Scheduling: The 2022 London E-Prix

Formula E returns to the ExCeL in London as the 2021-22 season speeds towards its conclusion!

With four races to go, Mercedes driver Stoffel Vandoorne holds an 11-point lead over Venturi’s Edoardo Mortara. Can Mortara close in on the Belgian, or will Vandoorne extend his lead before the double header season finale in Seoul?

As was the case last year, both races air live on Channel 4, the free-to-air broadcaster taking the World Feed output produced by Formula E.

While airing live on free-to-air should give Formula E an advantage over its competition, the bad news is that this weekend’s schedule is congested across the board.

Over on BBC One at the same time is live coverage of the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, which will undoubtedly take column inches and airtime away from the electric series in the build-up.

On the motor sport front, both Formula E races inexplicably clash directly with round 13 of the Formula 1 season from Hungary, as well as live British Touring Cars action on ITV.

The London races start at 15:00 UK time, while the F1 qualifying session starts at 15:00 on Saturday, with the race beginning at 14:00 on Sunday.

The Saturday clash could be avoided by moving the first race back to 16:00 local time, with the second race on Sunday moving to 13:00 local time.

The second race could start at 16:00 on Sunday, well inside the 18:30 curfew set by the local council. However, the race would then clash with the Euro 2022 football final which airs live on BBC One.

Whichever way you look at it, the situation is far from ideal for the electric series hoping to increase its UK fanbase after a turbulent time during the pandemic.

Channel 4’s scheduling – at a glance

10 races live on TV:

• 1 in January (Diriyah R2)
• 2 in April (Rome R2, Monaco)
• 1 in May (Berlin R1)
• 1 in June (Jakarta)
• 3 in July (Marrakesh, London R1, London R2)
• 2 in August (Seoul R1, Seoul R2)

6 races live on YouTube:

• 1 in January (Diriyah R1)
• 1 in February (Mexico City)
• 1 in April (Rome R1)
• 1 in May (Berlin R2)
• 2 in July (New York City R1, New York City R2)

The good news is that Formula E’s Channel 4 future is secure, the two parties having agreed a “multi-year” deal covering the end of Gen2 and the start of Gen3 which begins in 2023.

Jack Nicholls and Dario Franchitti lead Formula E’s commentary line-up, with Nicki Shields and Vernon Kay also expected to feature.

Friday 29th July
17:10 to 17:55 – Practice 1 (Channel 4 Sport’s YouTube)

Saturday 30th July
08:55 to 09:40 – Practice 2 (Channel 4 Sport’s YouTube)
10:30 to 12:15 – Qualifying (Channel 4 Sport’s YouTube)
14:30 to 16:30 – Race 1 (Channel 4)
=> also on Eurosport 2 from 15:00 to 16:35

Sunday 31st July
08:25 to 09:10 – Practice 3 (Channel 4 Sport’s YouTube)
10:30 to 12:15 – Qualifying (Channel 4 Sport’s YouTube)
14:30 to 16:30 – Race 2 (Channel 4)
=> also on Eurosport 2 from 15:00 to 16:35

Full scheduling details for the 2022 London E-Prix. Scheduling details correct as of Tuesday 26th July and are subject to change.

The FE/F1 clash means that Harry Benjamin steps into the 5 Live F1 commentary box, while Chris McCarthy steps up to the Formula 3 lead commentator role, substituting for Benjamin for the weekend.

The congested weekend does not stop there: as well as Formula 2 and Formula 3, the W Series also forms part of the F1 feeder card out in Hungary.

Live coverage of the British Touring Car Championship extends across ITV and ITV4 as part of a new agreement between series organisers and ITV for several events this season. David Addison steps back from the commentary box for this weekend, with Jonny Palmer stepping into the booth.

IndyCar is another victim to the scheduling clashes, with its race from Indianapolis playing out behind Sky Sports F1’s Red Button, however a full-length tape-delay airs later on Saturday evening.

All F1 sessions are available to listen live via BBC’s F1 website
Thursday 28th July
14:00 to 15:00 – F1: Drivers’ Press Conference (Sky Sports F1)

Friday 29th July
08:30 to 09:20 – F3: Practice (Sky Sports F1)
09:40 to 10:30 – F2: Practice (Sky Sports F1)
12:30 to 14:25 – F1: Practice 1 (Sky Sports F1)
14:25 to 15:05 – F3: Qualifying (Sky Sports F1)
15:45 to 17:25 – F1: Practice 2 (Sky Sports F1)
=> also BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra from 15:55 to 17:05
17:25 to 18:15 – F2: Qualifying (Sky Sports F1)
18:00 to 19:15 – IndyCar: Qualifying (Sky Sports Action and Sky Sports F1’s Red Button)
=> airs on tape-delay on Sky Sports F1 at 20:00
18:15 to 19:00 – W Series: Qualifying (Sky Sports F1)
19:00 to 20:00 – The F1 Show (Sky Sports F1)
21:30 to 22:00 – F1: Preview (BBC Radio 5 Live)

Saturday 30th July
09:55 to 10:50 – F3: Sprint Race (Sky Sports F1)
11:45 to 13:20 – F1: Practice 3 (Sky Sports F1)
13:20 to 14:30 – W Series: Race (Sky Sports F1)
14:30 to 16:55 – F1: Qualifying (Sky Sports F1 and Sky Sports Main Event)
=> also BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra from 14:55 to 16:05
16:55 to 18:00 – F2: Sprint Race (Sky Sports F1)
17:00 to 20:00 – IndyCar: Race (Sky Sports Sky Sports F1’s Red Button)
=> airs on tape-delay on Sky Sports F1 at 21:00
18:00 to 18:30 – Ted’s Qualifying Notebook (Sky Sports F1)
19:30 to 21:00 – F1: Qualifying Highlights (Channel 4)

Sunday 31st July
05:30 to 06:00 – F1: Qualifying Wrap-Up (BBC Radio 5 Live)
09:00 to 10:00 – F3: Feature Race (Sky Sports F1)
10:25 to 11:45 – F2: Feature Race (Sky Sports F1)
12:00 to 15:00 – BTCC: Races 1 and 2 (ITV)
12:30 to 17:30 – F1: Race (Sky Sports F1)
=> 12:30 – Grand Prix Sunday
=> 13:55 – Race (also Sky Sports Main Event)
=> also BBC Radio 5 Live from 14:00 to 16:00
=> 16:00 – Chequered Flag
=> 17:00 – Ted’s Notebook
14:55 to 18:30 – BTCC: Race 3 (ITV4)
18:30 to 21:00 – F1: Race Highlights (Channel 4)

Full scheduling details for the 2022 Hungarian Grand Prix. Scheduling details correct as of Tuesday 26th July and are subject to change.

Contribute to the running costs of Motorsport Broadcasting by donating via PayPal. If you wish to reproduce the contents of this article in any form, please contact Motorsport Broadcasting in the first instance.