Apple will stream the upcoming Austrian Grand Prix completely free on its TV app in the United States, marking the first time a Formula 1 race weekend bypasses the subscription requirement. While most F1 content on Apple TV typically sits behind a paywall, the company promised select events would be freely accessible when it originally secured the broadcasting rights.

The free access covers both Saturday qualifying and Sunday's race, expanding beyond the usual free practice sessions. Viewers need only download the Apple TV app on compatible devices including smart TVs, streaming sticks, gaming consoles, or visit tv.apple.com directly. This approach gives cord-cutters and casual fans an easy path to watch without committing to a subscription service.

Apple hasn't released specific viewership numbers, but indicated that F1 streams are performing better than comparable ESPN broadcasts from last season. The strategy appears designed to build awareness for both the sport and Apple's emerging sports platform amid competition from traditional broadcasters and streaming rivals.

The Austrian GP runs June 26-28 with practice sessions Friday and Saturday morning, qualifying Saturday at 10 a.m. ET, and the main race Sunday at 9 a.m. ET. This free weekend represents Apple's most aggressive push yet to establish Formula 1 as appointment viewing on its platform.