F1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix live stream — how to watch the race live online

Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, here going head to head at the US Grand Prix, will be the stars of the F1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix live stream
(Image credit: Clive Mason - Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images)

The F1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix live stream will see title rivals Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen take to the track in the penultimate race of the 2021 season. And after a thrilling qualifying session yesterday, it's all set up for another blockbuster battle.

2021 F1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix live stream: How to watch live online

The 2021 F1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix starts at 12.30 p.m. ET / 9.30 a.m. PT / 5.30 p.m. GMT on Sunday (December 5).
• U.S. — Watch on ESPN via Sling or Fubo.TV
• U.K. — Watch on Sky Sports
• Watch anywhere — Try ExpressVPN 100% risk free

Verstappen, in the Red Bull, looked to have the pace advantage as qualifying reached its conclusion, with Hamilton struggling to get the best from the soft tires. 

With just one lap each left, the Dutchman topped the times and was headed for pole. Hamilton then pulled out a near-flawless lap to regain the lead by 0.1 seconds, but behind him Verstappen went fastest in the first two sectors and was 0.3 seconds up with just one corner remaining. Pole was his to lose.

But lose it he did. His front-left wheel locked up as he entered the corner and rather than slowing, Verstappen kept on the throttle and duly slid into the wall. He will now start third.

That leaves Hamilton in prime position to win in Saudi Arabia and take this contest on to Abu Dhabi for the finale. And the stakes really couldn't be higher. Verstappen leads Hamilton by 8 points, a gap that the Brit has closed substantially in the past two Grands Prix, having won both convincingly. 

Against that, Verstappen and Red Bull still hold the points advantage, and the young Dutchman knows that he could even win the title this weekend if he finishes first and Hamilton is lower than sixth (or fifth if Verstappen also takes fastest lap).

That seems less likely after the drama in qualifying, but Verstappen will expect to cut through the field whether from third and give Hamilton a proper battle. The spectre of safety cars affecting the race also looms; this is a fast, tricky circuit, with little in the way of run-off areas and plenty of potential for collisions. 

And of course the title rivals won't be the only ones on the track; Hamilton's teammate Valtteri Bottas starts second, with Ferrari's Charles Leclerc fourth, and both could come into contention, as could Sergio Perez in the second Red Bull.

It promises to be a fascinating race and you can see it all wherever you are. Here's how to watch the F1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix live stream. 

How to watch the F1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix live stream for free

Most countries have an F1 live stream on one channel or another, but many of them require a subscription. However, if you're lucky enough to live in Austria or Luxembourg then you can watch the F1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix live stream for free.

That's because the race will be shown on free-to-air television on Red Bull's own ServusTV in Austria and RTL Zwee in Luxembourg.

If you're based in Austria or Luxembourg but aren't at home for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, don't worry — you can watch it via a VPN instead. We'll show you how to do that below.

How to watch the F1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix live stream from anywhere in the world

It's natural that you might want to watch the F1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix live stream from your home country, but what if you're not there when the race is on?

Look no further than a VPN, or virtual private network. A VPN makes it look as if you're surfing the web from your home country, rather than the one you're in. That means you can access the streaming services you already pay for, from anywhere on Earth. Or anywhere that has an internet connection, at least.

For instance, a Brit who's currently in the U.S. could watch the F1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix live stream on Sky Sports, even though they're not in the U.K. 

They're totally legal, inexpensive and easy to use. We've tested lots of the best VPN services and our favorite right now is ExpressVPN. It's fast, works on loads of devices and even offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. 

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Using a VPN is incredibly simple.

1. Install the VPN of your choice. As we've said, ExpressVPN is our favorite.

2. Choose the location you wish to connect to in the VPN app. For instance if you're in the U.S. and want to view a U.K. service, you'd select U.K. from the list.

3. Sit back and enjoy the action. Head to Sky Sports or another website and watch the race.

How to watch the F1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix live stream in the US

US flag

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As with all F1 races this season, the F1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix live stream will be shown on ESPN. The action will be spread across multiple channels, with Practice 1 on ESPNU, Practice 2 and 3 on ESPN2, Qualifying on ESPN News and the race itself on ESPN2.

But there's more good news on the ESPN front — because the final two races will also be streamed live on ESPN Plus, ESPN's standalone streaming service; usually, ESPN Plus is not included in F1 coverage. 

There are several ways you can access ESPN — and two of them are among our picks for the best streaming services.

As well as being available through your cable service across the weekend, you can also stream the race via the ESPN app, or on the Watch section of ESPN's website. However, you'll need to authenticate with your satellite, cable or live TV provider credentials to watch any sessions. 

If you don't want to pay for live ESPN in some fashion or another, your best alternative is F1 TV Pro. This is F1's own official F1 live stream service, and as with ESPN's own coverage, it uses the feed from Sky Sports F1. 

F1 TV Pro costs $10 per month or $80 for the season, which is much better value considering there are set to be 23 races this year. Plus you also get Formula 2, Formula 3 and Porsche Supercup races, and F1's archive of classic Grands Prix.

And remember, if you're usually based in the U.S. but aren't there at the moment, you can still watch the services you already subscribe to via a VPN such as ExpressVPN — meaning you can view an F1 live stream from anywhere in the world. 

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How to watch the F1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix live stream in the UK

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As usual, Sky Sports F1 will show all of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix action, and in up to 4K resolution. The race starts at 5.30 p.m. GMT on Sunday.

You'll need to be a Sky Sports subscriber to watch the F1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix live stream: the Sky Sports F1 channel is available for £18 per month, and there are packages available that give you lots more channels for only a bit extra. 

To follow it in ultra high-definition 4K, you'll need to pay a little more: you'll need a Sky Q set-top box and a package that includes both Ultra HD and Sky Sports F1. In total, that'd come to £45 a month, plus a £20 one-off payment if you're not an existing subscriber.

A far cheaper option is to buy a Now Sports Pass. This will give you all 11 of the Sky Sports channels for a limited time, with pricing starting at £9.99 for a Day Pass and £33.99 for one month. There's no 4K available here though.

Again, if you're usually based in the U.K. but are elsewhere at the moment, you can still watch the services you subscribe to by using one of the best VPN services.

How to watch the F1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix live stream in Canada

Canadian flag

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TSN airs all Formula 1 races in Canada in English, while RDS has coverage in French. F1 TV Pro also remains an option for fans looking for an F1 live stream. 

All sessions are broadcast on TSN, and if you receive the network through your cable or satellite provider, you can use TSN Go by signing in with your TV service credentials. Cord-cutters will want to check out TSN Direct, which comes in day- and month-long passes for $8 or $20 CAD, respectively. The TSN app will allow you to live stream the race from your phone, streaming box or supported device.

Not actually in Canada at the moment? ExpressVPN and other VPN services can help you access the services you already subscribe to.

How to watch the F1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix live stream in Australia

Australian flag

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Fox Sports has the rights to the F1 live streams in Australia, which means you can watch the 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix online via Foxtel

Kayo Sports is another option. This service offers new subscribers a 14-day free trial, while one-month subscriptions start at $25. 

You can also use one of the best VPN services to follow the action from your home country even when you're elsewhere.

F1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix live stream: Starting grid

Swipe to scroll horizontally

POS

DRIVER

CAR

1

Lewis Hamilton

Mercedes

2

Valtteri Bottas

Mercedes

3

Max Verstappen

Red Bull Racing Honda

4

Charles Leclerc

Ferrari

5

Sergio Perez

Red Bull Racing Honda

6

Pierre Gasly

Alphatauri Honda

7

Lando Norris

Mclaren Mercedes

8

Yuki Tsunoda

Alphatauri Honda

9

Esteban Ocon

Alpine Renault

10

Antonio Giovinazzi

Alfa Romeo Racing Ferrari

11

Daniel Ricciardo

Mclaren Mercedes

12

Kimi Räikkönen

Alfa Romeo Racing Ferrari

13

Fernando Alonso

Alpine Renault

14

George Russell

Williams Mercedes

15

Carlos Sainz

Ferrari

16

Nicholas Latifi

Williams Mercedes

17

Sebastian Vettel

Aston Martin Mercedes

18

Lance Stroll

Aston Martin Mercedes

19

Mick Schumacher

Haas Ferrari

20

Nikita Mazepin

Haas Ferrari

F1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix live stream: Practice, qualifying and race weekend schedule

Max Verstappen of Red Bull

(Image credit: Red Bull / Getty)

The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix weekend started on Friday (Dec. 3) with practice 1 and 2. Third practice and qualifying were on Saturday, and the race is today (Sunday, Dec. 5).

Friday, December 3

  • Practice 1: 8.30 a.m. – 9.30 a.m. ET (5.30 a.m. – 6.30 a.m PT / 1.30 p.m. – 2.30 p.m. GMT)
  • Practice 2: 12 p.m. – 1 p.m. ET (9 a.m. – 10 a.m PT / 5 p.m. – 6 p.m. GMT)

Saturday, December 4

  • Practice 3: 9 a.m. – 10 a.m. ET (6 a.m. – 7 a.m PT / 2 p.m. – 3 p.m. GMT)
  • Qualifying: 12 p.m. – 1 p.m. ET (9 a.m. – 10 a.m PT / 5 p.m. – 6 p.m. GMT)

Sunday, December 5

Race: 12.30 p.m. – 2.30 p.m. ET (9.30 a.m. – 11.30 a.m PT / 5.30 p.m. – 7.30 p.m. GMT)

F1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix — current driver standings

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POS

DRIVER

NATIONALITY

CAR

PTS

1Max VerstappenNEDRED BULL RACING HONDA351.5
2Lewis HamiltonGBRMERCEDES343.5
3Valtteri BottasFINMERCEDES203
4Sergio PerezMEXRED BULL RACING HONDA190
5Lando NorrisGBRMCLAREN MERCEDES153
6Charles LeclercMONFERRARI152
7Carlos SainzESPFERRARI145.5
8Daniel RicciardoAUSMCLAREN MERCEDES105
9Pierre GaslyFRAALPHATAURI HONDA92
10Fernando AlonsoESPALPINE RENAULT77
11Esteban OconFRAALPINE RENAULT60
12Sebastian Vettel

GER

ASTON MARTIN MERCEDES

43
13Lance StrollCANASTON MARTIN MERCEDES34
14Yuki TsunodaJPNALPHATAURI HONDA20
15George RussellGBRWILLIAMS MERCEDES16
16Kimi RaikkonenFINALFA ROMEO RACING FERRARI10
17Nicholas LatifiCANWILLIAMS MERCEDES7
18Antonio GiovinazziITAALFA ROMEO RACING FERRARI1
19Mick SchumacherGERHAAS FERRARI

0

20Nikita MazepinRAFHAAS FERRARI0
21Robert KubicaPOLALFA ROMEO RACING FERRARI0

F1 2021 car and driver line-ups

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Team

Driver 1

Driver 2

Alfa Romeo

Kimi Raikkonen (7)

Antonio Giovinazzi (99)

Alpha Tauri

Pierre Gasly (10)

Yuki Tsunoda (22)

Alpine

Fernando Alonso (14)

Esteban Ocon (31)

Aston Martin

Sebastian Vettel (5)

Lance Stroll (18)

Ferrari

Charles Leclerc (16)

Carlos Sainz (55)

Haas

Nikita Mazepin (9)

Mick Schumacher (47)

McLaren

Daniel Ricciardo (3)

Lando Norris (4)

Mercedes

Lewis Hamilton (44)

Valtteri Bottas (77)

Red Bull

Max Verstappen (33)

Sergio Perez (11)

Williams

George Russell (63)

Nicholas Latifi (6)

Full 2021 F1 calendar

Swipe to scroll horizontally

DATE

GRAND PRIX

CIRCUIT

COUNTRY

26-28 March

Bahrain Grand Prix

Bahrain International Circuit

Bahrain

16-18 April

Emilia Romagna Grand Prix

Autodromo Imola

Italy

30 April 2 May

Portuguese Grand Prix

Portimão Circuit

Portugal

7-9 May

Spanish Grand Prix

Catalunya Circuit

Spain

20-23 May

Monaco Grand Prix

Monaco Circuit

Monte Carlo

4-6 June

Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Baku street circuit

Azerbaijan

18-20 June

French Grand Prix

Circuit Paul Ricard

France

25-27 June

Styrian Grand PrixRed Bull Ring

Austria

2-4 July

Austrian Grand Prix

Red Bull Ring

Austria

16-18 July

British Grand Prix

Silverstone Circuit

Great Britain

30 July - 1 Aug

Hungarian Grand Prix

Hungaroring

Hungary

27-29 Aug

Belgian Grand Prix

Spa-Francorchamps Circuit

Belgium

3-5 Sept

Dutch Grand Prix

Circuit Zandvoort

Netherlands

10-12 Sept

Italian Grand Prix

Autodromo Nazionale Monza

Italy

24-26 SeptRussian Grand PrixSochi International Street Circuit

Russia

8-10 OctTurkish Grand PrixIntercity Instanbul ParkTurkey

22-24 Oct

US Grand Prix

Circuit of The Americas

United States

5-7 OctMexico Grand Prix

Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez

Mexico

12-14 Nov

Brazilian Grand Prix

Autodromo Interlagos

Brazil

19-21 Nov

QatarDohaTBC
3-5 Dec

Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

Jeddah

Saudi Arabia

10-12 Dec

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Yas Marina Circuit

UAE

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Marc McLaren

Formerly Editor in Chief (U.K.) on Tom’s Guide, Marc oversaw all gaming, streaming, audio, TV, entertainment, how-to and cameras coverage, and was also responsible for the site’s U.K.-focused output. He is now U.K. Editor in Chief on TechRadar. Marc previously edited the tech website Stuff and has tested and written about phones, tablets, wearables, streaming boxes, smart home devices, Bluetooth speakers, headphones, games, TVs, cameras and much more. He also spent years on a music magazine, where his duties mainly involved spoiling other people’s fun, and on a car magazine. An avid photographer, he likes nothing better than taking pictures of very small things (bugs, his daughters) or very big things (distant galaxies). When he gets time, he also enjoys gaming (console and mobile), cycling and attempting to watch as much sport as any human can. He's also fallen in love with Wordle over the past six months and is the author of our today's Wordle answer column, in which he supplies hints and strategy tips for the mega-popular word game. Given he's completed every single Wordle so far and only lost once, and analyzed every Wordle answer in search of patterns, he's well qualified to help you safeguard your streak.