Scheduling: The 2016 British Grand Prix

This weekend, Formula 1 comes home for the British Grand Prix! The Silverstone circuit plays host to round ten of 21 in the 2016 season. As is normally the case in the era of ‘split broadcasters’, the free-to-air broadcaster will be screening the race live… whether we will still have that to the same degree and reach in 2019, we don’t yet know.

Channel 4’s coverage on Sunday clocks in at four hours long, their longest race day show yet. You would have to go back to the mid-1990s to find a British Grand Prix programme that long, although of course the BBC in 2010 and 2011 were on air from 12:10 to around 16:45 (including their Red Button forum show).

Disappointingly, there is no spin-off programming to the weekend that helps cross-promote F1 to Channel 4’s other shows. This was mooted pre-season but has not come to fruition. Sunday Brunch is being billed though as a “Grand Prix show” with some F1 features.

There is also an one-hour special originally shown in 2012 focussing on Nic Hamilton, which will be broadcast on Saturday morning. On-site, Channel 4 will have an extended team with Eddie Jordan, Mark Webber and Susie Wolff all present alongside their usual line-up. Murray Walker has filmed a VT to be shown during the weekend as he is unable to attend in person. Elsewhere, the Speedway Grand Prix comes to the UK and Suzi Perry will be presenting BT Sport’s live coverage.

Channel 4 F1
Sessions
08/07 – 09:55 to 11:40 – Practice 1
08/07 – 13:55 to 15:35 – Practice 2
09/07 – 09:55 to 11:20 – Practice 3
09/07 – 11:55 to 14:30 – Qualifying
10/07 – 12:00 to 16:00 – Race
10/07 – 23:05 to 00:10 – Highlights

Supplementary Programming
09/07 – 06:55 to 07:55 – Nic Hamilton’s Racing Dream
10/07 – 09:00 to 12:00 – Sunday Brunch: Grand Prix show

Sky Sports F1
Sessions
08/07 – 09:45 to 12:00 – Practice 1
08/07 – 13:45 to 15:55 – Practice 2 (also Sky Sports 1)
09/07 – 09:45 to 11:15 – Practice 3
09/07 – 12:00 to 14:35 – Qualifying (also Sky Sports 1)
10/07 – 11:30 to 16:15 – Race (also Sky Sports 1)
=> 11:30 – Track Parade
=> 12:00 – Pit Lane Live
=> 12:30 – Race
=> 15:30 – Paddock Live

Supplementary Programming
07/07 – 15:00 to 15:30 – Driver Press Conference
07/07 – 18:00 to 19:00 – The F1 Show: British Special (also Sky Sports 1)
07/07 – 20:45 to 21:00 – Paddock Uncut
08/07 – 16:30 to 17:00 – Team Press Conference (also Sky Sports 1)
08/07 – 17:00 to 17:30 – The F1 Show (also Sky Sports 1)
13/07 – 20:30 to 21:00 – F1 Report: Review

BBC Radio F1
08/07 – 09:55 to 11:35 – Practice 1 (BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra)
08/07 – 13:55 to 15:35 – Practice 2 (BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra)
08/07 – 20:00 to 21:00 – Preview (BBC Radio 5 Live)
09/07 – 09:55 to 11:05 – Practice 3 (BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra)
09/07 – 12:55 to 14:05 – Qualifying (BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra)
10/07 – 12:30 to 15:30 – Race (BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra)

British Superbikes – Snetterton
09/07 – 16:00 to 18:00 – Qualifying (Eurosport 2 and Quest)
10/07 – 12:30 to 13:45 – Race 1 (Eurosport 2)
10/07 – 12:30 to 18:00 – Races (Quest)
13/07 – 21:00 to 22:00 – Highlights (ITV4)

GP2 Series – Britain (Sky Sports F1)
08/07 – 12:00 to 12:50 – Practice
08/07 – 15:55 to 16:30 – Qualifying (also Sky Sports 1)
09/07 – 14:40 to 16:10 – Race 1
10/07 – 09:25 to 10:40 – Race 2

GP3 Series – Britain (Sky Sports F1)
09/07 – 08:45 to 09:20 – Qualifying
09/07 – 16:20 to 17:20 – Race 1
10/07 – 08:15 to 09:15 – Race 2

IndyCar Series – Iowa Corn 300 (BT Sport//ESPN)
10/07 – 22:30 to 01:00 – Race

Porsche Supercup – Britain (Eurosport 2)
10/07 – 10:45 to 11:30 – Race

Speedway Grand Prix – Britain (BT Sport 1)
09/07 – 16:30 to 20:30 – Races

Virgin Australia Supercars – Townsville (BT Sport 2)
09/07 – 07:00 to 08:45 – Race 14
10/07 – 07:00 to 08:45 – Race 15

World Superbikes – Laguna Seca (British Eurosport 2)
09/07 – 19:15 to 20:30 – Superpole
09/07 – 22:15 to 23:30 – Race 1
10/07 – 22:15 to 23:30 – Race 2

As always, if anything changes, I’ll update the schedule.

Updated on July 8th to reflect Murray Walker’s status.

Scheduling: The 2016 Austrian Grand Prix

The 2016 Formula One season continues as the championship heads firmly to the European heartland for the Austrian Grand Prix.

It is the third year back on the calendar for the Red Bull Ring, all three years have been broadcast exclusively live on Sky Sports. Martin Brundle and Anthony Davidson are back with Sky this weekend after their 24 Hours of Le Mans absence. Over on Channel 4, Lee McKenzie is not with the team due to her BBC commitments with Wimbledon, however she will be appearing as a guest on Sunday Brunch at 09:30 on Sunday morning. Holly Samos, who is a name former listeners to BBC’s 5 Live F1 coverage may recognise, will be covering for McKenzie this weekend.

Things look a bit different for BBC’s radio team as well. With the Austrian Grand Prix clashing with the Formula E season finale, neither Jack Nicholls or Jennie Gow will be part of BBC’s team. Tom Clarkson, Allan McNish and 5 Live sports reporter Claire Cottingham will be covering duties. All the schedule details as usual are listed below and, for the London ePrix schedule, head over here…

Channel 4 F1
Sessions
02/07 – 17:30 to 19:00 – Qualifying Highlights
03/07 – 18:00 to 20:00 – Race Highlights

Sky Sports F1
Sessions
01/07 – 08:45 to 11:00 – Practice 1
01/07 – 12:45 to 14:55 – Practice 2
02/07 – 09:45 to 11:15 – Practice 3
02/07 – 12:00 to 14:35 – Qualifying (also Sky Sports 1)
03/07 – 11:30 to 16:15 – Race (also Sky Sports 1)
=> 11:30 – Track Parade
=> 12:00 – Pit Lane Live
=> 12:30 – Race
=> 15:30 – Paddock Live

Supplementary Programming
29/06 – 20:30 to 21:00 – F1 Report: Preview
30/06 – 14:00 to 14:30 – Driver Press Conference
30/06 – 20:45 to 21:00 – Paddock Uncut
01/07 – 15:30 to 16:00 – Team Press Conference
01/07 – 16:00 to 16:30 – The F1 Show

BBC Radio F1
01/07 – 08:55 to 10:35 – Practice 1 (BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra)
01/07 – 12:55 to 14:35 – Practice 2 (BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra)
03/07 – 13:00 to 15:00 – Race (BBC Radio 5 Live)

Blancpain Sprint Series – Nurburgring (BT Sport 2)
03/07 – 13:00 to 15:00 – Race

FIM CEV Repsol – Albacete (BT Sport Europe)
03/07 – 09:45 to 14:00 – Races

GP2 Series – Austria (Sky Sports F1)
01/07 – 11:00 to 11:50 – Practice
01/07 – 14:55 to 15:30 – Qualifying
02/07 – 14:35 to 16:05 – Race 1 (also Sky Sports 1)
03/07 – 09:25 to 10:40 – Race 2

GP3 Series – Austria (Sky Sports F1)
02/07 – 08:45 to 09:20 – Qualifying
02/07 – 16:10 to 17:10 – Race 1
03/07 – 08:15 to 09:15 – Race 2

Porsche Supercup – Austria (Eurosport)
03/07 – 10:30 to 11:20 – Race

TCR International Series – Russia (Motors TV)
03/07 – 10:25 to 11:45 – Race

World Rally Championship – Poland
30/06 – 18:00 to 19:00 – Stage 1 Live (BT Sport Europe)
01/07 – Day 1 Highlights
=> 22:00 to 22:30 (BT Sport 1)
=> 22:35 to 23:05 (Motors TV)
02/07 – Day 2 Highlights
=> 22:00 to 22:30 (BT Sport 1)
=> 22:35 to 23:05 (Motors TV)
03/07 – 08:00 to 09:00 – Stage 2 Live (BT Sport 1)
03/07 – 11:00 to 12:00 – Stage 3 Live (BT Sport 2)
03/07 – Day 3 Highlights
=> 22:00 to 22:30 (BT Sport 1)
=> 22:35 to 23:05 (Motors TV)
04/07 – 19:00 to 20:00 – Highlights (Channel 5)

As always, if anything changes, I will update the schedule.

Last updated on June 30th, to add information about Claire Cottingham and Holly Samos.

Scheduling: The 2016 European Grand Prix

After a quick dash over to North America, Formula 1 heads back over to the East for the first ever race in Azerbaijan! Badged as the European Grand Prix, the race takes place on a street circuit in Baku.

The sporting opposition this weekend consists of four events: the Royal Ascot, Tennis from Queen’s, Euro 2016 and the 24 Hours of Le Mans (schedule here). The qualifying session clashes with Belgium vs Republic of Ireland; however, Sunday thankfully has no football clash. Of course, as widely publicised, the qualifying session will also clash with the first hour of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The race itself will clash with the chequered flag of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. It is the first time Le Mans has clashed with the F1 since 2011, which is a nonsense scenario that hopefully will not be repeated in the foreseeable future. Elsewhere, Channel 4’s coverage of practice two moves to More4 due to coverage of the Royal Ascot.

On the personnel front, the big news is that Martin Brundle will not be present again with Sky’s Formula 1 team in Baku due to his participation in the famous endurance race. Originally, Brundle was only set to miss Baku, but this was extended to cover Canada as a result of a “medical procedure” that Brundle had following the Monaco Grand Prix. Paul di Resta is again alongside David Croft in the commentary box in Baku.

Over on Channel 4, Eddie Jordan returns to F1 broadcasting, his first live appearance with the channel since they took over from BBC at the end of 2015.

Channel 4 F1
Sessions
17/06 – 09:55 to 11:35 – Practice 1 (Channel 4)
17/06 – 13:55 to 15:35 – Practice 2 (More4)
18/06 – 10:55 to 12:05 – Practice 3 (Channel 4)
18/06 – 13:00 to 15:20 – Qualifying (Channel 4)
19/06– 13:00 to 16:30 – Race (Channel 4)
19/06 – 23:25 to 00:30 – Highlights (Channel 4)

Sky Sports F1
Sessions
17/06 – 09:45 to 11:50 – Practice 1
17/06 – 13:45 to 16:00 – Practice 2
18/06 – 10:45 to 12:15 – Practice 3
18/06 – 13:00 to 15:45 – Qualifying
19/06 – 12:30 to 17:15 – Race
=> 12:30 – Track Parade (also Sky Sports 1)
=> 13:00 – Pit Lane Live (also Sky Sports 1)
=> 13:30 – Race (also Sky Sports 1 – until 16:00 only)
=> 16:30 – Paddock Live

Supplementary Programming
16/06 – 12:00 to 12:30 – Driver Press Conference
16/06 – 20:45 to 21:00 – Paddock Uncut
17/06 – 16:00 to 16:30 – Team Press Conference
17/06 – 16:30 to 17:00 – The F1 Show
22/06 – 20:30 to 21:00 – F1 Report: Review

BBC Radio F1
17/06 – 09:55 to 11:35 – Practice 1 (BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra)
18/06 – 10:55 to 12:05 – Practice 3 (BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra)
18/06 – 13:55 to 15:05 – Qualifying (BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra)
19/06 – 14:00 to 16:00 – Race (BBC Radio 5 Live)

British Touring Car Championship – Croft (ITV4)
19/06 – 11:00 to 18:15 – Races

GP2 Series – Europe (Sky Sports F1)
17/06 – 08:00 to 08:50 – Practice
17/06 – 11:50 to 12:30 – Qualifying
18/06 – 09:00 to 10:30 – Race 1
19/06 – 10:55 to 12:10 – Race 2

Virgin Australia Supercars – Darwin Triple Crown (BT Sport 1)
18/06 – 07:15 to 09:00 – Race 12
19/06 – 04:30 to 06:45 – Race 13

World Superbikes –Misano
18/06 – 09:15 to 13:15 – Qualifying and Race 1 (Eurosport)
19/06 – 10:00 to 13:15 – Race 2 (Eurosport 2)

Last updated on June 18th, to reflect Sky Sports 1 also covering the Track Parade and Pit Lane Live.

Scheduling: The 2016 24 Hours of Le Mans

The greatest endurance race on the planet is back! The 24 Hours of Le Mans takes its usual June place on the motor sport calendar, marking round three of the 2016 FIA World Endurance Championship.

As usual, Eurosport have extensive coverage of proceedings with all of the race covered live. The one thing missing is the second qualifying session on Thursday afternoon which clashes with Tennis from Queen’s. Also a notable absentee is the Le Mans Legends race, a fixture since 2001, this will no longer be taking place in the build-up to the main race. As usual, Eurosport’s line-up will feature the likes of Martin Haven, Jeremy Shaw and Liz Halliday. Tom Gaymor will be voicing the 24 Minutes magazine programmes.

Quest TV (also owned by Discovery) will be screening coverage again this year following high numbers last year. Quest are airing four hours of live coverage, compared with three and a half hours of live coverage last year. Eurosport and Quest will be sharing the personnel used with the added use of Louise Goodman and Andy Jaye. There will also be 90 second updates at the top of each hour (excluding overnight).

Monday 13th June
22:45 to 23:15 – 24 Minutes (Eurosport)

Tuesday 14th June
22:30 to 23:00 – 24 Minutes (Eurosport 2)

Wednesday 15th June
15:00 to 19:00 – Live Practice (Eurosport 2)
20:30 to 21:00 – Live 24 Minutes (Eurosport)
21:00 to 22:55 – Live Qualifying 1 (Eurosport)

Thursday 16th June
20:30 to 21:00 – Live 24 Minutes (Eurosport)
21:00 to 22:55 – Live Qualifying 3 (Eurosport)

Friday 17th June
22:25 to 22:55 – 24 Minutes (Eurosport)

Saturday 18th June
08:00 to 09:00- Live Warm Up (Eurosport 2)
13:15 to 13:45 – Live 24 Minutes (Eurosport)
20:00 to 20:30 – Live 24 Minutes (Eurosport)
– for details of the race itself, see below

Sunday 19th June
07:30 to 08:00 – Live 24 Minutes (Eurosport)
14:15 to 14:45 – Live 24 Minutes (Eurosport)

Monday 20th June
20:00 to 21:00 – Highlights (Quest TV)

Saturday 25th June
06:35 to 07:00 – Highlights (Channel 4)

The race itself beginning on the Saturday…
13:30 to 15:00 – Quest TV
13:45 to 20:00 – Eurosport
20:00 to 20:30 – Eurosport 2
20:00 to 21:00 – Quest TV
20:30 to 07:30 – Eurosport
07:30 to 08:00 – Eurosport 2
08:00 to 14:15 – Eurosport
10:00 to 11:00 – Quest TV
13:00 to 14:30 – Quest TV

Last updated on June 18th with details about Quest TV’s personnel.

Scheduling: The 2016 Canadian Grand Prix

Next weekend sees Formula 1’s annual June stateside trip to Montreal for the Canadian Grand Prix! Unfortunately for Formula 1, next weekend also marks the beginning of Euro 2016, heralding a summer of sport that also includes Wimbledon and the Olympic Games from Rio.

Sky Sports F1’s live coverage from Montreal sees the qualifying programme clash with Wales vs Slovakia and the build-up to England vs Russia, whilst the race itself on the Sunday clashes with the first half of Germany vs Ukraine. To be honest, from FOM’s point of view, you could not really schedule either qualifying or the race any differently: move qualifying to 18:30 UK time and you run into more of the England build-up, move the race to 18:30 UK time and you get into a clash with Poland vs Northern Ireland. Alternatively, what is worse: a double header from Monaco to Canada or a double header from Canada to Baku. I’ll let you decide…

Due to the aforementioned Euro 2016, BBC’s radio coverage is on the light side, with only updates from qualifying and the race itself covered on either 5 Live or their sister station. As if ratings have not dropped significantly already this season, I am expecting the percentage drops to be severe for Canada, also partially due to the fact that Channel 4’s coverage is highlights only whereas the BBC aired Canada live from 2013 to 2015. I fear for Channel 4’s numbers over the weekend, I really do. Like last year, Sky are simulcasting the race on Sky Sports 1.

Staying with Channel 4, their coverage of the World Endurance Championship begins on Saturday 11th June, with highlights of the first round from Silverstone at 06:35. Below are all the details you need.

Channel 4 F1
Sessions
11/06 – 22:00 to 23:35 – Qualifying Highlights
12/06 – 22:40 to 00:45 – Race Highlights

Sky Sports F1
Sessions
10/06 – 14:45 to 16:50 – Practice 1
10/06 – 18:45 to 21:00 – Practice 2
11/06 – 14:45 to 16:15 – Practice 3
11/06 – 17:00 to 19:45 – Qualifying
12/06 – 17:30 to 22:15 – Race
=> 17:30 – Track Parade (also Sky Sports 1)
=> 18:00 – Pit Lane Live (also Sky Sports 1)
=> 18:30 – Race (also Sky Sports 1)
=> 21:30 – Paddock Live

Supplementary Programming
08/06– 20:30 to 21:00 – F1 Report: Preview
09/06 – 16:00 to 16:30 – Driver Press Conference
09/06 – 20:45 to 21:00 – Paddock Uncut
10/06 – 21:00 to 21:30 – Team Press Conference
10/06 – 21:30 to 22:00 – The F1 Show
15/06 – 20:30 to 21:00 – F1 Report: Review

BBC Radio F1
11/06 – 19:00 to 20:00 – Qualifying Updates (BBC Radio 5 Live)
12/06 – 18:45 to 21:30 – Race (BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra)

British GT – Silverstone (Motors TV)
12/06 – 12:30 to 16:00 – Race

FIM CEV Repsol – Catalunya (BT Sport//ESPN)
12/06 – 09:45 to 15:00 – Races

FIM World Endurance Championship – 12 Hours of Portimao (Eurosport 2)
11/06 – 09:15 to 12:00 – Part 1
11/06 – 19:00 to 21:45 – Part 2

IndyCar Series – Firestone 600
~~11/06 (Saturday night) – 01:30 to 04:00 – Race (BT Sport//ESPN)~~
12/06 – 19:00 to 21:30 – Race (BT Sport 2)

Speedway Grand Prix – Denmark (BT Sport 1)
11/06 – 17:45 to 21:15 – Races

World Rally Championship – Italy
10/06 – Day 1 Highlights
=> 22:30 to 23:00 (BT Sport 1)
=> 22:35 to 23:05 (Motors TV)
11/06 – Day 2 Highlights
=> 21:15 to 21:45 (BT Sport 1)
=> 22:35 to 23:05 (Motors TV)
12/06 – 08:00 to 09:00 – Stage 1 Live (BT Sport 1)
12/06 – 11:00 to 12:00 – Power Stage Live (BT Sport 1)
12/06 – Day 3 Highlights
=> 21:30 to 22:00 (BT Sport 1)
=> 22:35 to 23:05 (Motors TV)
14/06 – 19:00 to 20:00 – Highlights (Channel 5)

World Touring Car Championship – Moscow
11/06 – 12:00 to 13:30 – Qualifying (Eurosport 2)
12/06 – 10:00 to 12:00 – Races (Eurosport 1)
=> 10:00 – Race 1
=> 11:00 – Race 2

As always, if anything changes, I will update the schedule.

Last updated on June 7th to reflect Channel 4’s race highlights being pushed back ten minutes. Updated as well on June 12th to reflect the rain-delayed IndyCar race being rescheduled.