F1 live stream 2023: how to watch Abu Dhabi Grand Prix free – online and on TV

 Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain driving the (44) Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 car.
Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain driving the (44) Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 car.

F1 live stream

All 23 F1 races are free to watch on either Servus TV or ORF in Austria (it's ORF for the Abu Dhabi GP). Use a VPN to watch your local stream when travelling abroad. Every 2023 F1 race is also available to watch free on RTL Zwee in Luxembourg and RTBF in Belgium. A complete breakdown of free F1 live streams is below.

F1 season preview

The final race of the 2023 Formula 1 championship is the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, and while little is at stake for the pre-crowned champion Max Verstappen, there are still places to be won.

The 2023 F1 season has been a little predictable, but if we look beyond Max Verstappen's absolute domination, there has been plenty of drama and quality racing – with plenty more to come.

Red Bull have an ace in the pack with Verstappen, but as the season has progressed, Sergio Perez has failed to keep up the pace. In the last couple of months, McLaren have staked their claim as best of the rest, with rookie Oscar Piastri pushing 23-year-old Lando Norris all the way.

Sir Lewis Hamilton is on the cusp of a second winless season in a row, and with last year being his first, he'll no doubt be pushing throughout the home straight of the season to ensure that's a minor blot on his illustrious copybook. George Russell will have something to say about that, though, with the youngster looking very much on par with the veteran in a number of races.

Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon form Alpine's first all-French lineup in more than 40 years (just in time for the French GP being dropped from the calendar), and despite a rocky history between the two, we haven't seen much friction. Nico Hulkenberg is back on the pace at Haas, and Daniel Ricciardo is back on track after replacing Nyck de Vries at Alpha Tauri.

After poor running in all practice sessions, Max secured pole in Abu Dhabi in typical fashion – but he only very narrowly outqualified Leclerc who joins him on the front row. After a big mistake in Q3, McLaren's Lando Norris squandered what could've been a front-row start, but Oscar Piastri laid down an excellent time to secure third.

The big surprises lay in both Hamilton and Sainz failing to make it into the last ten, so we should see some good racing as these drivers push hard to make it through the pack.

Expect a no holds barred race, as teams will be willing to sacrifice the longevity of their machines for the very best position in this culminating chapter of 2023.

With just one race to go, follow our guide as we explain how to get a 2023 F1 live stream from anywhere.

F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix schedule

FRIDAY

Practice 1: 9.30am GMT / 4.30am ET / 8.30pm AEDT / 11.30pm NZDT

Practice 2: 1pm GMT / 8am ET / 12am AEDT / 2am NZDT

SATURDAY

Practice 3: 10.30am GMT / 5.30am ET / 9.30pm AEDT / 11.30pm NZDT

Qualifying: 2pm GMT / 9am ET / 1am AEDT / 3am NZDT

SUNDAY

Abu Dhabi GP: 1pm GMT / 8am ET / 12am AEDT / 2am NZDT

Where to watch FREE F1 live streams in 2023

Formula 1 is such a popular sport that many TV companies have, unfortunately, put a premium on F1 coverage. But there are some countries where the F1 is still shown on free TV.

That may be the odd race – or, for some lucky Grand Prix fans, every single one:

  • Albania: every race on RTSH

  • Australia: Australian GP on 10Play

  • Austria: every race on ORF Eins or Servus TV

  • Belgium: every race on RBTF

  • Brazil: every race on Band TV

  • China: every race on Great Sports, CCTV or Guangdong Sports

  • France: Bahrain, Monaco, French, United States and Mexico City GPs on C8

  • Iran: every race on MBC Persia or IRIB Varzesh

  • UK and Ireland: British GP on Channel 4

  • Luxembourg: every race on RTL Zwee

  • Mexico: Mexico City GP on Canal 5

  • Middle East and North Africa: select races on MBC Action

  • Netherlands: Dutch GP on NOS

  • Pakistan: every race on A Sports

  • Singapore: Singapore GP on Channel 5

  • Spain: Spanish GP on Mediaset

  • Tajikistan: every race on Varzish TV

  • United States: Miami, USA, Canada, Mexico City, Monaco GPs on ABC

How to watch F1 live streams from outside your country

We've recommended some of the best places to live stream 2023 F1 races below. But you might run into a problem trying to access them if you're outside of your country. This is because of something called geo-blocking.

Simply follow our VPN advice below and you'll soon be around that issue with a great bit of software that allows you to relocate your device back to your country of residence - thereby regaining access to all the streaming services and content you normally enjoy at home.

Use a VPN to live stream F1 2023 from anywhere

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Watch on F1 TV (selected regions)

If you're an F1 devotee, then you likely already know about F1 TV - it's the streaming service to subscribe to for all the best live action, highlights, replays of classics races and a whole lot more besides.

Most people will want to go for F1 TV Pro, which is the way to live stream every F1 Grand Prix in full - along with F2, F3 and Porsche Supercup. Prices differ from country to country - it's $9.99 per month or $79.99 per year in the US, for example. And in India, it's just $29.99 per year after a FREE 7-day trial!

Just note that F1 TV doesn't provide live Grand Prix coverage everywhere, the UK and Australia being two notable examples.


UK flag
UK flag

How to watch an F1 live stream in the UK

Every race of the 2023 F1 season is being shown on Sky Sports in the UK.

If you want to sign up to Sky Sports, you can check out our guide to Sky TV deals and packages for today's best prices.

Don't fancy being locked in to a long, expensive contract? Consider the more flexible streaming option, Now, (formerly Now TV). Now sports passes start at £11.98.

Not in the UK but still want to catch the action? Use a VPN to live stream the F1 as if you were at home.

US flag
US flag

How to watch F1: live stream in the US without cable

In the US, live coverage of the 2023 F1 season is being shown on ESPN and ESPN 2. If you already have access to those channels as part of your cable package, then you're good to go.

The Miami, USA, Canada, Mexico City and Monaco GPs are also being shown on ABC.

How to watch 2023 F1 without cable

If you don't have them on cable, Sling TV is an OTT service that's perfect for F1 fans.

The Sling Orange package includes ESPN and ESPN 2, with a subscription usually costing $40 per month. However, if you're new to the service you can get 50% off your first month.

Alternatively, Fubo is an even more complete end-to-end cable replacement service, offering ESPN, ESPN 2, ABC and over 140 other channels on plans starting from $74.99 a month after a 7-day FREE trial.

Canada flag
Canada flag

How to watch F1: live stream in Canada

In Canada, you can watch 2023 F1 races on English-language TSN or French-language RDS - but they're premium channels that typically come with a pay TV package.

If you get them as part of your cable deal, you'll be able to log in with the details of your provider for access to an F1 live stream.

If you don't have cable, you can subscribe to TSN or RDS on a streaming-only basis for $19.99 a month or $199.90 per year.

If you decide to subscribe or already have, remember you can take your favorite sports streaming service with you wherever you go - just try our No. 1 overall rated VPN 100% risk-free for 30-days and follow the instructions above.

  • More Canadian sports action: our guide to NHL streaming this season

Australia flag
Australia flag

How to watch F1: live stream for FREE in Australia

Motorsport fans in Australia can also watch the 2023 F1 season unfold on Fox Sports, which is available through Foxtel. Subscribers can also stream the action via the Foxtel Go app.

However, every race will also be shown on the incredible sports streaming service Kayo Sports, which is an ideal option for those who don't want the commitment of a lengthy (and pricey) contract.

Kayo lets you stream on one device with its $25 per month One plan, two devices with its $30 per month Basic plan, and three devices with its $35 Premium plan. All of them come with a FREE 7-day trial.

Don't forget, you can take your F1 coverage abroad with you as well. A good VPN is what you need.

Kayo also gives you access to over 50 other sports including the NFL, NHL, cricket, NRL, NBA... the list goes on! Handy if you don't want to go all out on Fox.

Happy with highlights? They will be shown for FREE on Network 10 and its 10Play streaming service.


New Zealand flag
New Zealand flag

How to watch F1: live stream in New Zealand

Sky Sport is now the place to watch F1 in New Zealand, and fans can live stream every single race via the Sky Sport Now platform.

A Sky Sport Now subscription costs $19.99 per week or $39.99 per month. The monthly package comes with a 7-day FREE trial.

Meanwhile, Sky Sport subscribers can watch games online using the country's Sky Go service.

2023 F1 race calendar and dates

  1. Mar 5 - Bahrain GP - Winner: Max Verstappen

  2. Mar 19 - Saudi Arabian GP – Sergio Perez

  3. Apr 2 - Australian GP – Winner: Max Verstappen

  4. Apr 30 - Azerbaijan GP –Winner: Sergio Perez

  5. May 7 - Miami GP – Winner: Max Verstappen

  6. May 21 - Emilia Romagna GP – Called off

  7. May 28 - Monaco GP – Winner: Max Verstappen

  8. Jun 4 - Spanish GP – Winner: Max Verstappen

  9. Jun 18 - Canadian GP – Winner: Max Verstappen

  10. Jul 2 - Austrian GP – Winner: Max Verstappen

  11. Jul 9 - British GP – Winner: Max Verstappen

  12. Jul 23 - Hungarian GP – Winner: Max Verstappen

  13. Jul 30 - Belgian GP – Winner: Max Verstappen

  14. Aug 27 - Dutch GP – Winner: Max Verstappen

  15. Sep 3 - Italian GP – Winner: Max Verstappen

  16. Sep 17 - Singapore G – Winner: Carlos Sainz Jr.

  17. Sep 24 - Japanese GP – Winner: Max Verstappen

  18. Oct 8 - Qatar GP – Winner: Max Verstappen

  19. Oct 22 - United States GP – Winner: Max Verstappen

  20. Oct 29 - Mexico City GP – Winner: Max Verstappen

  21. Nov 5 - São Paulo GP – Winner: Max Verstappen

  22. Nov 19 - Las Vegas GP – Winner: Max Verstappen

  23. Nov 26 - Abu Dhabi GP

2023 F1 teams and drivers

Red Bull

  • Max Verstappen

  • Sergio Pérez

Ferrari

  • Charles Leclerc

  • Carlos Sainz

Mercedes

  • Lewis Hamilton

  • George Russell

Alpine

  • Pierre Gasly

  • Esteban Ocon

McLaren

  • Lando Norris

  • Oscar Piastri

Alfa-Romeo

  • Valtteri Bottas

  • Guanyu Zhou

Aston Martin

  • Fernando Alonso

  • Lance Stroll

Haas

  • Kevin Magnussen

  • Nico Hulkenberg

AlphaTauri

  • Yuki Tsunoda

  • Daniel Ricciardo

Williams

  • Alex Albon

  • Logan Sargeant

2023 F1 Sprint races

Six Sprint races will be held during the 2023 F1 season, at the Azerbaijan, Austrian, Belgian, Qatar, United States and São Paulo Grands Prix.

That's double the number of Sprints that took place during each of the previous two seasons, despite the jury still being out on the format.

The Baku City Circuit, Spa-Francorchamps, Lusail Circuit and Circuit of The Americas have never previously hosted a Sprint, and the FIA says that they, along with the Red Bull Ring and Interlagos, were selected because of their potential for overtaking opportunities and close or high-speed racing.

The top eight finishers win points, with the winner getting eight points and P8 gaining one, and the sprint race finishing order determines the grid for the Grand Prix.

2023 F1 car changes

Untold hours were dedicated to the discussion of porpoising last season, and the FIA has moved to combat the issue in 2023 by allowing constructors to raise their cars' floor edges by 15mm, and the height of the throat of the diffuser by an as-yet-unspecified amount.

Because of the shocking crash that Zhou Guanyu suffered at Silverstone in 2022, amendments have also been made to the design of roll hoops – the cylindrical structure at the top of the chassis that sits behind the driver's head.

They're now required to be rounded at the top, to prevent them from digging into the ground in the event of a car flipping, which is exactly what happened to Guanyu last year. After colliding with another car, his Alfa-Romeo flipped upside down, skidded at high-speed towards the barriers, before the roll hoop dug into the ground and flipped the car over once more, launching it over the barriers and into the fence just in front of spectators.

The size of the cars' side-mirrors has also been significantly expanded from 150 × 50mm 200 × 60mm.