“Wait for Melbourne,” is what Max Verstappen said during the pre-season press conference in Bahrain, hinting that several teams, including Toto Wolff’s Mercedes, could continue to slow their true pace until the curtain rises on the Australian Grand Prix. Well, the wait is finally over. It’s race weekend!
The biggest change, however, occurs in the power units. The new regulations introduce a 50-50 split between the internal combustion engine and the electric motor, dramatically increasing the importance of energy deployment. Now, it is not as simple as opening the rear wing and overtaking the car in front, since drivers must be aware of the charge they use.
Another thing we saw in pre-season testing was the blockages everywhere and how different and difficult the race start procedure is this time. Mercedes, despite appearing to have one of the most refined packages overall, has had trouble getting off the line cleanly. Ferrari, on the other hand, has impressed during testing and good starts could become one of its biggest advantages heading into Melbourne, much to the delight of the tifosi.
Despite the large number of changes, the top four remain the same: McLaren, Red Bull, Mercedes and Ferrari. However, the Australian GP will likely provide the first real indication of how the pecking order could shape up, including how new entrants Cadillac and Audi, as well as rookie Arvid Lindblad, go about their business. And while initial feelings suggest George Russell could be primed for his first Drivers’ Championship, it all comes down to which team adapts to the new regulations the quickest.
Here’s our simple guide on how to watch F1 live online from anywhere, with possible free streams in your country.
How to watch the F1 2026 season for FREE
The 2026 Formula 1 season is not available for free in all countries. However, at these select destinations you can watch specific races/highlights or even the entire season for FREE.
- Australia – 10Play (Full live Australian GP, plus highlights from all the other races)
- Austria – servus tv and ORF on (free live stream, 12 race weekends each)
- Belgium – RTBF Auvio (free live stream of each race)
- Canada – CTV (Complete Canadian GP live, plus highlights from all the other races)
- Luxembourg – RTL Zwee (free live stream of each race)
- United Kingdom – channel 4 (Full British GP live, plus highlights from all the other races)
- US – Apple TV (free live stream of each practice session and selected races)
Are you traveling abroad during the 2026 season? You can use a VPN to watch all the action for free as if you were at home. NordVPN It is our best choice of all the options.
How to watch F1 2026 from anywhere
🌎 ABROAD? F1 is broadcast in many countries around the world, but if you are traveling outside your country you should consider using one of the best VPNs to unblock your domestic streaming service, as long as it doesn’t breach any terms and conditions.
A VPN will allow you to relocate your device to your home country. NordVPN is our favorite VPN and you can use it to watch the F1 season while you’re away from home.
Using a VPN is incredibly simple:
1. Install the VPN of your choice. As we have said, NordVPN It’s our favorite.
2. Choose the location you want to connect to in the VPN app. For example, if you are visiting the US and want to see your usual UK service, you will need to select a “UK” server from the list.
3. Sit back and enjoy the action. Head over to your usual local streaming service and watch F1 2026 live streams.
How to watch F1 2026 like a pro
In the USA, F1 TV Pro It is now available directly through the Apple TV app, but everywhere else it’s still available as a standalone subscription, and is arguably the best way for true enthusiasts to watch Formula 1.
With F1 TV Pro, viewers get live streams of every F1 session, plus access to on-board driver cameras and live team radio during races. It also includes detailed live telemetry and timing, along with coverage from feeder series such as Formula 2, Formula 3 and F1 Academy, making it one of the most comprehensive ways to follow the sport.
Do you want to know the cost of this where you are? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered below with the latest prices.
- F1 TV Pro in India – $3.99/month (cheapest)
- F1 TV Pro in South Africa – $4.99/month
- F1 TV Pro in Brazil – $5.99/month
- F1 TV Pro in Netherlands – €11.90/month
- F1 TV Pro in USA – $10.99/month
- F1 TV Pro in Mexico – 129 MXN/month
How to watch F1 2026 in the US
How to watch F1 2026 in the UK
How to watch F1 2026 in Australia
How to watch F1 2026 in Canada
Your guide to the 2026 Formula 1 season
Complete F1 2026 calendar dates
The 2026 FIA Formula One World Championship racing calendar includes 24 live televised races. We’ll keep you updated on them right here.
- March 6-8: Australia
- March 13-15: China
- March 27-29: Japan
- April 10-12: Bahrain
- April 17-19: Saudi Arabia
- May 1-3: Miami
- May 22-24: Canada
- June 5-7: Monaco
- June 12-14: Barcelona
- June 26-28: Austria
- July 3-5: Great Britain
- July 17-19: Belgium
- July 24-26: Hungary
- August 21-23: Netherlands
- September 4-6: Italy
- September 11-13: Madrid
- September 24-26: Azerbaijan
- October 9-11: Singapore
- October 23-25: USA
- October 30 to November 1: Mexico
- November 6-8: Brazil
- November 19-21: Las Vegas
- November 27-29: Qatar
- December 4-6: Abu Dhabi
F1 driver lineup (2026 season)
McLaren: Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri
mercedes: George Russell and Kimi Antonelli
red bull: Max Verstappen and Isaac Hadjar
Ferrari: Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton
Williams: Carlos Sainz and Alex Albón
Racing bulls: Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad
Aston Martin: Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll
Haas: Esteban Ocón and Oliver Bearman
Audi: Nico Hülkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto
Alpine: Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto
Cadillac: Sergio Pérez and Valtteri Bottas
When are the F1 2026 sprint races?
Six circuits will host F1 Sprint weekends in 2026: Shanghai (China), Miami (USA), Montreal (Canada), Silverstone (UK), Zandvoort (Netherlands) and Singapore.
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Access a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protect your online security and strengthen your online privacy when you are abroad. We do not support or tolerate illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Future Publishing does not endorse or approve the consumption of paid pirated content.
