MBC Group has seized the rights to the FIA Formula One races. The broadcaster will provide F1 racing free-to-air.

The deal gives MBC five-year exclusive rights to air the races, starting last Friday with live reporting of the Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.

MBC declared in a statement, “This marks the return of the world’s biggest Motorsport event to a free-to-air network in the MENA region, following years of being available on subscription-only networks.”

The Formula One World Championship is the highest class of single-seater auto racing controlled by the FIA, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile.

MBC will broadcast all phases of the competition, as well as training sessions, qualifiers and the Grand Prix finale day.

Special technical and logistical provisions have been set to cover the Formula One competition from March 15 to 17 for regional fans, MBC specified.

After the Melbourne championship, the event is back to the Middle East for the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2019 from 29 to 31 March. The final tournament of the season, the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2019 will take from 29 November to 1 December.