The 2024 F1 season is heating up faster than my grandma’s tea when she spots the kettle about to whistle – totally thrilling! With the Drivers’ and Constructors’ titles tighter than a man fitting into last year’s holiday jeans, it’s getting intense.
Max Verstappen’s not-so-secure points advantage has shrunk to 62 points (poor guy). Lando Norris is sneaking up on him like my Jack Russell eyeing my bacon. Meanwhile, Charles Leclerc (Ferrari’s star) astonished everyone in Monza, and Mercedes? They’re hoping to get back on track before the summer break slips from their memory.
In the Constructors’ race, there’s fewer than 40 points separating Red Bull in first place and Ferrari in third, with McLaren hot on their tail. By the time we reach Baku, we could have a new front-runner. So, get ready – it could be an exhilarating ride.
Here’s the scoop on how to watch the Azerbaijan Grand Prix live and catch every overtake, crash, or dicey team call.
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When’s the next F1 race?
The upcoming race is in Baku for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Mark it on your calendar:
- Sunday 15 September, 3pm local time – 12pm BST, 7am EDT, 4am PDT
When’s the next F1 qualifying?
You can’t have a race without qualifying – here’s when it begins:
- Saturday 14 September, 4pm local time – 1pm BST, 8am EDT, 5am PDT
When’s the next F1 sprint?
Sprint races are back to spice up your weekend. The next one’s in Austin on 19 October.
More sprint races are on the agenda in Sao Paulo (2nd November) and Qatar (30th November). Get your snacks ready.
How to watch every F1 race for free in the UK
- Sky continues to hold all the live races (as usual).
- Channel 4 offers some highlights, but only broadcasts the British GP live.
- If you’re okay with highlights coming later, Channel 4 is superb.
Here’s the bad news – like many things in life, viewing it live will cost you. F1 is rapidly morphing into a pastime for the affluent, given that Sky holds exclusive rights in the UK. However, if you can wait a bit, Channel 4 will air highlights a few hours post-race, and to be honest, they deliver a stellar recap. The highlights clock in at over two hours, covering about 70% of the action, so you’re not missing much.
You can catch Channel 4 through their streaming service, albeit the highlights may take some time to be available. If you’re quick on your feet, you might catch it live during the broadcast. Download the All 4 app on your phone or tablet, or simply use their website.
For the dedicated fans wanting it *live* without the costs, employ a VPN to stream from overseas on channels showing it for free (though the commentary might be in a foreign tongue, but who cares, it’s F1).
Remember, if you’re streaming live in the UK, you’ll need a TV Licence – £159 a year, in case you were curious.
How to watch F1 on Sky Sports
If you’re one of those practical individuals who don’t mind shelling out a monthly fee, Sky is your official choice for live coverage in the UK.
Sky broadcasts the races in snazzy 4K HDR now. If you have a Sky Glass TV or a Sky Q box connected to a 4K TV that supports HLG HDR (don’t ask me why they went with that), you’ll see F1 in all its vibrant detail. You’ll need the Ultra HD add-on for your Sky subscription.
As of March 2023, they’ve rebranded the channel ‘Sky Sports F1 UHD’ – because we all needed an additional acronym in our lives.
To enjoy F1 (and a boatload of other sports you might not care about), it’ll set you back £22 extra on top of your Sky Entertainment and Netflix plan, which together is about £46 monthly (with an 18-month commitment, of course). If you just want F1… tough luck. You’ve got to take it all.
If you’re not keen on tying yourself down with Sky, there’s always Now (which used to be Now TV). It’s accessible on phones, tablets, consoles, and pretty much everything except your microwave. Normally at £34.99 monthly, but they occasionally run promotions – as of now, it’s reduced to £26 for six months.
The Now Sports subscription comes with some extra treats too, like onboard cameras, team radio, live track maps, and a “Battle Channel” (whatever that entails). Awesome.
How to watch F1 on ESPN in the US
For American motorsport enthusiasts, ESPN is the venue. Whether you’re on cable or not, the simplest route is through ESPN+.
It’s priced at $10.99 per month or $109.99 for the yearly plan, which is decent considering you can indulge in all the soccer, hockey, golf, and basketball you can handle.
Sign up on their website, and you’ll be golden.
How to watch F1 on F1 TV Pro
If you’re unaware, F1 TV Pro is the official streaming platform for F1. But guess what? It’s inaccessible in the UK – thanks, Sky.
It’s available in regions like the US, Netherlands, and Canada. In the States, it costs $84.99 for the year or $10.99 monthly – and you gain access to cool features like onboard cameras, real-time timing, and helmet cameras. While Sky might have some of these, only F1 TV Pro allows you to select exactly what you want to view.
Now, officially they claim that attempting to use a VPN to access it from the UK will cancel your subscription – without a refund. But if you’re feeling a bit adventurous, you can still use something like Surfshark, switch to a US-based server, and you might get lucky.
How to watch F1 online with a VPN
Want to stream F1 from any location while dodging geographic barriers? Welcome to the fantastic world of VPNs. They deceive websites into believing you’re in a different location – clever stuff, right?
We’ll use NordVPN as an example here, but any reliable VPN will do just fine.
Step 1: Download the VPN app
Head to your VPN provider’s site (like NordVPN), download the application, and install it on your chosen device. Can’t mess this part up, mate.
Step 2: Connect to a US or UK server
After installation, launch the app and pick a server in the nation where you wish to watch the F1 race. Want to view Sky Sports? Select a UK server. Easy.
Step 3: Start watching
Now that you’re connected, head to your usual app or website and dive in to watch the race with zero restrictions!
Is there a way to watch F1 live for free?
Officially? No. But, if you know where to search, there’s a glimmer of hope.
In 2024, free-to-air channels like **ServusTV** and **ORF** in Austria, or **RTBF** in Belgium, will still showcase F1. You’ll need a VPN to connect to Austria or Belgium, then navigate to their websites and begin streaming – piece of cake. The commentary might be in a language you’re not familiar with, but that’s no problem. You can tune into BBC Radio 5 Live for English commentary alongside.
Additionally, according to a tip from one of my readers, F1 is also broadcast for free on **MBC Action** and **MBC Persia** if you can set up the correct satellite system.
Complete F1 Calendar 2024
| Round | Race date | GP | Circuit |
| 1 | 2 March | Bahrain | Bahrain International Circuit |
| 2 | 9 March | Saudi Arabia | Jeddah Corniche Circuit |
| 3 | 24 March | Australia | Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit |
| 4 | 7 April | Japan | Suzuka Circuit |
| 5 | 21 April | China | Shanghai International Circuit |
| 6 | 5 May | Miami | Miami International Autodrome |
| 7 | 19 May | Emilia Romagna | Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari |
| 8 | 26 May | Monaco | Circuit de Monaco |
| 9 | 9 June | Canada | Circuit Gilles Villeneuve |
| 10 | 23 June | Spain | Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya |
| 11 | 30 June | Austria | Red Bull Ring |
| 12 | 7 July | Great Britain | Silverstone Circuit |
| 13 | 21 July | Hungary | Hungaroring |
| 14 | 28 July | Belgium | Spa-Francorchamps |
| 15 | 25 August | Netherlands | Circuit Zandvoort |
| 16 | 1 September | Italy | Autodromo Nazionale Monza |
| 17 | 15 September | Azerbaijan | Baku City Circuit |
| 18 | 22 September | Singapore | Marina Bay Street Circuit |
| 19 | 20 October | United States | Circuit of the Americas |
| 20 | 27 October | Mexico | Autódromo Hermanos Rodriguez |
| 21 | 3 November | Brazil | Autódromo José Carlos Pace |
| 22 | 24 November | Las Vegas | Las Vegas Street Circuit |
| 23 | 1 December | Qatar | Losail Circuit |
| 24 | 8 December | Abu Dhabi | Yas Marina Circuit |
Sprint races in 2024
Sprint races are back for six events in 2024. Here’s the lineup:
- Round 5 – China
- Round 6 – Miami
- Round 11 – Austria
- Round 19 – United States
- Round 21 – Brazil
- Round 23 – Qatar
The format has slightly shifted – Sprint Shootout will now take place on Fridays (following just one practice session), and the sprint itself will be on Saturdays. The main event remains on Sunday, naturally.
The Sprint Shootout is a faster iteration of standard qualifying – with added excitement. Q1, Q2, and Q3 are still part of the process, but medium tyres are mandatory for the first two sessions, and Q3 will necessitate the use of soft tyres. The sprint race itself is a quick 100km sprint, where the top 8 drivers earn points.
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Summary: F1 Drama, VPNs, and Costly Subscriptions – A Rollercoaster Adventure!
Well, that’s how it goes, folks. Whether you’re dishing out money for Sky, hunting for highlights on Channel 4, or navigating the digital maze with a VPN, there’s no excuse for missing the F1 thrill this season. From Verstappen being pursued to sprints that’ll get your heart racing, 2024 is set to be a blast. So grab your VPN, stock up on snacks – and maybe try to avoid those hefty subscription costs if possible!
