The 2022 Formula 1 season has been delivering some incredibly exciting races between Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc, and Lewis Hamilton. The sport has thrived under the brand new aerodynamic rule changes that make the cars easier to follow and the result is closer racing.
Formula 1 might be a global sport that is loved all over the planet, but it’s not always easy to watch Formula 1 online despite a multitude of streaming platforms and broadcasting options. The main barrier that internet users will encounter when trying to live stream Formula 1 races is geographical blocking restrictions. As frustrating as these restrictions might be for all the race fanatics across the world, they exist for good reason.
But, you don’t have to face the constant disappointment of that all-too-familiar error message. There is a way that you can bypass geo-blocking restrictions. It’s not complicated to do, all you need is a handy cybersecurity tool that will spoof your location and trick websites into thinking that you are accessing them from elsewhere. Still unsure about how to tune into the next F1 race? Keep reading to get the full lowdown!
Why F1 Streams Are Expensive
First things first, why are Formula 1 streams so expensive and difficult to access? It all comes down to the millions of dollars that media companies need to pay to secure broadcasting rights from Formula 1. Despite paying millions of dollars, media companies still need to abide by some strict rules and regulations — one of which is that they are only allowed to broadcast Formula 1 in specific countries and regions.
For example, if you try to tune into a Sky Sports F1 broadcast from outside of the UK, you will likely run into an annoying error message that says: “this content is not available in your region”. This is known as geo-blocking, and it exists in our modern world on many different platforms, from sports streams to YouTube, and even Netflix.
So, how does a website know where you are accessing it from? Websites will use your IP address to determine your physical location and decide whether or not you are in an approved region that allows you to access the content on the website. An IP address is a unique string of numbers that is essentially your device’s identity on the internet. One of the IP addresses’ main purposes is to pinpoint your physical location.
Have you ever seen adverts for your local bank or your local grocery store when you’re browsing the internet? Websites are using your IP address to send you targeted marketing and adverts based on your location!
How to Unblock Free Streams
In theory then, if you can change this IP address, you can change your device’s “virtual location” which will trick a website into thinking that you are accessing it from a different location. It might sound like a complex and technical process, but thanks to modern technology it has become incredibly easy to change your device’s IP address.
All you need is a popular cybersecurity tool known as a virtual private network, but you might know better than a VPN. The main purpose of a VPN is to improve the security and privacy of your device while browsing the internet.
While using a VPN, your internet connection will be encrypted. With an encrypted internet connection, all of your online activity will be masked. VPNs can provide you with so much protection that not even the government or your internet service provider can keep track of your internet traffic.
This tool is especially helpful when you need to use unsecured networks. These are most commonly found at public WiFi hotspots such as the ones frequently found at airports, hotels, and restaurants.
But what we’re here for is watching Formula 1! When using a VPN, you can connect to secure global servers in other countries around the world. Once you’re connected, your real IP address will be masked, and your device will be routing traffic through the server’s IP address. This tricks the website into thinking that you are accessing the internet from the country where the server is based.
As for free F1 streams, those exist! Some countries such as Austria broadcast this adrenaline-fueled sport for free to their viewers. So, if you connect to a VPN server in Austria and head over to the SRF website, you can stream Formula 1 for free, no matter where you are in the world!
This allows you to skip the expensive subscription fees that come with the most popular F1 streaming platforms such as Sky Sports F1 and ESPN.
Finding the Right VPN
Before you head off to install a VPN on your device though, it’s important to keep in mind that you can’t just use any VPN! It’s not about choosing the VPN with the quirkiest name or the most appealing color scheme — there’s a lot more to it than that.
The first, and most important rule when choosing a VPN is to avoid free VPNs. While subscribing to a premium VPN might cost you a penny or two every month, it’ll all be worth it in the end. By using a free VPN, you will encounter a bunch of drawbacks such as slower connection speeds, less security, more ads, fewer global servers to choose from, and even daily data limits.
When choosing between premium VPNs, it’s important to do thorough research before installing a VPN on your device. Each VPN has its strengths and weaknesses. When it comes to streaming Formula 1 races, you want to use VPNs that have fast and stable connections and a VPN that has a multitude of secure global servers to choose from.
Some premium VPN vendors will offer free trials and money-back guarantees. This allows you to try out the VPN for a specific period. You can use these free trials to decide whether the VPN is right for you, or if you need to move on to a different one.
