How to Watch F1 Live From Germany (100% Working in 2024)
Reading time: 11 min
Updated on November 27, 2023
It’s possible to watch F1 races in Germany with a subscription to Sky Sports F1. This is the only platform in Germany airing F1 races. Unfortunately, this is a long-term subscription plan.
Technically, it’s possible to use a VPN to watch F1 races on other streaming platforms in Germany. However, my team and I don’t condone this behavior — it likely goes against the terms of use of your streaming platform and could be a violation of copyright.
If you have a subscription to Sky Sports F1, you can watch the races with a VPN to ensure a private and secure connection. Our team in Germany tested multiple services and found ExpressVPN is the top choice for streaming, with fast speeds and reliable servers. Better still, you can try ExpressVPN risk-free and get a full refund if you’re not satisfied. Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
Watch F1 in Germany with ExpressVPN
Quick Guide: Watch F1 Live Online in Germany in 3 Easy Steps
- Get a VPN. ExpressVPN’s super-fast server network has reliable connections for streaming the F1 without lag. Try ExpressVPN risk-free for 30 days!
- Connect to a server. Your VPN can auto-connect you to the closest and fastest server for the best streaming experience.
- Start watching F1 in Germany! Connect to your Sky Sports F1 account and enjoy every moment of the races in HD quality.
Important! My team and I don’t condone breaking terms of use or copyright rules. The VPNs in this article have strict zero-log policies, so they will not track or store your activity. It is your responsibility to use your VPN in a way that abides by all applicable laws and regulations.
The Best VPNs to Watch the F1 Races in 2024
1. ExpressVPN — Best VPN With Fast Lightway-Enabled Servers to Watch F1 Races in Germany
Key Features:
- 3,000+ servers in 105 countries
- Lightning-fast speeds, so races are never interrupted by buffering (even in HD)
- Watch F1 races with friends and family by connecting up to 8 devices simultaneously
- Detailed guides and video tutorials on the website, and email and 24/7 live chat support
- 30-day money-back guarantee to try ExpressVPN risk-free
ExpressVPN is the top choice for watching F1 races on Sky Sports F1 in Germany. All of its servers are optimized for streaming, and our team in Germany didn’t experience interruptions caused by high traffic.
During tests, ExpressVPN had consistently fast speeds — enough to watch the event live without lags or buffering. It only took 4-6 seconds to connect to a server, and the team could easily switch between servers.
In my evaluations, I enhanced ExpressVPN’s already rapid server network by utilizing the highly efficient Lightway VPN protocol. This in-house designed protocol is specifically optimized for maximum speed and dependability, ensuring a fast and seamless experience. With Lightway, you can easily enjoy HD streaming of F1 races in Germany without any buffering interruptions.
You can quickly connect to your frequently used servers by adding them to ExpressVPN’s “favorites” tab that you can access from its interface. To make watching F1 races even easier, you can add Sky Sports F1 to “shortcuts” on ExpressVPN’s app, and as soon as you connect to a server, just click the icon to be taken to the site. Although ExpressVPN is slightly more expensive than other VPNs on this list, you can try it without any risk before committing to the purchase. I also found an offer that lets you get % off ExpressVPN’s annual plan, which could save you some money.
The VPN has a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try watching F1 races with ExpressVPN risk-free. I signed up for the service for a few weeks to confirm this refund policy. Then, 3 weeks in, all I did was reach out to ExpressVPN’s support via live chat and ask for a refund. The support agent processed my request with no questions asked, and I had the money in my PayPal account in 2 days.
Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
ExpressVPN is compatible with: Windows, Android, macOS, iOS, Linux, routers, Chrome, Kindle, Firefox, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Smart TVs.
ExpressVPN works with: Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Sling TV, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, HBO Max, YouTube TV, ESPN, and more.
Get ExpressVPN's Black Friday Deal! You can subscribe to ExpressVPN for as low as per month + get extra 4 months free with the 2-year plan (save up to %)! This is a limited offer so grab it now before it's gone. See more information on this offer here.
2. CyberGhost — Streaming-Optimized Servers Provide Fast Connections & HD Quality While Watching F1 Races
Key Features:
- 11,670+ servers in 100 countries
- Watch live racing on 7 devices at once
- Email and 24/7 live chat support in English (available in German too, but not 24/7)
- Generous 45-day money-back guarantee to watch F1 races for over a month in Germany
CyberGhost has streaming-optimized servers in Germany that let you stream Formula 1 races in HD without buffering. While there isn’t a server specifically for Sky Sports F1, our German team found CyberGhost’s optimized German servers work well. It’s easy to find the servers on CyberGhost’s streaming menu — with one click, you can favorite the working options so you can connect instantly for upcoming races.
With so many exciting moments as cars hug tight corners and zoom toward the finish line, jerky videos can immediately ruin the fun. CyberGhost’s servers have fast speeds, but our team noted it could sometimes take over 10 seconds for videos to buffer. Make sure you stick to CyberGhost’s optimized servers — they always deliver faster speeds than the regular servers.
But there’s a minor con — CyberGhost’s 1-month plan is pricey and only offers a 14-day money-back guarantee. To spend less, you can sign up for longer-term plans that’ll let you try out CyberGhost VPN to watch F1 races for up to 45 days risk-free.
With the refund policy, you’ll have plenty of time to watch a few F1 races, and you can reach out to CyberGhost’s 24/7 live chat to get your money back if you aren’t happy with the VPN. In my case, the live chat agent processed my refund request without any back-and-forth. And the money was back in my bank account that same week.
Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as CyberGhost VPN. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
CyberGhost is compatible with: Windows, Android, macOS, iOS, Linux, routers, Chrome, Firefox, Safari, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Smart TVs.
CyberGhost works with: Netflix, Disney+, Sling TV, BBC iPlayer, HBO Max, YouTube TV, ESPN, and more.
2024 Update! You can subscribe to CyberGhost for as low as per month + get an extra 2 months free with the 2-year plan (save up to %)! This is a limited offer so grab it now before it's gone. See more information on this offer here.
3. Private Internet Access (PIA) — Huge Server Network Helps You Avoid Slow F1 Streams in Germany
Key Features:
- Over 35,000 servers in 91 countries
- Huge server network means your selected server never gets overcrowded during racing streams
- Enjoy F1 races by connecting up to unlimited devices
- Support via email, 24/7 live chat, and online forums on PIA’s website and Reddit
- 30-day money-back guarantee to test PIA with confidence
Overcrowded servers cause lag, reduced video quality, and buffering delays, so I love that PIA has a large server network for watching Formula 1 in Germany. With such a massive network, the servers never filled up enough to disturb my streams during testing. Connecting to PIA’s extensive server network will let you catch all the motorsports action from the start of the race all the way to the finish line.
With the ability to watch F1 races on up to unlimited of your devices at once, PIA gives you more simultaneous connections than most VPNs on this list. I connected to 3 Windows PCs, 2 Android phones, and an iPad and didn’t experience significant slowdowns or other issues. There was some more lag at the very beginning of my streams — but it only lasted for a few seconds, so it wasn’t a big deal.
If you are particular about speed, you should know that despite its large server network, PIA isn’t quite as fast as ExpressVPN or CyberGhost. But if you’re on a tight budget, PIA is a more affordable option, and its speeds are more than enough for HD streaming.
If you’re unsure about the VPN, you can use PIA to watch F1 races with no commitment using its 30-day money-back guarantee. To ask for a refund, I had to file a support ticket and state a reason (I said I preferred a different VPN). An agent replied and processed my request within an hour, and I had the money later that week.
Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as Private Internet Access. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
PIA is compatible with: Windows, Android, macOS, iOS, Linux, routers, Kindle, Chrome, Firefox, PlayStation, Apple TV, and Smart TVs.
PIA works with: Netflix, Sling TV, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max, YouTube TV, and more.
2024 Update! You can subscribe to PIA for as low as per month + get an extra 2 months free with the 2-year plan (save up to %)! This is a limited offer, so grab it now before it's gone! See more information on this offer here!
4. NordVPN — Premium VPN With Cheap Prices on Long-Term Plans
Key Features:
- Short and long-term subscriptions available
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- 6,300+ global servers in 111 countries
- Unlimited bandwidth
- Protect up to 10 devices at once
NordVPN is one of the best VPNs on the market — and you can get super cheap prices when you sign up for a long-term subscription. One thing to note, however, is that when it’s time to renew your subscription, prices do increase quite significantly.
I was particularly impressed with the high performance of every server I tested. Just because a VPN has thousands of servers doesn’t mean they all work. Servers can still struggle to work — and some can even fail to connect completely. However, NordVPN’s servers work with Netflix for smooth, buffer-free streaming.
I did, however, have issues with using NordVPN’s native Fire TV app. Although it mostly worked with Netflix, it sometimes had issues and kept crashing. I also found that NordVPN’s user interface for desktop devices was less user-friendly than ExpressVPN and CyberGhost.
NordVPN has the following security and privacy features:
- AES 256-bit encryption
- kill switch that cuts your internet access if your connection to a VPN server drops suddenly
- built-in ad and malware blocker, so you don’t need a third-party ad blocker
- fully audited no-logs policy (audited by PwC) – NordVPN doesn’t store any personal or identifying data while you’re connected to the VPN
In addition, NordVPN includes Threat Protection that protects you from viruses, infected websites, and trackers – and it works whenever you have the NordVPN app open, even if you’re not connected to a VPN server.
With plans that cost as little as $2.99 per month, it's easy to find a NordVPN subscription plan that suits your needs. You can also stream, torrent, and browse for free for up to 30 days with its money-back guarantee. I tested this to ensure that you’ll really get your money back. At first, the support team tried to give me an extended trial period — but they initiated my refund right away after I told them I wasn’t interested in the extension. I got my money back in 6 business days.
NordVPN works with: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Disney+, SkyTV, HBO Max, SHOWTIME, DAZN, ESPN, YouTube TV, and more
NordVPN works on: Windows, Mac OS, Android, iOS, Windows Phone, Chromebook, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Fire Stick, and Android TV
5. Surfshark — Best Value for Money with Unlimited Device Connections and Fast Speeds
Key Features:
- Short and long-term plans available
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- 3,200+ global servers in 100 countries
- No bandwidth restrictions
- Connect unlimited devices at once
Surfshark offers the best value for money out of every premium VPN on the market. You can connect an unlimited number of devices with a single subscription, which means you can use Surfshark on all your devices without getting logged out.
I tested Surfshark’s simultaneous connections on 2 PCs, 2 phones, a Fire Stick 4K, and an iPad. My connection remained reliable on all 6 devices. Even while I was actively streaming on all my devices, my average speed was 112 Mbps — fast enough for UHD quality.
When I saw the price of this service, I thought it couldn’t possibly have top-grade security features for such a low price, but I was pleasantly surprised.
Surfshark has the following security and privacy features:
- AES 256-bit encryption on all devices, with ChaCha encryption available for Android users
- Wireguard VPN protocol enabled by default
- diskless, RAM-only servers to protect your privacy (no data can be physically extracted from any servers)
- kill switch (although this isn’t enabled by default)
- IP and DNS leak protection
Surfshark offers two-factor authentication (2FA) on your account. This feature requires you to enter an extra code before you can log in to ensure that only you can access your account.
While Surfshark does have slightly fewer global servers than rivals such as CyberGhost and PIA, I didn’t experience any issues during my tests. I easily connected fast working servers every time, and I had excellent speeds for streaming, downloading torrents, and browsing the internet.
You can try Surfshark for yourself with the 30-day money-back guarantee. It has plans that cost as little as $1.99. Requesting a refund is easy with Surfshark’s live chat feature. Although the support team asked why I wanted to cancel my subscription, I had no problem getting my money back (and it only took 4 days!).
Surfshark works with: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, Sling TV, Hotstar, HBO Max, DAZN, and more
Surfshark works on: Windows, Mac OS, Android, iOS, Linux, Fire Stick, Samsung Smart TVs, LG Smart TVs, Android TV, Kodi, and selected routers
FAQs on Watching F1 in Germany With a VPN
Can I watch the F1 races for free?
No, unfortunately not. In Germany, you’ll need a paid streaming service to watch F1 races. You can try a monthly plan from one of our top VPNs for watching F1 in Germany to reduce costs.
Why does my VPN not work with F1 races?
You shouldn’t have any issues watching F1 with the VPNs on this list, but there’s usually a quick fix if you do. Here are a few things you can try:
- Update the VPN to the latest version
- Close the app and try reconnecting again
- Clear your browser cache and cookies, then try Sky Sports F1 again
- Contact your VPN’s 24/7 customer service team for help
Can I Use Free VPNs to Watch F1 races?
It can be tempting to use a free VPN to stream F1 races, but I don’t recommend it. Free VPNs have low streaming quality, bandwidth caps, and throttled speeds; you can only watch F1 in Germany lag-free with a quality VPN.
To make money, free VPNs will interrupt your race with ads, and some will collect your data (that you’re trying to keep safe) and sell it to advertisers. The worst free providers may even put malware onto your devices to spy on you or steal your logins.
There’s no reason to risk your safety and privacy with a “free” provider. Eventually, most people realize free VPNs aren’t worth it. All the premium VPNs listed here come with great deals that can save you a lot of money. But you’ll still get unlimited bandwidth and speedy servers that even the best free VPNs can’t match.
Start Watching F1 Online With a VPN Today!
You can watch this year’s F1 races if you’re in Germany, and I recommend using a quality VPN to do so privately. Our team in Germany tested dozens of providers to find solid VPNs with fast speeds for lag-free racing. With these VPNs, you can connect to a server and start watching the F1 action in no time!
Supercharged speeds make ExpressVPN an excellent pick for watching F1 racing in Germany. Our team didn’t even get a millisecond of buffering, and races always played in high quality — even when streaming on multiple devices simultaneously. If you want to see how fast it is for yourself, you can try ExpressVPN to watch the F1 races totally risk-free. It has a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can get a full refund if you’re not impressed.
Summary — Watch F1 Races Now With These VPNs (Updated 2024)
Editor's Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: ExpressVPN, Cyberghost, Private Internet Access, and Intego. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
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