Is F1 TV Pro Commentary in English?
Yes, F1 TV Pro‘s live race commentary is available in English by default. While other languages can optionally be chosen, fans who subscribe to F1 TV Pro can enjoy races with original English commentary without needing to change any settings.
Now let‘s do a deep dive into F1 TV Pro‘s offerings, pricing, platform availability and value to see why it‘s an attractive option for Formula 1 fans seeking an immersive viewing experience.
Overview of F1 TV Pro
F1 TV Pro provides live, ad-free streams for all F1 track sessions including races, qualifying, practices, and sprint events. Subscribers get access to extra features not available in traditional TV broadcasts:
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Multiple live driver onboard cameras – Follow the action inch-perfect from your favorite driver‘s perspective. Onboards help provide insights into racing lines, braking points, wheel-to-wheel battles and more.
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Team radio broadcasts – Listen in on conversations between drivers and engineers to understand race strategy and garage tensions. Team radio spice up the drama when things get heated!
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Live telemetry data overlays – Real-time telemetry displays gaps between cars, speed, gear selection, tire info, and other statistics to help analyze on track action better.
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Interactive live leaderboards – Keep track of driver positions, times and intervals between cars as they continuously update in real-time during sessions.
According to Formula 1, F1 TV had 519,000 paid subscribers globally at the end of 2020. This was a 59% growth over 2019‘s subscriber base of 327,000.
The service has continued to see strong adoption since then. Reportedly, the 2021 Austrian Grand Prix saw 73% more viewers tuning into F1 TV compared to the 2020 race.
In a survey of 4,000 F1 fans globally, respondents said:
- 53% signed up for F1 TV Pro because it was more affordable than other pay TV options.
- 47% did so for access to extra content like archives and documentaries.
- Only 23% signed up primarily for live race viewing.
This indicates F1 TV Pro‘s exclusive offerings beyond just live streaming are major incentives for fans.
F1 TV Pro Price and Plans
Here are the current F1 TV Pro subscription options:
| Plan | Monthly Price | Annual Price |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly | $10 | – |
| Annual | – | $80 ($6.67 per month equivalent) |
Compared to cable/streaming packages with sports channels that show F1, F1 TV Pro comes out much cheaper – especially if you opt for the annual plan
For example:
- Sling TV Orange + Blue package (includes ESPN for F1): $50/month
- YouTube TV (includes ESPN): $65/month
- DirecTV Stream Choice (includes ESPN): $70/month
For fans who only care about watching F1 and want to cut the cord, F1 TV Pro clearly is the most cost effective option.
Which Countries Can Access F1 TV Pro?
F1 TV Pro has rolled out to over 60 regions worldwide. But it does have geographical restrictions in place and is not universally available yet.
Some of the major countries where F1 TV Pro is accessible:
- USA 🇺🇸
- Canada 🇨🇦
- Germany 🇩🇪
- Austria 🇦🇹
- Switzerland 🇨🇭
- Netherlands 🇳🇱
- Belgium 🇧🇪
- Poland 🇵🇱
- Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Norway 🇸🇪
- Spain, Portugal 🇵🇹
- Turkey 🇹🇷
- New Zealand 🇳🇿
- Australia 🇦🇺
- Mexico 🇲🇽
- Brazil 🇧🇷
- Singapore, Malaysia and other parts of Southeast Asia
- Several countries in Latin America and the Caribbean
However, F1 TV Pro is geo-blocked in certain major markets due to exclusive broadcast rights deals. These include:
- UK 🇬🇧
- Ireland 🇮🇪
- Italy 🇮🇹
- France 🇫🇷
- India 🇮🇳
The cheaper F1 TV Access package with replays and archive content is available in the blocked regions. Live race viewing requires Pro.
Using a VPN to Bypass Geo-Restrictions
If F1 TV Pro is geo-blocked in your country, using a VPN provides a simple way around the location restrictions.
A VPN allows you to change your IP address and virtual location by connecting through servers in different international locations.
To watch F1 TV Pro, follow these steps using a VPN:
- Sign up for a reputable VPN service like ExpressVPN, NordVPN or Surfshark.
- Download and install the VPN app on your device.
- Connect to a server in a country where F1 TV Pro is available, like the US or Germany.
- Once connected, visit F1 TV and sign up for a subscription.
- You can now stream F1 live by essentially appearing as if you are accessing the service from the chosen country.
With a VPN, you can gain access to F1 TV Pro from anywhere in the world.
F1 TV Access vs Pro Packages Compared
It‘s important to note the differences between the F1 TV Pro and F1 TV Access packages.
The Access plan is a cheaper subscription that costs $3/month or $27/year. However, it does NOT include live race streaming.
Here is a side-by-side comparison:
| Features | F1 TV Access | F1 TV Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Price (annual) | $27 | $80 |
| Live race streaming | ❌ | ✅ |
| Replays | ✅ | ✅ |
| Highlights | ✅ | ✅ |
| Historic archive | ✅ | ✅ |
| Documentaries | ✅ | ✅ |
| Driver cams | ❌ | ✅ |
| Team radio | ❌ | ✅ |
| Live data | ❌ | ✅ |
While Access is a good budget option for race replays and classic footage, Pro is required for the full live race day experience.
Supported Devices and Streaming Quality
F1 TV Pro can be streamed across a broad range of devices:
- iPhone, iPad (iOS)
- Android phones, tablets
- Laptop, Desktop (Windows, MacOS)
- Smart TVs (Android TV, Samsung, LG, Sony)
- Media streaming devices (Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV)
- Gaming consoles (PlayStation, Xbox)
Video quality goes up to 1080p resolution at 50 frames per second. This high frame rate results in smooth streaming free of lag and stuttering.
F1TV automatically adjusts stream quality based on your Internet connection speeds. For the optimal viewing experience, Formula 1 recommends Internet speeds of at least 10 Mbps, especially if you want to stream multiple feeds.
Unique Interactive Features
Besides live timing data and driver cams, F1 TV Pro gives access to these interactive second screen features:
Live Driver Tracker Map – Visualize all 20 cars on an interactive map of the circuit. Check gaps between drivers and see where battles are heating up.
Pit Lane Channel – Mix showing pit stop strategies and garage actions between sessions.
Driver of the Day – Vote for your top driver after each race.
F1 Fantasy Live – Get live updates from your Fantasy F1 team during races.
These enhancements make race days an immersive, multi-perspective experience for superfans.
Pros of Choosing F1 TV Pro
Here are some key advantages F1 TV Pro has over other streaming options:
- Costs up to 6X less than cable/streaming packages if you only want to watch F1
- Default English commentary available without needing to change languages
- No ads during live race streaming so uninterrupted viewing
- Interactive features like live maps and driver cams add new dimensions
- On-demand access to full race replays, highlights and archive footage
- Flexible plans – can switch between monthly and annual billing
According to an F1 fan survey, the top reasons for choosing F1 TV Pro were:
- Lower price (53% respondents)
- Extra content like archives/documentaries (47%)
- Ad-free experience (39%)
- Access to live races (35%)
- Interactive features (19%)
Potential Drawbacks to Consider
While F1 TV Pro has many benefits, there are some limitations:
- Geo-blocking in certain countries makes access difficult without a VPN
- Only live TV option lacks pre/post race shows or analysis you get on networks
- Streaming issues sometimes arise due to high demand spikes during races
- No 4K or Dolby Atmos support – max resolution 1080p currently
However, Formula 1 is continuously improving the service. For example, during the 2021 season they doubled available streaming capacity to enhance reliability.
The Verdict: Is F1 TV Pro Worth It?
For die-hard F1 fans around the world, F1 TV Pro is definitely worth the investment. At its affordable pricing, you get live access to every track session along with extras like team radios and driver cams that provide new viewing perspectives.
The default English commentary and flexibility around monthly vs annual subscriptions make it easy to tailor the package to your needs. Geo-blocking can be overcome through a good VPN service.
Occasional streaming hiccups aside, the service offers incredible value compared to alternatives. The ad-free, interactive experience allows you to immerse yourself in race weekends like never before. F1 TV Pro is a must for any serious Formula 1 fan.