Canal+ remains the only official broadcaster of Formula 1 in France for the 2026 season. All sessions, from free practice to the Sunday race, are aired through its channels. However, this exclusivity does not mean that there is no room for maneuver to access the Grands Prix without a traditional subscription.
Distribution of F1 sessions across Canal+ channels
The exclusivity of Canal+ is not limited to a single video stream. The weekend sessions are spread across several channels of the group: Canal+ Sport broadcasts free practice and qualifying, while the main race is usually scheduled on the main Canal+ channel. Pre-race and post-race shows may also migrate to a third channel depending on the weekend schedule.
This fragmentation requires checking the schedule of each Grand Prix individually. Assuming that the same channel covers the entire weekend is a common mistake: the programming varies according to the time zones of the circuits and the editorial choices of the group.
To know precisely the channels to follow the F1 Grand Prix race by race, it is better to consult the detailed schedule updated for each round of the calendar.
SPORT+ and the free window: what Canal+ really offers without a subscription
Canal+ has launched SPORT+, a free app that broadcasts certain sporting events live. The Singapore Grand Prix served as the first test for Formula 1 on this platform, with the full race accessible without a subscription.
This free access remains selective and does not cover the entire championship. Only certain Grands Prix are selected for free broadcasting on SPORT+. Free practice, qualifying, and sprint races are not systematically included, even when a GP is offered for free.
We recommend keeping an eye on announcements from the Canal+ group before each round, as the list of free GPs is not published at the start of the season in the form of a complete calendar. Free access operates on registration in the app, with no commitment or credit card required.
What SPORT+ does not replace
The app does not provide access to multiview or real-time technical data. For viewers who follow sector times or tire strategies live, a Canal+ subscription or the F1 TV Pro platform remains the only options with these integrated features.
Free French-speaking alternatives: RTBF, RTS and their geographical restrictions
In Belgium, RTBF broadcasts qualifying and the race on Tipik and via the Auvio platform. In Switzerland, RTS 2 and Play RTS also cover the GPs live and in French. These two options are completely free for residents of these countries.
The geographical blocking is strict. Auvio and Play RTS streams check the user’s IP address and deny connections from France. Some internet users bypass this restriction using a VPN, but this practice falls into a gray area regarding the terms of use of these platforms.
- RTBF Auvio: live qualifying and race, available only from Belgium, no subscription required
- RTS Play: live qualifying and race from Switzerland, free, interface in French
- Canal+ / SPORT+: only legal broadcaster in France, with occasional free windows for certain GPs
No French free-to-air channel broadcasts F1 this season. Neither TF1, nor France Télévisions, nor M6 hold partial or occasional rights to the championship.
F1 TV Pro: Formula 1’s direct offer and its limitations in France
The FOM (Formula One Management) markets its own streaming platform, F1 TV Pro. It offers all GPs live with multiple camera angles, team radios, and a multiview system allowing viewers to follow several drivers simultaneously.
F1 TV Pro is not available for purchase in France due to the exclusivity granted to Canal+. French subscribers who wish to access it must create an account in a country where the service is marketed, which again involves using a VPN.
Technical features of F1 TV
For data enthusiasts, F1 TV stands out with access to simplified telemetry, real-time rankings, and the complete archives since the 1980s. The recently enhanced multiview mode allows displaying up to four simultaneous streams on the same screen.
These features have no equivalent at Canal+, whose stream remains a traditional television signal with commentary and global FOM production.
F1 2026 Calendar: adapting your monitoring to variable schedules
The season calendar includes more than twenty rounds spread across all continents. Race times vary significantly: a GP in the Asia-Pacific region runs in the morning French time, while a round in the Americas starts in the late afternoon or evening.
- Races in Asia and Oceania: start generally between 7 AM and 9 AM (Paris time)
- Races in Europe and the Middle East: start between 2 PM and 4 PM
- Races in the Americas: start between 7 PM and 10 PM
These time slots directly influence the Canal+ channel used. A morning GP may be broadcast on Canal+ Sport rather than the main channel, which retains its cinema or entertainment schedule during these slots.
The full replay is available on MyCanal in the hours following each race, a solution for those who cannot wake up at dawn for the Asian rounds. Access to the replay requires an active subscription that includes the Sport pack.
