How to watch the 2021 Formula 1 live stream online

Strap yourselves in and start your engines, because the Formula 1 Emilia Romagna GP race starts on Friday, April 16th, 2021.

The Imola F1 Grand Prix will be held on Fri, 16 Apr 2021 – Sun, 18 Apr 2021, at Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, Imola, Italy.

• Practice race starts on: Friday, 16 April at 5:30am ET / 10:30am BST / 11:30am CEST.
• Qualifying race starting on: Saturday, 17 April at 9am ET / 2pm BST / 3pm CEST.
• The Emilia Romagna Grand Prix 2021 official race takes place on: Sunday, 18 April at 9am ET / 2pm BST / 3pm CEST.

So, how can you watch the Formula 1 online? In this guide, we’ll show you how to access live coverage from wherever you are in the world.

Easy guide to watching F1 online with VPN

Here, we’ll show you how to watch Formula One 2021 from anywhere in the world in just four easy steps:

1. Get a VPN. We recommend NordVPN, as it has extensive servers that can bypass any local restrictions.
2. Connect to a server in a country that has the broadcasting rights to F1. We recommend accessing UK coverage, as it is the most extensive.
3. Connect to a streaming service that you are subscribed to (ESPN and F1TV are the most extensive ones).
4. Pick the Formula 1 live stream, strap yourself in, and enjoy the action!

Why do you need a VPN to Stream F1?

If you live in country that do not have rights to broadcast Formula 1 races, you will need a VPN to access it.

You can use a VPN to bypass geo-location blocks. So, for example, you can use a VPN to connect to a US server. You will then be issued with a new IP address from that server, which will trick apps and sites into believing you are actually in the US. This means you can access F1 races on ESPN.

This not only helps you access content from other countries, but it also protects your real IP address while you are online, thereby keeping you safe from data theft and viruses.

If you are using an unofficial stream to watch the races for free, it’s very important to use a reputable VPN for security reasons as well as to unblock geo-restrictions. After all, a VPN will protect your device from viruses and cyberattacks. And because a VPN encrypts your data, it will prevent anyone being able to access your personal information, such as credit card details and passwords.

So, if you go to rewatch the race on a free website, it will hide your personal and private browsing behavior and history. This means you won’t get caught streaming F1 from a site that doesn’t officially own the rights.

Streaming services showing Formula 1 online

You can watch F1 on ESPN, ESPN 2, ABC and Sky Sports, as well as on the following streaming services:

However, if none of the services mentioned above are available in your country, you’ll need to download a VPN first. Here’s a quick list of the most popular platforms for Formula 1 and the VPNs that will unblock them:

• ESPN. Reserved solely for the American audience, this sports channel can be easily accessed with NordVPN.
• Hulu + Live TV. This is a tough streaming platform to unblock, and it’s available only in the US. Luckily, ExpressVPN is able to do the job right.
• Youtube TV. Virtually any VPN will help you access Youtube TV. You can simply go with Surfshark, an inexpensive VPN that will also help you unblock lots of other streaming services (like DAZN).

All of the streaming options come with a one-week free trial. But of course, there are 23 races in a season. So, if you want to watch a whole season, you will need to pay for one of these subscriptions.

Of course, there are websites that illegally stream F1 races for free. But they usually request personal information in return, so opting for one of these websites is not a safe option.

How to stream F1 on your device

You can catch all the Formula One action on any smart device (like Firestick or Roku), so long as you can link it up to your VPN.

So, you can watch it on your laptop or smartphone if you’re away from home. Or you can use your smart TV, streaming stick or games console to put it on the TV and watch it with your family.

All you need to do is download a VPN app, create an account and connect to whatever server you want. You can watch Formula 1 with a VPN on both Android and iOS devices, with a streaming stick (such as Roku, Amazon Fire, or Chromecast), various gaming consoles (like Playstation and Xbox), and a myriad of smart TVs (i.e., Apple TV and Android TV).

If you want to set up a VPN on your router, ExpressVPN should do the trick, as it offers a proprietary router application. As for the other devices, getting NordVPN or Surfshark will be more than enough – they work with a whole lot of devices thanks to the SmartDNS option.

Here are a few tips to consider when selecting a VPN:

• You get what you pay for: Paid VPNs are a lot more secure, as a lot of free (no credit card) VPNs don’t encrypt your connection, and might even sell your online data to third parties.
• Make sure the VPN companies don’t keep logs: Check the provider’s terms of service to ensure it won’t keep logs of your data.
• Yearly savings: If you sign up for a VPN on an annual package, you can usually save quite a bit of money. If you opt for a yearly deal instead of a monthly one, you can usually save 10-25%.
• Country coverage. Good VPN services offer thousands of servers in tens of different countries. Remember: the more servers a VPN has, the less crowded they will be, allowing for better speeds.

How to stream Formula 1 in your country

Not every country has the right to broadcast F1, including the current Imola grand prix race. So, depending on where you are in the world, you might well need to use a VPN to watch the races. Here’s how to watch where you are:

How to watch Formula 1 online in Canada

If you’re in Canada, you can watch the races on Formula One TV Pro for CA$9.99 a month or CA$79.99 for the year.

Alternatively, you can access the Sky Sports F1 broadcast on TSN, or watch it in French on RDS. You can sign up to either of these services for CA$19.99 a month. Or, if you just want to pay to watch specific races, you can pay CA$4.99 per day.

How to watch F1 online in the USA 2021

You can watch F1 in the US on ESPN. You can access it as part of your cable TV package, or you can sign up to a subscription for $30 per month.

How to watch Formula 1 Imola Grand Prix in the UK

Sky Sports has the rights to broadcast F1 racing in the UK. So, if you want to watch all the action, your best bet would be to purchase a NOW TV Sky Sports F1 Season Ticket for £198. Or, you can pay £9 per race.

However, if you want to watch more sports, you might be better off with a Sky Sports Month Pass for £33.99. This gets you access to all 11 Sky Sports channels.

How to watch Emilia Romagna Grand Prix online in Australia

Fox Sports shows all the Sky Sports F1 coverage. It is available to Foxtel subscribers, with the prices starting at $69 per month.

Alternatively, you could opt for Kayo Sports, which is an online streaming service that costs $25 per month. This will give you access to the Fox Sports coverage for a fraction of the price.

How to watch F1 in Germany

If you want to watch the Imola Grand Prix from Germany, then you should consider Sky Deutschland and RTL. However, the former option can be quite expensive – it costs €40 a month to watch the F1 live streams in HD with no commercials. 

For this reason, it might be better to just download a VPN, pick a US server, and watch Formula 1 on SlingTV.

How to watch Imola Grand Prix from India

Star Sports is one of the leading sports channels in India. It broadcasts a variety of sports events including the current Formula 1 race. Another good option for Indian sports fans is Hotstar.com. However, if you’re currently residing outside India, you’ll need a VPN in order to access it.

Formula 1 Grand Prix 2021 overview

Each Grand Prix is made up of a series of practice and qualifying sessions, followed by a main race, which usually takes place on a Sunday afternoon local time. The drivers are given points depending on their finishing positions. The driver with the most points over the season wins the Championship. Meanwhile, the car makers, like Mercedes and Ferrari, compete for the Constructors Championship Award.

There are many things to get excited about this season. Lewis Hamilton is tipped to make history in 2021, by winning his eighth title. This will see him surpass Michael Schumacher to make him the most successful F1 driver of all time.

But, one of the drivers Hamilton will need to beat is Michael Schumacher’s son, Mick Schumacher. After winning Formula 2 last year, Mick will make his Formula 1 debut and will no doubt be keen to protect his father’s record. Regardless, Formula One fans will be excited to see a Schumacher on the grid. This year also sees the return of one of Michael Schumacher’s rivals, Fernando Alonso, who is taking the grid for the first time since 2018.

And here are the top ten winners of the 2021 Bahrain Grand Prix round:

1. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
2. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
3. Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes)
4. Lando Norris (McLaren)
5. Sergio Pérez (Red Bull)
6. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
7. Daniel Ricciardo (McLaren)
8. Carlos Sainz Jr. (Ferrari)
9. Yuki Tsunoda (AlphaTauri)
10.  Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)

You can find the full lineup for 2021 right here. Also, for all the latest news, be sure to keep an eye on the official F1 Twitter page.

2021 Formula 1 race schedule

As with most events, this year’s F1 is subject to change, due to the varying restrictions and Covid-19 cases in the participating countries.

However, at the time of writing, the F1 2021 schedule looks like this:

• March 26-28 — Bahrain Grand Prix
• April 16-18 — Imola Grand Prix
• May 7-9 — Spanish Grand Prix
• May 21-23 — Monaco Grand Prix
• June 4-6 — Azerbaijan Grand Prix
• June 11-13 — Canadian Grand Prix
• June 15-27 — French Grand Prix
• July 2-4 — Austrian Grand Prix
• July 16-18 — British Grand Prix
• July 30-Aug. 1 — Hungarian Grand Prix
• Aug. 27-29 — Belgian Grand Prix
• Sept. 3-5 — Dutch Grand Prix
• Sept. 10-12 — Italian Grand Prix
• Sept. 24-26 — Russian Grand Prix
• Oct. 1-3 — Singapore Grand Prix
• Oct. 8-10 — Japanese Grand Prix
• Oct. 22-24 — United States Grand Prix
• Oct. 29-31 — Mexican Grand Prix
• Nov. 5-7 — Brazilian Grand Prix
• Nov. 19-21 — Australian Grand Prix
• Dec. 3-5 — Saudi Arabia Grand Prix
• Dec. 10-12 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

2020 Formula 1 winners

Lewis Hamilton took home his 7^th Formula One Championship in 2020, after winning 11 of the 17 races. However, due to Covid-19, the season was condensed, and the start was delayed until July.

Here are the list of winners from each Grand Prix last season:

• July 3-5: Austrian Grand Prix won by Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes)
• July 10-12: Styrian Grand Prix won by Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
• July 17-19: Hungarian Grand Prix won by Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
• July 31-Aug 2: British Grand Prix won by Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
• Aug 7-9: Formula One 70th Anniversary Grand Prix won by Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing-Honda)
• Aug 14-16: Spanish Grand Prix won by Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
• Aug 28-30: Belgian Grand Prix won by Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
• Sept 4-6: Italian Grand Prix won by Pierre Gasly (AlphaTauri-Honda)
• Sept 11-13: Tuscan Grand Prix won by Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
• Sept 25-27: Russian Grand Prix won by Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes)
• Oct 9-11: Eifel Grand Prix won by Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
• Oct 23-25: Portuguese Grand Prix won by Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
• Oct 30-Nov 1: Emilia Romagna Grand Prix won by Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
• Nov 13-15: Turkish Grand Prix won by Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
• Nov 27-29: Bahrain Grand Prix won by Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
• Dec 4-6: Sakhir Grand Prix won by Sergio Perez (Racing Point-BWT Mercedes)
• Dec 11-13: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix won by Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing-Honda)

This year’s predictions

Lewis Hamilton is favorite to win. This would be Hamilton’s 8^th Championship, meaning that he would overtake Michael Schumacher to hold the record of winning the most championships ever.

Max Verstappen and Hamilton’s teammate, Valtteri Bottas, are also expected to do well, while Mercedes is favorite to take home the Constructors Championship Award.

One thing is for sure though, this year’s F1 will be impacted by Covid-19. China’s Grand Prix has already been postponed, the Australian Grand Prix has been moved from March to November and other races could be postponed.

What do you think will happen at the 2021 F1 Grand Prix? Let us know in the comments below.

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