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Formula 1 has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. As a child, I would wake up early on Sundays to watch the races with my family.

That ritual of turning on the TV, hearing the excited narrator shout “Ayrton Senna of Brazil!” and feeling the adrenaline even while sitting on the sofa.

My fascination with the sport began there: I was hypnotized by the mix of speed, technique and unpredictability that only F1 provides.

Over the years, this fascination only grew. I collected model cars, memorized the names of drivers and circuits, and began to follow each season with devotion.

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More than just a weekend hobby, F1 has become a personal passion – something that connects me to childhood memories and at the same time excites me with each new race.

What attracts me most to this sport is the combination of emotion and engineering.

On the one hand, there is the human drama: legendary rivalries, historic victories and epoch-making tragedies.

On the other hand, there is the technical side – those incredible cars, true high-performance machines, the result of cutting-edge technology.

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I found myself studying regulations, learning about aerodynamics, and even taking strategic guesses during races (“Is it worth changing the tires now?”).

Being a Formula 1 fan means diving headfirst into a universe where every detail counts.

And my journey as a fan transformed me: from a casual spectator I became almost an “armchair expert”, always wanting to know more and feel up close the emotion that the category provides.

The History of Formula 1

To understand my passion, I also deepened my knowledge of the history of Formula 1, a chapter in itself that is so rich.

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The category was officially created in 1950 by the FIA, and the first race valid for the world championship took place on May 13, 1950, at the Silverstone circuit in England.

Over the following decades, F1 produced iconic moments and unforgettable heroes.

In the 1960s, we had the British era, with drivers like Jim Clark and Jackie Stewart dominating the tracks.

The 1970s brought technical innovations (cars with ground effect aerodynamics, powerful turbo engines) and fierce rivalries like that between James Hunt and Niki Lauda, a duel so dramatic that it was even made into a film.

It was also in the 70s that Brazil entered the F1 map once and for all: Emerson Fittipaldi won, in 1972, the first world title for a Brazilian, paving the way for the national passion for the sport.

In the 1980s, the category was marked by the brilliance of Ayrton Senna – an extraordinary driver who won three world championships and starred in epic duels with Alain Prost, his great rival.

Then came the 1990s and 2000s, when a German named Michael Schumacher rewrote the record books.

Driving Ferrari, Schumacher accumulated seven world titles, surpassing records that seemed insurmountable.

His dominance in the early 2000s was such that he became synonymous with F1 excellence.

As a fan, I love reminiscing about these historical moments – whether it’s watching old videos or reading articles – because they give even more weight and context to my current passion.

Where to Watch F1 Live

With so much action happening on the tracks, it's only natural that every fan wants to know: where can I watch Formula 1 races live, in the best possible way?

Fortunately, today there are several platforms and applications that broadcast races in high quality.

I will list here some of the best options (and those that I myself use or know of), with comments on availability, quality and cost:

F1 TV Pro (Official Formula 1 Streaming)

It is the official streaming service for the category, available in several countries, including Brazil and Portugal.

Through the F1 TV app or website, you can watch all live sessions (practice, qualifying and race) without commercials, with the option of multiple cameras (onboards of all cars, for example) and access to real-time data.

This is a subscription service: it currently costs around $5.19 per month or $39.99 per year for full live coverage.

For the hardcore fan, F1 TV Pro is well worth it for its exclusive features – I personally love watching replays of old races that are available on-demand there, and checking out the onboard cameras to get a closer look at the racing.

TV Band (Band live – Brazil)

In Brazil, the broadcaster Band (TV Bandeirantes) broadcasts Formula 1 races live on open TV, with narration and commentary in Portuguese.

It's a great option for those who prefer the traditional TV experience, without any costs beyond the television set or antenna itself.

Band's HD quality is good and the excitement of the Brazilian broadcast remains strong, with vibrant narrators and commentators.

Band normally broadcasts qualifying sessions and races on open TV, while free practice sessions can be broadcast on the closed channel Bandsports or online.

Bandsports (Pay TV – Brazil)

The Bandsports channel, which belongs to the same group as Band, broadcasts F1 content to cable or satellite TV subscribers.

Generally, Bandsports broadcasts all free practice sessions live, as well as reruns and special programs about Formula 1.

To access it, you must subscribe to a pay TV package that includes the channel, or use your operator's streaming service (such as NOW, DirecTV Go, Oi Play, etc.) if available.

DAZN (Portugal)

For Portuguese-speaking fans outside of Brazil, it is worth mentioning the case of Portugal.

There, the broadcasting rights currently belong to the platform. DAZN, a subscription sports streaming service.

Formula 1 GPs are shown live with commentary in Portuguese from Portugal. DAZN requires a monthly subscription, and offers not only F1 but several other sports.

In short, today it is much easier no lose a Formula 1 race.

Whether on traditional TV or streaming apps, there is always a way to see those overtaking and disputes in real time, wherever you are.

In my routine, I usually do the following: when I'm at home, I watch it on TV or on F1 TV on my smart TV; if I'm out, I open the app on my cell phone.

The important thing is to be connected when the lights go out at the start!