Formula 1 is broadcast in France by a single audiovisual group holding exclusive rights. To follow the F1 Grands Prix on television in 2024, it is essential to understand how the sessions are distributed among the various channels of the Canal+ bouquet, and at what times to tune in according to the circuit’s time zone.
Distribution of sessions between Canal+ and Canal+ Sport
Canal+ holds the exclusivity of F1 broadcasting in France, with rights extended until 2029. All races, qualifying sessions, and free practice sessions of the season are covered by the group.
The subtlety that escapes many viewers concerns the distribution among the bouquet’s channels. The Sunday race is generally broadcast on Canal+, the main channel. Free practice and qualifying sessions, on the other hand, are often relegated to Canal+ Sport, or even to supplementary channels accessible only with a more comprehensive package.
In practical terms, a basic subscription to Canal+ allows viewers to watch the majority of the Grands Prix on Sunday. To follow an entire race weekend (free practice on Friday, qualifying on Saturday, race on Sunday), it is necessary to check that the subscribed package includes Canal+ Sport. This distinction is detailed on the F1 page on Oka Mag, which summarizes the channels associated with each session.
F1 Grand Prix times according to time zones
The 2024 season includes 24 Grands Prix spread across all continents. Therefore, broadcasting times in France vary significantly from one weekend to another.
For European races (Monaco, Spain, Emilia-Romagna), the start is set in the early afternoon, usually around 3 PM French time. The Grands Prix in the Middle East (Bahrain, Azerbaijan) take place in the late afternoon or early evening, which places the French broadcast between 2 PM and 5 PM depending on the case.
Asian and Oceanian races significantly shift the times. The Japanese Grand Prix or the Australian Grand Prix involve an early morning start in France, sometimes as early as 7 AM or 8 AM. Conversely, American races (Miami, Austin, Las Vegas) occur in the evening, even late at night for Las Vegas.
The weekend of the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix illustrates another variable: some Grands Prix are held on Saturday instead of Sunday. This unusual format disrupts habits and requires checking the exact schedule each week.
Sessions not to be confused
A standard F1 weekend includes three types of sessions, each with its own broadcasting times:
- Free practice (Friday, sometimes Saturday) serves teams to set up the car. They are broadcast on Canal+ Sport and last one hour each.
- Qualifying (Saturday) determines the starting order of the race. It consists of three phases (Q1, Q2, Q3) and lasts about one hour in total.
- The race (Sunday, sometimes Saturday) is the main event. Its duration depends on the circuit, but it rarely exceeds two hours.
During some weekends, a sprint race is added to the program. This shortened format (about thirty laps) takes place on Saturday and alters the organization of qualifying.
Expert mode and 4K on Canal+: what the subscription really changes
Beyond the standard TV feed, Canal+ offers additional features through its app and digital packages. An expert mode provides access to onboard cameras, live timing, and real-time race data. This layer of information transforms the viewing experience for enthusiasts who want to follow tire strategies or lap differences.
The 4K broadcast, often highlighted in commercial offers, depends on specific technical conditions. The subscription alone is not enough: one must also have a compatible decoder, a 4K television, and a sufficiently fast internet connection. Without these three elements combined, the feed remains in standard HD.
Which Canal+ offer to choose for F1
The choice depends on the desired level of follow-up. Three scenarios emerge:
- To watch only the Sunday races, the basic Canal+ offer covers most Grands Prix on the main channel.
- To follow the entire weekend (practice, qualifying, race, sprint), a package including Canal+ Sport is necessary.
- To access expert mode, onboard cameras, and 4K (subject to compatible equipment), higher-tier offers like Canal+ Sport or Canal+ La Totale are required.
No legal free alternative allows viewing the entire season. Canal+ is required to offer a few free-to-air events each season, but their number remains limited and varies from year to year.
Alternatives to French television for following F1
The F1 TV Pro service, offered directly by Formula 1, provides streaming access to all sessions with multilingual commentary and additional onboard feeds. This service is not available in France due to the exclusivity held by Canal+.
In other European countries, some free channels broadcast Grands Prix. These feeds are only accessible from France with a VPN, a practice that raises legal questions regarding territorial broadcasting rights.
Illegal streaming remains a false good idea: degraded image quality, frequent interruptions during the race, and legal risks. For a season of 24 Grands Prix stretched over ten months, the reliability of the feed is as important as its price.
With Canal+’s exclusive rights running until 2029, this configuration is unlikely to change for several seasons. The choice thus boils down to selecting the appropriate Canal+ offer for one’s level of follow-up, while checking technical compatibility for 4K if that criterion matters.
