The first FIA world Touring Car Cup (WTCR) race of each event will be broadcast online for free in order to attract a younger audience and new race fans, it has been announced.

The new rules introduced for 2018 mean that every race weekend will feature an additional qualifying session and race when compared to the WTCC which WTCR replaces.

Eurosport Events has partnered with online car parts specialist OSCARO to deliver the content, and in key OSCARO markets Belgium, France, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland and the USA the first qualifying session and race will be shown live at www.oscaro.com.

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Territories which have their own broadcast arrangements – Latin America, Japan, Hungary, Middle East and North Africa and Morocco, will continue with the current arrangements.

In the rest of the world, race fans will be able to watch the action live on Facebook in a bid to attract a new and younger audience.

Additionally, both of Saturday’s free practice sessions will be broadcast live on social media with no restrictions.

On Sunday, Eurosport will continue to broadcast both races and the normal three-segment qualifying session.

“We have decided in Europe not to go live on Saturday on Eurosport,” said Eurosport Events’ François Ribeiro. “The world is changing, and we wanted to try things differently.

“In the countries where OSCARO is strong, we will give them the possibility to broadcast qualifying and the Saturday race live on a free basis on their website.

“Outside OSCARO’s territory we will go live on social media – Facebook and Twitter etc. We are convinced that it’s good to take that route to test and enlarge our fanbase and reach new fans, to give them a better experience.

“We know that in order to be strong with Facebook and Twitter you need to bring valuable live content.”

The WTCR kicks off in Morocco this weekend (7 – 8 April).