How to Watch Formula 1 in the US

Formula 1 has exploded in popularity in the United States, and the broadcasting rights are remarkably fan-friendly. Almost every session is available live via ESPN and its sister networks.

ESPN: The Home of F1 in the US

In the United States, the official television rights for the FIA Formula One World Championship belong to ESPN. ESPN broadcasts every session of every race weekend commercial-free, using the feed and commentary team from Sky Sports F1 in the UK. This means fans in the US get world-class commentary and analysis without interruption during the live race action.

Broadcasting is typically split across the ESPN family of channels based on scheduling and importance:

• Practice Sessions (FP1, FP2, FP3): Typically televised live on ESPN2, ESPNU, or via the ESPN app.
• Qualifying & Sprint Shootouts: Almost always shown live on ESPN2 or the main ESPN channel.
• Grand Prix Sunday: Broadcast live on the main ESPN channel. However, high-profile races—especially North American events like the Miami Grand Prix, United States Grand Prix in Austin, and Las Vegas Grand Prix—often air on free over-the-air television via **ABC**.

Understanding Sprint Race Weekends

Select race weekends throughout the season feature the "Sprint" format, which alters the standard broadcast schedule. On a Sprint weekend, Friday features a single Practice session followed by Qualifying for the Sunday Grand Prix. Saturday is a standalone day containing the "Sprint Shootout" (which determines the grid for the Sprint) and the Sprint Race itself, both airing on ESPN2. Sunday remains reserved for the main Grand Prix race.

F1 TV Pro: The Ultimate Streaming Option

For hardcore motorsport enthusiasts, the official streaming service **F1 TV Pro** is the gold standard. While ESPN provides a great television feed, F1 TV Pro is a direct-to-consumer platform that offers complete, interactive control over your viewing experience.

An active F1 TV Pro subscription ($10.99/month or $84.99/year in the US) includes:

• Live and on-demand streaming of every session (Practice, Qualifying, Sprints, and Races).
• Access to all 20 driver on-board cameras, allowing you to watch the entire race from your favorite driver's perspective.
• Live Team Radio feeds, letting you hear team strategies and driver feedback in real-time.
• The Pit Lane Channel, featuring multi-screen layouts, live timing data, and expert analysis.
• Live coverage of support series, including Formula 2, Formula 3, and the Porsche Supercup.

F1 TV Pro vs. F1 TV Access: Be careful when signing up. F1 TV Pro offers live streaming, whereas the cheaper **F1 TV Access** tier only offers live timing data and delayed race replays (replays are typically available a few days after the event in the US). F1 TV Pro is fully compatible with Roku, Apple TV, Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV, and mobile devices.