Im watching the Azerbaijan GP for free this weekend, how to live stream F1 for free

Kimi Antonelli’s name is already echoing through the paddock as he leads the 2026 F1 standings. The Italian’s dramatic win in Spain has put him a comfortable distance ahead of teammate George Russell, and the Azerbaijan Grand Prix is the next test of whether that lead can be maintained. For fans who want to watch the Baku City Circuit action without paying, a free streaming route has emerged that hinges on a seven‑day Apple TV+ trial available through Amazon Prime Video Channels.

Amazon Prime Video Channels now offers a seven‑day free trial of Apple TV+ for U.S. Viewers. Apple holds the exclusive U.S. Broadcast rights to Formula One, and the trial unlocks select races, including the Azerbaijan GP. After the trial, the channel subscription renews at $12.99 per month, but subscribers can cancel before the first billing cycle to keep the weekend free. For those without an active Prime membership, Amazon provides a 30‑day free trial for new users, allowing a double‑stacked free period that covers the entire race weekend.

The Azerbaijan GP is the 15th race of the 2026 season. The full timetable at the Baku City Circuit is:

• Practice 1: 4:30‑5:30 a.m. ET, 24 Sept
• Practice 2: 8‑9 a.m. ET, 24 Sept
• Practice 3: 4:30‑5:30 a.m. ET, 25 Sept
• Qualifying: 8‑9 a.m. ET, 25 Sept
• Race: 7 a.m. ET, 26 Sept

These early‑morning times mean that viewers will need to be up at the crack of dawn to catch the action live. The schedule also underscores how F1’s global audience is increasingly dispersed, with broadcasts timed to accommodate multiple time zones.

The move to stream F1 via Apple TV+ reflects a larger industry trend: traditional broadcast rights are being renegotiated in favour of digital platforms. Apple’s partnership with the FIA signals a shift toward on‑demand, subscription‑based viewing that caters to younger audiences who prefer to watch content on mobile devices or smart TVs. For F1, this strategy expands reach beyond the limits of cable packages, especially in markets where streaming services are already entrenched.

If this model proves successful, we can expect more F1 events to be made available through similar streaming trials. For fans, the implication is clear: to stay current without shelling out for cable, one must navigate a maze of free trials and subscription bundles. For the sport, the challenge will be to balance revenue from exclusive digital rights with the need to maintain a broad, global fan base.

In the coming months, I anticipate that other streaming giantsNetflix, Disney+, and Amazon Primewill negotiate their own deals with the FIA. This could fragment the viewing experience but also increase accessibility. As a journalist who has followed the evolution of African media for over a decade, I see this as a natural progression: content moves to where audiences are, and the old gatekeepers must adapt or lose relevance.

The Azerbaijan GP will be a litmus test for this new model. Fans who hop onto the Prime Video app and activate the Apple TV+ trial will experience a seamless, cost‑free viewing experience, but only if they act before the trial expires. For those who miss the window, the race will still be available through other paid channels, underscoring the persistent premium on live sports. The next step for F1 will be to decide whether to lock more content behind paywalls or to embrace the streaming wave that is reshaping global entertainment.