How to Watch F1 for Free After YouTube TV Loses ESPN and ABC

YouTube TV's dispute with Disney has left many F1 fans without access to ESPN and ABC just before the São Paulo Grand Prix in Brazil. While renewal talks are ongoing with no firm date set, there are several legal alternatives for viewers to catch the race, which starts Sunday, November 9, at 11:55 AM ET on ESPN2.

Why it matters:

The sudden loss of major sports broadcasting channels like ESPN and ABC on a popular streaming platform like YouTube TV highlights the growing complexities of content distribution. For F1 fans, it means an urgent need to find alternative viewing methods to ensure they don't miss crucial races, especially as the championship battle intensifies.

The details:

• Free Trials for Live TV Apps: Several streaming services offer free trials and carry ESPN2.
  • Fubo: Provides ESPN2 and a free trial. Users can sign up, watch the race, and then cancel.
  • Sling TV (Orange): Includes ESPN/ESPN2 and often has introductory offers or day-pass style promotions for short-term access.
  • Hulu + Live TV: Carries ESPN networks in its live TV lineup with varying free trial availability.
  • DIRECTV (streaming): Lists ESPN/ESPN2 in its packages, some with promotional trials.
• ESPN Direct Streaming: ESPN's direct-to-consumer service, launched in August 2025, offers plans like ESPN Unlimited. These plans stream ESPN's linear channels directly through the ESPN app without requiring a cable subscription. Viewers should ensure their chosen plan includes ESPN2.
• F1's Official Platform, F1TV: F1TV Pro provides comprehensive coverage of every session, including live onboard cameras, real-time timing data, and replays. It is accessible across various devices, such as web browsers, Apple TV, Google/Android TV, Fire TV, and Roku.
• Over-the-Air for ABC: Although this weekend's Brazil Grand Prix isn't on ABC, future F1 races may be. An indoor antenna can receive ABC broadcasts for free over the air, or other live TV apps that include ABC can be used.

What's next:

As carriage disputes become more common, F1 fans are increasingly exploring diverse options to access live races. The incident with YouTube TV serves as a reminder for viewers to be aware of various legal streaming platforms and direct-to-consumer services to avoid interruptions in their F1 experience. Fans should also stay updated on the status of the Disney-YouTube TV negotiations.