The Canadian Grand Prix is coming up — and if you’re looking to watch F1 in full HD for free, a VPN is the key. Although ServusTV, SRF, and RTL will broadcast the 2025 Canada GP live, only viewers in Austria and Switzerland get full HD streaming for free. Luckily, with a reliable VPN, you can unlock these geo-restricted HD streams from anywhere — including Germany, the U.S., or the UK.
Best VPNs for Streaming F1 in HD
To stream all F1 sessions — practice, qualifying, and the race — in uninterrupted high definition, we recommend two top-tier VPNs:
- Surfshark: Excellent for accessing ServusTV or SRF on unlimited devices. Its blazing speeds and clean interface make it ideal for Formula 1 fans who don’t want to miss a single lap.
- NordVPN: Built for speed and streaming. With thousands of servers and SmartPlay tech, NordVPN makes it effortless to bypass regional restrictions and watch the Canadian GP live in HD.
Both VPNs offer military-grade encryption, zero-logs policies, and the ability to access free HD sports coverage, even if it’s blocked in your location.
F1 Fans, Take Note: The Action is Back
Formula 1 is back at full throttle. On Sunday, June 15, 2025, the Canadian Grand Prix will take place in Montreal.
In Germany, the complete Formula 1 season is available exclusively via a paid subscription to Sky. RTL broadcasts only a few races and qualifying sessions on free-to-air TV — including the Grand Prix in Montreal. However, RTL only airs the race in SD quality.
In contrast, fans in Austria and Switzerland can enjoy the entire race weekend free in HD via live TV and stream on ServusTV and SRF. Both channels broadcast the qualifying session and Sunday’s race live. ServusTV in Austria also shows all three practice sessions.
With a VPN service, you can also access the HD streams from both channels for free in Germany. COMPUTER BILD shows you how.
F1 Canada GP Live on ServusTV, SRF, and RTL
Here are the detailed times for the 2025 Canadian GP in Montreal and which broadcasters will air the F1 sessions. All times listed are in German local time.
Friday, June 13, 2025
- Free Practice 1: 7:30 PM (ServusTV)
- Free Practice 2: 11:00 PM (ServusTV)
Saturday, June 14, 2025
- Free Practice 3: 6:30 PM (ServusTV)
- Qualifying: 10:00 PM (ServusTV, SRF)
Sunday, June 15, 2025
- Canadian Grand Prix – Race: 8:00 PM (ServusTV, SRF, RTL)
Canadian GP – High Speeds and Heavy Braking
The Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve puts both engine and brakes to the test: four zones where speeds top 300 km/h, 60% full-throttle driving, and extremely tight braking zones.
Is RTL Showing the Canadian GP for Free?
Yes, RTL will broadcast the Formula 1 race from Montreal live on free TV in Germany. However, RTL will not show Saturday’s qualifying — only the race on Sunday.
One key restriction: RTL airs Formula 1 only in SD quality and with commercial breaks. If you want to watch F1 in HD via RTL, you’ll need to subscribe to the paid streaming platform RTL+.
These Are the Seven F1 Races RTL Will Air for Free in 2025:
- March 23, 2025: Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai
- May 18, 2025: Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix in Imola
- June 1, 2025: Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona
- June 15, 2025: Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal
- July 27, 2025: Belgian Grand Prix in Spa-Francorchamps
- August 31, 2025: Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort
- November 23, 2025: Las Vegas Grand Prix
In addition to these seven Grands Prix, RTL will broadcast the sprint race in Spa live on free TV and 11 qualifying sessions throughout the season.
Watch Formula 1 in Canada for Free in HD With a VPN
In Austria, ServusTV broadcasts Formula 1 live in HD on TV and offers a free HD stream via ServusTV On. This includes the Canadian GP.
In Switzerland, F1 fans tune into SRF, which also streams the race and qualifying live in HD via the Play SRF media library. (Note: Free practice sessions are not shown on SRF.)
Both ServusTV and SRF allow replays of the sessions on demand. And with a VPN, these free HD streams can also be accessed in Germany.
Recommended VPN providers can be found in COMPUTER BILD’s VPN tests. There is also a full guide on how to watch F1 live for free using VPNs, including upcoming race schedules.
Formula 1 Live on Sky
Sky will also air the Canadian Grand Prix exclusively for paying customers via Sky Sport TV and on the WOW streaming service.
If you want to follow all 24 races of the 2025 F1 season, Sky’s Formula 1 package is your best bet. Sky broadcasts every training, qualifying, sprint, and race session live.
Canada GP: A Brutal Test for Brakes and Engines
Despite new “Flexi-Wing” regulations, the balance of power in Formula 1 has changed little. McLaren remains in control, followed closely by Red Bull, Ferrari, and Mercedes, depending on the weekend.
However, the Canadian GP could disrupt this hierarchy. With moderate temperatures forecast for race weekend in Montreal, performance shifts are expected.
This could especially benefit Mercedes, who tend to perform better under cooler conditions and are nearly on par with McLaren in such climates. But on a circuit like Gilles-Villeneuve, setup and strategy are equally critical.
Stop-and-Go: Precision Braking and Tire Management Key
The Montreal track is a classic stop-and-go circuit — drivers brake hard into tight corners before accelerating past 300 km/h into the next chicane. This brutal cycle places immense stress on both brakes and engines.
Good traction out of low-speed corners is essential to avoid time loss. Teams that strike the right balance in car setup — maximizing performance while minimizing tire wear — will be in contention for the podium.
Friday and Saturday’s practice sessions will offer the first clues as to which teams are in top form before the real battle unfolds during Saturday night’s qualifying.
Disclaimer
This article is for informational and educational purposes only. Accessing geographically restricted content using a VPN may violate the terms of service of certain streaming providers. Viewers are responsible for complying with all applicable local laws and the usage policies of the services they access.
We do not promote or encourage the circumvention of copyright or licensing restrictions. Always ensure that your use of VPN services aligns with legal and ethical standards in your country of residence.
