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A Quick Guide: How to Watch the 2023 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix

The 2023 Formula 1 season is heading to Melbourne for the Australian Grand Prix!

The famous Albert Park Circuit will host the race on Sunday, April 2, 2023 at 3:00 PM (GMT+11) local time. Unfortunately, it’s a tough time zone for everyone else, with fans in the United States expecting a 1:00 AM (EST) race start, and fans in the UK catching a 6:00 AM (BST) green flag.

Want to watch the Australian GP for free? We’re going to show you how. Luckily, our roundup of free streams also offer replays for fans in tricky time zones.

  1. Choose a VPN provider. Our recommendation is Surfshark.
  2. Download the VPN on your device.
  3. Create your account and log in.
  4. Connect to a server in Luxembourg.
  5. Launch the RTL Zwee player to watch the 2023 Australian Grand Prix for free.
  6. Enjoy all the action from Melbourne!

We’ll cover free streams and VPNs in more depth below. We’ll also get into the latest news in the F1 world to ensure that you’re up to speed with everything you need to know for the 2023 Australian Grand Prix!

The 2023 Formula 1 season is heading Down Under to the Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne, Australia. The season has gotten off to a flying start, but Red Bull has been unbeatable so far. Nevertheless, the action on track has been electrifying.

The Australian Grand Prix is lights out at 3:00 PM (GMT+11) local time on Sunday, April 2. Unfortunately, the timezone makes it tough on F1 fans all around the world! Tuning in from the United States, you can expect a 1:00 AM (EST) race start. Fans from the U.K. will have to wake up early for this one, the race starts at 6:00 AM (BST).

As usual, Free Practice and Qualifying will be running this weekend, but it might be too early for most fans to tune into. Fortunately, many of our free live streams also offer replays. We’ve got the full 2023 Australian Grand Prix schedule later on!

Keen on watching the 2023 Australian Grand Prix for free? We’ll show you how!

How to Watch the 2023 F1 Australian Grand Prix Free

There are plenty of places where you can watch the 2023 Australian Prix for free. However, you might not be able to take advantage of these free streams because of geo-blocking restrictions. Fortunately, you can bypass these restrictions by changing your IP address, which allows you to access these free streams.

For instance, you can’t tune into the Sky Sports stream from outside of the U.K. Even if you’re a paying Sky Sports subscriber, you’ll be blocked from accessing the stream unless you’re within the U.K. borders.

The good news is that you can change your IP address by using a VPN. This will spoof your device’s location and trick the website into believing that you’re accessing it from the correct region.

It might sound difficult, but it’s not! We’re going to show you how to stream the 2023 Australian Grand Prix for free below.

Step-by-step guide: How to live stream the 2023 Formula 1 Australian free with a VPN

  1. Select a winning VPN provider. We recommend Surfshark. Its blistering speeds and network of 3,200+ servers in 100 countries get us to the finish line every time.
  2. Set up an account, then download the VPN. Whatever your preferred device, Surfshark has apps available for all major platforms, including iOS and Android, Windows or Mac, and even Smart TVs.

    Screenshot of Surfshark Antivirus, Download options
  3. Log into your account. You’ll be prompted to enter your login details upon launch.

    Screenshot of Surfshark VPN, login
  4. Connect to a server in Luxembourg.

    Screenshot of Surfshark interface, connected to Luxembourg server
  5. Head over to RTL Zwee now that you’re connected to a Luxembourg IP address.

    Screenshot of RTL Luxembourg F1 page
  6. Find the 2023 Australian Grand Prix and watch F1’s best go Down Under at Albert Park Circuit!

2023 Formula 1 Australia: Free Streams

With a VPN installed on your device, you have the freedom to choose any stream in the world! If you connect your VPN to servers in countries like Luxembourg, Brazil, and Belgium, you can benefit from free F1 streams! There are some other countries that offer free, legal, and legitimate F1 streams too.

It’s important to note that these streams don’t offer English commentary though. If that’s a deal-breaker for you, try out SlingTV‘s Orange Package. First-timers will be able to get a discounted rate.

We’ve put together a list of the best free live streams for Formula 1 races in 2023 below. All you need to do is connect your VPN to the relevant countries before heading to these websites and enjoy all the F1 action!

COUNTRYONLINE BROADCASTERSTREAMSREQUIREMENTS
Luxembourg (Recommended)RTL ZWEELive coverage of all 23 racesNone
Belgium RTBFLive coverage of all 23 racesEmail, name, birthday, Belgian postcode
BrazilBandLive coverage of all 23 racesEmail, name, birthday
AustriaServus TVLimited live streams and replaysNone
SwitzerlandPlay SRFLimited live streams and replaysNone
AlbaniaRTSHLimited live streamsNone
ItalyTV8ReplaysNone
United KingdomChannel 4Watch HighlightsEmail, name, and UK address
United StatesSlingTV
YouTube TV
DIRECTV STREAM
FuboTV
Live coverage of all 23 racesSubscription (Free Trials)

Can I Watch the 2023 Australian Grand Prix with a Free VPN?

You might come across some free VPNs online, and it’s incredibly tempting to use these while tuning into a free live stream. However, it’s actually not worth it, and here’s why:

  • Buffering and poor image quality: If you’re using a free VPN, one of the main problems that you will notice is that they have slow connection speeds. That means you’ll be dealing with buffering and poor image quality while trying to watch the race.
  • Streams cutting off early: Free VPNs come with daily bandwidth restrictions. Oftentimes you’re limited to just 500 MB per day, which is not enough to watch the entire race. You’ll likely be cut off before the halfway point of the race if you’re using a free VPN to stream F1.
  • Annoying ads: Free VPN providers need to make money somehow, and their main source of income is through intrusive ads. These will pop up frequently and block your view of all the racing action.

If you’re still not too keen on paying for a VPN, you should try out Surfshark’s 30-day free trial.

Alternatively, you can try out some of the top free VPNs that are legitimate and worth your time.

Watch the 2023 Australian Grand Prix with F1 TV Pro

F1 TV Pro is a great choice for F1 fans who are tired of hopping from one stream to another. It’s the official F1 streaming service, and it’s packed with some incredible features that racing fanatics will love. The price tag is $9.99 per month (or $79.99 per year).

When using F1 TV Pro, viewers can cycle between each of the 20 drivers’ onboard cameras and listen in on their live, unfiltered team radio during any session, including the main race. You can also use the live timing, driver tracker, and circuit map features to build your own “pit wall” experience as you keep track of each driver’s performance. On top of that, you can watch some great races from the archives or catch up on highlights.

Since we’re in Australia this weekend, here are some classic Aussie Grands Prix you should watch: 2010, 2002, 1994.

F1 TV Pro is currently available in 89 countries — but they’re expanding to more countries soon! If the service isn’t available in your region though, you can use a VPN to gain access by connecting to a server in a country where F1 TV Pro is available.

Here’s a quick tip before you sign up. Connect to a VPN server in India and you’ll see the subscription price drop to just $29.99 per year (2449 INR). There are plenty of other ways you can save money on subscriptions using a VPN.

2023 Formula 1 Australia Full Schedule

The F1 Australian Grand Prix will start at 3:00 PM local time (GMT+11) on Sunday, Apr. 2, 2023, at the Albert Park Circuit. Make sure to tune into the Free Practice and Qualifying sessions, too — if it’s not too early in your time zones.

Check out the full F1 Australia schedule below:

EventDateLocal time (GMT+11)
Free Practice 1Friday, March 31, 202312:30 PM – 1:30 PM
Free Practice 2Friday, March 31, 20234:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Free Practice 3Saturday, April 1, 202312:30 PM – 1:30 PM
QualifyingSaturday, April 1, 20234:00 PM – 5:00 PM
RaceSunday, April 2, 20233:00 PM – 5:00 PM

2023 Australian Grand Prix: What to Expect

The Formula 1 circus heads down to Melbourne for the third round of the 2023 season. We’ve had plenty of incredible moments at the Australian Grand Prix in the past, and this year will be no different. The Albert Park circuit is short and narrow, but it’s a burner! On top of that, there’s often some rain around at this time of year, which always keeps things interesting on the track.

Unstoppabull

Red Bull Racing took another 1-2 finish at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. However, it wasn’t as straightforward as it was in Bahrain. Max Verstappen had to start the race from 15th place after his car suffered a driveshaft failure in Qualifying. Verstappen powered his way through the field, and by lap 25, he was already back in second place. He was charging on to take the lead off his teammate, but the driveshaft issue cropped up again later in the race, causing him to nurse his car to the finish line.

His teammate Sergio Perez took pole position in Qualifying. However, Checo was stunned by the fast-starting Fernando Alonso as the lights went out in Saudi Arabia. Alonso held on to the lead for several laps before Checo managed to overtake him again to reclaim the lead. From there, it was a comfortable drive to the top step of the podium for the Mexican.

The Red Bull drivers are currently sitting first and second in the driver’s standings. Surprisingly, this is the first time that Red Bull has had back-to-back 1-2 finishes in 14 years! Can anyone stop the charging Bulls?

Aston Martin’s hot streak continues

Fernando Alonso took third place in the Grand Prix, but it certainly was a controversial one. At the start of the Grand Prix, Alonso was out of position in his starting box, which means that he earned a five-second time penalty that he had to serve before his pit stop. Alonso got lucky with a safety car during his pit stop, and returned to the track in second place without losing any time to Perez ahead of him.

However, at the end of the race it was revealed that the rear jackman at Aston Martin touched the car before the five-second penalty had been served, which would earn Alonso an additional 10-second time penalty (added at the end of the race), demoting him to 4th place. Aston Martin decided to review the penalty and found seven instances of the same incident taking place without a penalty being given. After a few hours of debating with the FIA, Alonso’s podium was reinstated and the Spaniard got his second podium of the season and the 100th podium of his career — quite a memorable one.

Aston Martin has shown strong pace throughout the opening rounds of the season. The Albert Park circuit might be the track where their car can reel in the Red Bulls even more. Red Bull’s straight-line speed won’t give them such a huge upper hand in Australia, so could we see Aston Martin fighting for a win this weekend?

McLaren hit rock bottom

McLaren is a team that is in complete disarray at the moment. Oscar Piastri put in an excellent performance to drag his car into 8th place during Qualifying for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. However, at the start of the race, he was forced wide and made contact with an Alpine, causing a piece of his front wing end plate to be sheered off. As if that wasn’t unlucky enough, it was the same piece of debris that hit his teammate’s car moments later.

With both Piastri and Lando Norris’ cars damaged, they had to return to the pits for repairs, leaving both of them dead last. The remainder of the race was torturous for the British team as the two cars trundled to 15th and 17th places (out of 18 finishers). While they might have been unlucky in the race, their general performance on track has been well below par.

On Wednesday, McLaren announced a new partnership with Workday, which makes them the team with the most sponsors (47). However, with the team only going backward in terms of performance, you have to start questioning the structure and goals at McLaren — but hey, at least they have a revolutionary digital ad panel on their car!

Can anyone stop Red Bull in Australia? Will Aston Martin get their first victory this weekend? Can Ferrari and Mercedes get back on the podium? We’ll find out on Sunday!

2023 Driver Standings

Here’s what the driver standings look like going into Australian Grand Prix:

PositionDriver (team)Points
1Max Verstappen (Red Bull)44
2Sergio Perez (Red Bull)43
3Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)30
4Carlos Sainz (Ferrari)20
5Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)20

Formula 1 Official Broadcasters

Formula 1 is a massively popular sport all around the world. There are plenty of broadcasters around, and if you find yourself in one of the regions below, you may be able to tune into the race without using a VPN.

You may need a subscription to the streaming platform, or access to a local cable TV. Below is the complete list of broadcasters for the 2023 Formula 1 season:

COUNTRYCHANNEL
AFRICASuperSport
ALBANIARTSH
ARGENTINA FOX Sports
ARMENIASetanta Sports
AUSTRALIAFox Sports Channels
Network Ten
AUSTRIAServus TV
ORF
Sky Sport F1
AZERBAIJANSetanta Sports
BELARUSSetanta Sports
BELGIUMRTBF
Telenet
Play Sport Open
BOSNIASport Klub
BRAZILBandeirantes
BULGARIADiema Sport
CANADARDS
RDS 2
TSN
CHINAGreat Sports
Guangdong Sports
CCTV
CROATIASport Klub
CYPRUSCytavision
CZECH REPUBLICSport 1
DENMARKTV3+
TV3 Sport
ESTONIAViaplay
FINLANDV Sport
FRANCECanal+
Canal+ Sport
C8
GERMANYSky Sport F1
GREECEANT 1
HONG KONGbeIN Sports
HUNGARYM4 Sport
IRELANDSky Sports F1
Channel 4 (UK)
INDIAF1TV Pro
INDONESIAbeIN Sports
ISRAELSport 5
ITALYTV8
Sky Sport F1
JAPANFuji TV Next
KOSOVOArt Sport
LATIN AMERICA (Except Argentina and Mexico)ESPN
LUXEMBOURGRTL
Sky Sport
MALAYSIA AND BRUNEIbeIN Sports
MALTATotal Sports Network
MEXICOFOX Sports
Canal 5
MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICAMBC Action
Shahid (SSC)
MONTENEGROSportKlub
MYANMARCanal+
NETHERLANDSViaplay
NOS
NEW ZEALANDSky Sport
NORWAYV Sport
PAPUA NEW GUINEA & PACIFIC ISLANDSDigicel
PHILIPPINESbeIN Sports
POLANDViaplay
PORTUGALSport TV
ROMANIAOrange Sport
Digisport
Prima Sport
RUSSIAMatch TV
Contract terminated (Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine)
SERBIASport Klub
SINGAPORESingtel
StarHub
SLOVAKIASport 1
SLOVENIASportKlub
SOUTH KOREACoupang Play
SPAINMediaset
SWEDENV Sport
SWITZERLANDSRG SSR
Canal +
Canal + Sport
Sky Sport F1
THAILANDbeIN Sports
TURKEYS Sport
UKRAINESetanta Ukraine
UNITED KINGDOMChannel 4
Sky Sports F1
USAABC
ESPN
ESPN Deportes
ESPN+
VIETNAMK+
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