Fans and drivers alike desperately await the Japan Grand Prix every racing season. As one of the few tracks still helming a thrilling figure-eight layout, we can see why the Suzuka Circuit is such a core favourite. Two drivers spring to mind in recent F1 history when it comes to the Japan GP, that’s Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel. Seb dominated 2009 to 2013 bar the 2011 race, while Hamilton swept 2014 through till 2018 only missing out on the 2016 outing.
On September 24th, the gates to the Sukuza Circuit are open once more. The 2023 season has been the Max Verstappen show from the offset really. Should there be anything noteworthy to unfold, if Hamilton is to get another Japan GP victory (and his first of the season), he’ll be tied with Michael Schumaker for most all-time driver wins on Sukuza.
If you’re as excited for the Japan GP as we are, it might also bring you excitement to know there’s a way that you can enjoy the race without spending a penny on a pay-per-view or a sports subscription.
How to watch the Japan GP for free
If there’s a chance to catch the thrill of F1 totally free of charge, you can’t afford to pass it up, right? All you need is a little something called a VPN, it’s the key to unlocking this experience.
If you didn’t know, it stands for Virtual private Network and it’s an online privacy tool. It features a clever function that allows you to change your online location (IP address) to that of a different country. This’ll give you access to region-specific content. For you F1 fans, this means you can tune into the Japan GP on a foreign broadcaster that doesn’t charge viewers for watching the race.
The best VPN for streaming
go.expressvpn.com
If you like the sound of a VPN that can help you watch the Japan GP for free, we’ve got to point you towards ExpressVPN. It’s fast, secure, and comes equipped with everything you need to server hop and enjoy the race without paying a dime.
There’s a generous choice of payment plans with Express, and there’s even a free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Pros
- Excellent geo-blocking capabilities
- Fast speeds
- Reliable, stable connections
- Free trial
- Money back guarantee
Where to watch the Japan GP for free
Now you’ve got that handy VPN at the ready, you need to know where you to find the broadcast. We’ve found two streaming sites which will broadcast the Japan GP (and every other F1 race), free of charge. One of these services is based in Austria, the other is based in the US.
Once you’ve set your VPN to Austria in order to access ORF, all you have to do is sign up for a free account and you’re set. When the race starts, you may have to pull up English commentary on the side.
When using DIRECTTV, you’ll need to set your VPN to a US-based server. On the site, you’ll need to pick a package and then sign up or a five-day free trial. Just don’t forget to cancel it once the Japan GP is over and done with.
• ORF (Austria)
• DIRECTTV (US)
The best VPNs for watching Japan GP for free
There are few providers that can stand to the proficiency of ExpressVPN when it comes to accessing and streaming regionally blocked content. We do understand though, that some viewers might have different Virtual Private Network preferences. This is why we’ve gathered some other premium providers that still have a decent chance of unblocking these sites.
• NordVPN from £3.69 p/m: View offer on NordVPN
• Surfshark from £1.97 p/m: View offer on Surfshark
• CyberGhost from £1.92 p/m: View offer on CyberGhost
• Private Internet Access from £1.67 p/m: View offer on PIA
Paying to watch the Japan GP
If you’d prefer to watch the race through a UK media source, we’ve got you sorted too. The best way of doing this is via Sky Sports which you can get the best package through NOW TV. The popular streaming service offers a 24-hour subscription deal for just £11.98. Just like a pay-per-view event, you’ll be able to tune into the F1 at Suzuka with a daily subscription, no strings attached.
A UK source for streaming the Japanese GP
www.nowtv.com
What is a VPN?
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is a tool that encrypts your internet connection between device and network. It’s mainly a privacy safeguard, but it also allows users to change the location of their IP address to access regionally restricted content.
Can I use any VPN to watch the Japan GP for free?
Put ExpressVPN up against any of the competition, and it takes podium every time. Not all VPNs will be able unblock these sites either. If you choose another provider, there’s no guarantee it will unblock the streaming sites. ExpressVPN is your best chance of avoiding the inconvenience of any trial-and-error process.
Is watching the Japan GP with a VPN legal?
Yes, using a VPN to access geo-blocked content like the F1 is completely legal. You aren’t breaking any laws by changing your IP address. The only time you’d be committing a crime is if you were using your VPN to get onto illegal websites and access banned content.
Jack Barrell is the Commercial Content Writer for VPNs. He's hands-on when it comes to producing best-of articles, how-to guides, and product reviews for Virtual Private Networks. On his off-days, Jack can be found in the gym, at the movies, or flicking through a car mag.