Im watching the Japanese GP for free this weekend — how to live stream F1 for free
TL;DR: Sign up for a 7-day free trial of Apple TV+ through Prime Video Channels to watch select F1 races live. Watch the Japanese GP for free with the Prime Video app.
Does anyone really know where we stand with this new season of F1. Some fans and drivers seem to like this new style of racing. Others think it's the end of the sport. Whichever camp you find yourself in, you can't deny that it has been entertaining to watch.
What has become clear after the first two races in Australia and China is that Mercedes is fast. After the opening race weekend, some people were already crowning George Russell as champion. Kimi Antonelli's stunning performance in China has made those early predictions look a little foolish. It's looking like we're going to get a real battle between the Mercedes teammates this season. Can anyone else compete? At this stage, it looks unlikely.
If you want to watch F1 2026 for free from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.
When is the Japanese GP?
The Japanese GP is the third race of the 2026 F1 season. Here's the full schedule from the Suzuka Circuit:
Practice 1 — 10:30-11:30 p.m. ET on March 26
Practice 2 — 2-3 a.m. ET on March 27
Practice 3 — 10:30-11:30 p.m. ET on March 27
Qualifying — 2-3 a.m. ET on March 28
Race — 1 a.m. ET on March 29
It's possible for fans to follow all the action from this race weekend without spending anything.
How to watch the Japanese GP for free
I'm a paid-up member of Amazon Prime. I subscribe for the fast shipping, exclusive Prime Day deals, and access to Prime Video. That Prime Video access is not something I usually care about greatly, but it's absolutely crucial for this season of F1.
It's now possible to sign up for a 7-day free trial of Apple TV+ through Prime Video Channels. F1 is now exclusive to Apple TV in the U.S., so by accessing this free trial, you can watch select races for free this season. The subscription usually costs £9.99 per month after the trial ends, but you can cancel at any time. That means you can watch the Japanese GP for free this weekend and then back out before needing to pay anything.
I already pay for Amazon Prime, so you could argue that I'm not really watching for free. I get that, but Amazon Prime does offer a 30-day free trial period if you're new to the service. By signing up for this free trial and then gaining access to Apple TV through Prime Video Channels, you can truly watch select races without spending anything.
If you've already used this method to watch the Australian GP or Chinese GP, I suggest you go direct to Apple TV. This popular steaming service comes with a 7-day free trial for new subscribers. Alternatively, Apple One bundles Apple TV with Apple Music, Apple Arcade, Apple Fitness Plus, Apple News Plus, and 50GB of iCloud Storage for $19.95 per month after a one-month free trial.
It's also worth noting that the best Apple TV free-trial offer comes with purchases of new Apple devices. New subscribers can get three months of Apple TV for free after purchasing any eligible Apple product. There are loads of live Apple deals in the Amazon Big Spring Sale, so this could be the best moment to upgrade.