If you are an F1 fan, then you know that BBC offers the best online coverage. The only problem is that BBC iPlayer is not accessible from the outside UK. The good news is that there are ways to bypass the filters and watch Formula One live online from everywhere in the world.
1. Free VPN Services
One method to access BBC iPlayer from the outside UK is to use a VPN service that provides UK IP addresses. Unfortunately, there are not many UK VPN services that are free. One of them is TheFreeVPN [No longer available]. You could also get a free UK VPN from HideIpVPN.
2. Commercial VPN Services
There are plenty of commercial UK VPN services that will enable BBC iPlayer in every corner of the world. Here are several that I have tried and that offer good speed and reasonable prices:
3. Using Tor
Another option is by using Tor. The advantage of this option is that it is free, the disadvantage that you can never be sure what you get. It might work or not.
Here is a complete tutorial on how to watch Formula One live online using Tor [via HubPages.com]:
1. Download and install the latest version of Firefox.
2. Open Firefox, use Firefox to visit and install the Flash plugin for Firefox.
3. Visit the Tor Project.
4. Download and install the “Installation Bundle,” which includes Tor, Privoxy, Vidalia, and Firefox Plugin. (Direct download.)
5. Restart Firefox, you should now see a Tor Disabled in red at the bottom right corner of Firefox.
6. Open the Tor config file by clicking: Start Button -> Programs -> Vidalia Bundle -> Tor -> Torrc
7. Once the Torrc text file is opened, add the following at the end of the file:
StrictExitNodes 1
ExitNodes {gb}
8. Save the file then close it.
9. Start (or close it and restart if it’s already running) the Vidalia program at Start Button -> Programs -> Vidalia Bundle -> Vidalia, look at the onion icon near your clock, wait for the icon to switch from yellow to green.
10. Go back to Firefox, right click on the Tor Disabled text located at the bottom right corner of Firefox, then click Preferences.
11. A window name Torbutton Preferences will pop up, click on the Security Settings tab
12. Untick the Disable plugins during Tor usage box (You need this unticked to use Flash under Tor).
13. Next, click OK to close the Torbutton Preferences window.
14. Click once on the Tor Disabled text at the bottom right corner of Firefox; it will turn green and become Tor Enabled.
15. At this point, all the connections you make in Firefox will go through the tor network. (and automatically uses a UK IP as the last exit point because that’s what you put in the config earlier)
16. Finally, visit BBC’s iPlayer site and enjoy the show.
Important Notes:
Your connection will be much slower than usual. If it lags way too much (over 20 seconds) or it shows errors when browsing through Tor, that means you’re on a slow or broken circuit; you can switch to another circuit by:
1. Double click on the onion icon near your clock.
2. The “Vidalia Control Panel” pops up, click the Use a New Identity button.
3. Visit the BBC iPlayer site again.
4. Repeat the above if necessary.
The Tor method doesnt seem to work anymore. Error “This content doesnt seem to be working. Try again later”
any solutions?
but still, i can’t get through…the page keeps telling me – You need to install Flash to play Formula 1…i install the flash…and still get this message.
suggestions?
@tommijs –
Same here, I am flipping out! Stupid intellectual properties!
Indeed, the best option to watch f1 online is by using a vpn service. it unblocks plenty of streaming channels.