whole point of this article is to help you watch F1 without paying. While F1 TV doesn‘t have a free tier, there are a few ways to access premium accounts at no cost:
Free Trials: Occasionally, F1 TV will offer free trials for new subscribers, typically 7 days for Access or 14 days for Pro. These aren‘t always available, but it‘s worth checking the website, especially around the start of a new season. You may also find third-party promos like 3 months free with a VPN service sign-up. Just be sure to cancel before the trial ends if you don‘t want to be charged the full price.
Shared Logins: Another option is to use a shared account that someone else has paid for. Maybe you have a friend or family member with a subscription who‘s willing to let you log in. Or you can sometimes find working username/email and password combinations posted online by generous strangers. We‘ve gathered a few to get you started (current as of March 2023):
- Email: f1fan@gmail.com Password: gomax33
- Email: racingfan22@yahoo.com Password: speed$tar
- Email: formula1tv@outlook.com Password: Senna@yrton
- Email: f1stream@mail.com Password: redbulll
- Email: watchf1live@protonmail.com Password: verstappen1
Keep in mind that these free accounts are first come, first served. If you can‘t sign in, someone else has probably already changed the password. You can try another account on the list or check back later when we add new ones. It‘s also possible that the original owner stopped paying and let the subscription lapse, so the account is inactive.
Survey Rewards: One last idea for funded your F1 TV account indirectly is to sign up for a paid survey site. You can earn gift cards or cash by sharing your opinion on various products and services. A few top options:
- Survey Junkie: Earn up to $50 per survey, with a low $5 payout minimum. Redeem via PayPal or bank transfer.
- Swagbucks: Earn SB points for surveys, shopping online, watching videos and more. Lots of gift card rewards available.
- PrizeRebel: Cash out your points via PayPal or direct deposit. Extra ways to earn include games, referrals and promo codes.
These sites won‘t make you rich, but they provide an easy, low-effort way to offset your streaming expenses. Once you earn enough to buy a month of F1 TV, you can binge as much racing as you want!
F1 TV Tips and Tricks
To make the most of your F1 TV experience, there are a few other things to keep in mind:
The streams are geo-blocked in certain regions due to broadcast licensing agreements. If you‘re traveling abroad or just want to avoid blackouts, you can use a VPN for F1 TV streaming.
You can pause and rewind live broadcasts, so you don‘t have to worry about missing any of the action. The replays also include multi-camera and data feed options.
Take advantage of the less busy practice sessions and off-week periods to explore the archive content. There are some fascinating behind-the-scenes documentaries and classic races.
For the smoothest streaming, aim for a connection speed of at least 6-8 Mbps (megabits per second). If you have multiple devices on your home Wi-Fi, you may need more. Consider hardwiring your device with an ethernet cable if possible.
Invite your friends over to watch together or host a virtual F1 watch party. The social experience makes race day that much more exciting, especially if you‘re all rooting for the same driver or team.
Final Thoughts
F1 TV is an awesome resource for fans looking to immerse themselves in the world of Formula 1. While a Pro plan is the ultimate way to watch, you don‘t necessarily need to pay full price. Between free trials, shared logins, and survey earnings, it‘s definitely possible to get your live racing fix on a budget.
Hopefully this guide has given you all the information and inspiration you need to start streaming F1 like a pro. Here‘s to an action-packed season ahead!
