Sky Sports F1 to repeat every classic race through December

Having F1 withdrawal symptoms? I think you will like the title of this article… yes, that is right, Sky Sports F1 are repeating every single one of their 2013 classic races throughout December! Fantastic news, and one I am very, very happy to see.

I won’t go through the individual commentators for each race, but below is Sky Sports F1’s Classic F1 schedule through December. Enjoy!

Monday 2nd December
20:00 to 22:15 – 1999 Australian Grand Prix
22:15 to 00:45 – 1999 Malaysian Grand Prix

Tuesday 3rd December
21:15 to 23:30 – 2007 Chinese Grand Prix
23:45 to 02:15 – 2006 Bahrain Grand Prix

Wednesday 4th December
20:15 to 22:30 – 2011 Spanish Grand Prix
22:30 to 01:00 – 2003 Monaco Grand Prix

Thursday 5th December
20:00 to 20:45 – 1991 Canadian Grand Prix Highlights
21:00 to 23:00 – 2003 British Grand Prix

Friday 6th December
21:00 to 22:00 – 1993 German Grand Prix Highlights
23:00 to 01:00 – 1998 Belgian Grand Prix

Saturday 7th December
11:00 to 13:00 – 2001 Italian Grand Prix
15:00 to 17:45 – 2008 Singapore Grand Prix
18:45 to 22:15 – 2010 Korean Grand Prix
23:15 to 00:45 – 1989 Japanese Grand Prix Highlights

Sunday 8th December
14:30 to 16:45 – 2009 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
18:00 to 20:00 – 2007 United States Grand Prix
21:00 to 23:30 – 2003 Brazilian Grand Prix

Monday 9th December
16:00 to 22:15 – Australian Grands Prix
=> 2003, 2007 and 2010

Tuesday 10th December
16:00 to 00:45 – Malaysian Grands Prix
=> 2002, 2003, 2007 and 2010

Wednesday 11th December
16:00 to 01:00 – Chinese Grands Prix
=> 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011

Thursday 12th December
16:00 to 01:00 – Bahrain Grands Prix
=> 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010

Friday 13th December
15:45 to 19:00 – Spanish Grands Prix Highlights
=> 1986, 1991, 1994 and 1996

Saturday 14th December
17:30 to 19:00 – Monaco Grands Prix Highlights
=> 1992 and 1996
19:30 to 22:00 – 2008 Monaco Grand Prix
22:30 to 01:00 – 2011 Monaco Grand Prix

Sunday 15th December
16:00 to 16:45 – 1995 Canadian Grand Prix Highlights
16:45 to 19:00 – 2008 Canadian Grand Prix
19:30 to 22:15 – 2011 Canadian Grand Prix

Monday 16th December
16:00 to 18:00 – 1987 British Grand Prix
19:30 to 20:10 – 1994 British Grand Prix Highlights
20:10 to 22:10 – 2008 British Grand Prix

Tuesday 17th December
16:00 to 18:15 – 2000 German Grand Prix
19:30 to 21:30 – 2005 German Grand Prix
22:00 to 00:00 – 2011 German Grand Prix

Wednesday 18th December
16:00 to 17:30 – Hungarian Grands Prix Highlights
=> 1986 and 1993
19:30 to 22:00 – 1997 Hungarian Grand Prix
22:30 to 00:45 – 2011 Hungarian Grand Prix

Thursday 19th December
16:00 to 16:40 – 1985 Belgian Grand Prix Highlights
16:40 to 18:40 – 2000 Belgian Grand Prix
19:30 to 21:30 – 2008 Belgian Grand Prix
22:00 to 00:00 – 2010 Belgian Grand Prix

Friday 20th December
16:00 to 17:30 – Italian Grands Prix Highlights
=> 1988 and 1995
19:30 to 21:30 – 2010 Italian Grand Prix

Saturday 21st December
16:00 to 18:45 – 2009 Singapore Grand Prix
19:30 to 22:15 – 2010 Singapore Grand Prix
22:45 to 01:30 – 2011 Singapore Grand Prix

Sunday 22nd December
16:00 to 18:30 – 2011 Korean Grand Prix

Monday 23rd December
15:45 to 16:45 – 1994 Japanese Grand Prix Highlights
16:45 to 19:00 – 1998 Japanese Grand Prix
19:30 to 00:15 – Japanese Grands Prix
=> 2000 and 2007

Christmas Eve
15:45 to 18:00 – 2011 Indian Grand Prix

Christmas Day
15:45 to 18:00 – 2010 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
19:30 to 22:00 – 2011 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Boxing Day
16:00 to 19:15 – United States Grands Prix Highlights
– 1983, 1984, 1987 and 1991

Friday 27th December
18:00 to 20:00 – 2007 Brazilian Grand Prix
20:00 to 20:40 – 1993 Brazilian Grand Prix Highlights
20:40 to 22:40 – 2008 Brazilian Grand Prix

That breaks down as 78 classic races. 21 in highlights form and 57 in full race form, assuming I’ve counted properly. It does include the Bahrain’s of this world, but hey, it is F1 in December. I’m really happy to see this, and this is what I envisaged the channel would be used for during the off season. I do not normally praise Sky Sports F1’s schedule, but this is brilliant to see in my view.

Me personally? I won’t tune in every night, but it will be great to flick the channel on one evening and be taken straight into a classic F1 race. Hopefully Sky publicise all of this, because it would be real shame to see it go under the radar.

Will these be shown again in January? The fact that they are all being shown all in December suggests not. Schedules only go to New Year’s Eve, what is happening beyond then, I don’t know. As always there may well be timing adjustments and the such like above, as I always I’ll update the blog.

Sky Sports F1’s Christmas schedule for 2013 begins to takes shape

Early scheduling information for Sky Sports F1’s Christmas schedules has today been released. Things are largely expected to be the same as 2012, with the news earlier this month that there will be again team reviews and The F1 Show Christmas Special, this year entitled A Record Breaking Year.

The team reviews will air in order from 11th to 1st from Friday 13th December through to Monday 23rd December:

– 13/12 – 19:00 – Caterham: Dutch Courage (with Rachel Brookes)
– 14/12 – 19:00 – Marussia: Mission Accomplished (with David Croft)
– 15/12 – 19:00 – Williams: A Long Way Back (with Rachel Brookes)
– 16/12 – 19:00 – Toro Rosso: Ricciardo on the Rise (with Ted Kravitz)
– 17/12 – 19:00 – Sauber: Hulkenberg Shines (with David Croft)
– 18/12 – 19:00 – Force India: All Tyred Out (with Natalie Pinkham)
– 19/12 – 19:00 – McLaren: 2013’s Rough Ride (with Simon Lazenby)
– 20/12 – 19:00 – Lotus: Against All Odds
– 21/12 – 19:00 – Ferrari: A Team in Transition (with Natalie Pinkham)
– 22/12 – 19:00 – Mercedes: Hamilton’s New Home (with Simon Lazenby)
– 23/12 – 19:00 – Red Bull: A World Apart

Neither Lotus or the Red Bull reviews have narrators listed. The surprise was that classic races were also making an appearance through the entire month (full details here). In summary, over the Christmas period for Sky, it is:

– classic races
– team reviews
– The F1 Show Christmas Special

The F1 Show’s Christmas Special will air on Christmas Eve at 18:00, only an hour this year versus last year’s two hours. I was planning to type the entire Christmas Eve and Christmas Day schedules here, however, now that they include the classic races, there is not much use in doing that.

Scheduling: The 2013 Brazilian Grand Prix

No championship battle this year, sadly, but the Formula 1 season once again finishes with the Brazilian Grand Prix from Interlagos. Expect both the full strength BBC and Sky sides out in force as usual. BBC Two’s coverage of Practice 1 is delayed by about 65 minutes due to The Daily Politics airing on the channel from 12:00 to 13:00, but is live on BBC’s Red Button service. Practice 2 and 3 are both live as normal on BBC Two. A quick note too that it may be worth putting BBC Two on record both days in the event that rain is forecast, but I will add to that possibility later should it occur!

Sky have their usual schedule, including five classic races including the 2008 thriller on Thursday evening. A very nice schedule for them actually on the Friday which I must applaud: Classic F1, FP1, Classic F1 and FP2. No reason to move from the sofa between 11:05 and 18:00. Basic, but genius scheduling idea! Obviously it is not possibly during the European season due to GP2 or GP3, but the above really shows how to maximise a schedule. Their scheduling is not always perfect (dubious placing of the classics on Sunday, which should really bookend the new content), but the Friday schedule deserves credit.

Talking of schedules, it appears weather may prove a headache next weekend for the BBC. The title race is over, so should either Qualifying or the Race get red flagged, I am certain it will be bumped off BBC One fairly sharpish – a big night for BBC One next Saturday after the F1. And here are all of the scheduling details you need:

Tuesday 19th November
20:00 to 20:40 – F1: 1993 Brazilian Grand Prix (Sky Sports F1)
– commentary from Murray Walker and James Hunt
– repeated on Friday 22nd November at 11:05
20:40 to 22:40 – F1: 2001 Brazilian Grand Prix (Sky Sports F1)
– commentary from James Allen and Martin Brundle
– repeated on Friday 22nd November at 13:50

Wednesday 20th November
20:00 to 22:30 – F1: 2003 Brazilian Grand Prix (Sky Sports F1)
– commentary from James Allen and Martin Brundle
– repeated on Saturday 23rd November at 17:45
22:30 to 00:30 – F1: 2007 Brazilian Grand Prix (Sky Sports F1)
– commentary from James Allen and Martin Brundle
– repeated on Sunday 24th November at 12:15

Thursday 21st November
13:00 to 13:45 – F1: Driver Press Conference (Sky Sports F1)
18:00 to 18:15 – Gear Up for USA (Sky Sports F1)
20:00 to 22:00 – F1: 2008 Brazilian Grand Prix (Sky Sports F1)
– commentary from James Allen and Martin Brundle
– repeated on Sunday 24th November at 22:15

Friday 22nd November
11:45 to 13:50 – F1: Practice 1 (Sky Sports F1)
11:55 to 13:35 – F1: Practice 1 (BBC Red Button)
13:00 to 14:45 – F1: Practice 1 (BBC Two)
– delayed coverage
15:45 to 18:00 – F1: Practice 2 (Sky Sports F1)
15:55 to 17:35 – F1: Practice 2 (BBC Two)
18:00 to 18:45 – F1: Team Press Conference (Sky Sports F1)
20:00 to 21:00 – The F1 Show (Sky Sports F1)

Saturday 23rd November
12:45 to 14:10 – F1: Practice 3 (Sky Sports F1)
12:55 to 14:05 – F1: Practice 3 (BBC Two)
15:00 to 17:20 – F1: Qualifying (BBC One)
15:00 to 17:45 – F1: Qualifying (Sky Sports F1)

Sunday 24th November
14:30 to 19:15 – F1: Race (Sky Sports F1)
=> 14:30 – Track Parade
=> 15:00 – Race
=> 18:30 – Paddock Live
15:00 to 18:05 – F1: Race (BBC One)
18:05 to 19:05 – F1: Forum (BBC Red Button)
19:15 to 20:15 – Legends: John Watson (Sky Sports F1)

Wednesday 27th November
19:00 to 19:30 – Midweek Report (Sky Sports F1)

As always, if anything changes I shall update this blog if necessary.

Scheduling: The 2013 United States Grand Prix

The 2013 Formula One season is heading to its conclusion with the final two races of the season, starting with the United States Grand Prix. The teams and drivers make their second visit to the Circuit of Americas which provided one of the best races of the year in 2012, so let’s hope for more of the same next weekend.

Sky are screening five Classic F1 races, albeit four in highlights form in build-up to next weekend’s race. Over on BBC, there is a 5 Live special on Wednesday as Sir Clive Woodward visits Red Bull’s factory in Milton Keynes. Qualifying highlights are a bit late though, last year they were on at 21:00 on BBC Two whereas this year they are on at 22:30. I guess there is no incentive to put them on earlier given that the title race has already been resolved. I hope the combined average in the official ratings is above 3 million, but I’m not even sure that will happen.

The F1 Show is being shown live on Sky Sports 1 and F1 for some reason.

Saturday 9th November
20:00 to 20:45 – F1: 1983 United States Grand Prix West Highlights (Sky Sports F1)
– commentary from Murray Walker and James Hunt

Sunday 10th November
20:00 to 20:45 – F1: 1984 Dallas Grand Prix Highlights (Sky Sports F1)
– commentary from Murray Walker and James Hunt
– repeated on Friday 15th November at 14:00

Monday 11th November
20:00 to 20:45 – F1: 1987 Detroit Grand Prix Highlights (Sky Sports F1)
– commentary from Murray Walker and James Hunt
– repeated on Saturday 16th November at 14:00

Tuesday 12th November
20:00 to 21:00 – F1: 1991 United States Grand Prix Highlights (Sky Sports F1)
– commentary from Murray Walker and James Hunt
– repeated on Saturday 16th November at 19:45

Wednesday 13th November
20:00 to 21:00 – Sir Clive Woodward Meets Red Bull (BBC Radio 5 Live)
20:00 to 22:00 – F1: 2007 United States Grand Prix (Sky Sports F1)
– commentary from James Allen and Martin Brundle
– repeated on Sunday 17th November at 12:30

Thursday 14th November
17:00 to 17:45 – F1: Driver Press Conference (Sky Sports F1)
21:30 to 21:45 – Gear Up for USA (Sky Sports F1)
21:30 to 22:00 – F1: Preview (BBC Radio 5 Live)

Friday 15th November
14:45 to 16:50 – F1: Practice 1 (Sky Sports F1)
15:05 to 16:35 – F1: Practice 1 (BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra)
18:45 to 21:00 – F1: Practice 2 (Sky Sports F1)
21:00 to 21:45 – F1: Team Press Conference (Sky Sports F1)
23:00 to 00:00 – The F1 Show (Sky Sports 1 and F1)

Saturday 16th November
14:45 to 16:10 – F1: Practice 3 (Sky Sports F1)
14:55 to 16:05 – F1: Practice 3 (BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra)
17:00 to 19:45 – F1: Qualifying (Sky Sports F1)
17:55 to 19:05 – F1: Qualifying (BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra)
22:30 to 23:45 – F1: Qualifying Highlights (BBC Two excluding Wales)
23:10 to 00:25 – F1: Qualifying Highlights (BBC Two Wales)

Sunday 17th November
17:30 to 22:15 – F1: Race (Sky Sports F1)
=> 17:30 – Track Parade
=> 18:00 – Race
=> 21:15 – Paddock Live
18:30 to 21:00 – F1: Race (BBC Radio 5 Live)
22:15 to 22:45 – GP Uncovered: Big John Surtees (Sky Sports F1)
22:25 to 00:25 – F1: Race Highlights (BBC One)

Wednesday 20th November
19:00 to 19:30 – Midweek Report (Sky Sports F1)

As always, I shall update this blog if there are any small adjustments to be made.

BT Sport to show MotoGP testing live

BT Sport are to show MotoGP testing live, it has been confirmed today. BT Sport 2 will air live coverage on Monday 11th November from 13:00 to 15:00 and then from 10:00 to 12:00 the next day. This will also be simulcast on the channel’s app.

This is an interesting development. The difference between Dorna and Formula One Management (FOM) is huge where testing is concerned. Dorna produce a live feed for testing, whilst FOM produce a highlights package and that is about it. Remember that earlier this year, Sky filmed Formula 1 testing with their own cameras, which will cost significantly more than BT’s coverage of MotoGP on Monday. As confirmed by Mark Coyle, the channels Head of Digital Production on Twitter, BT will be taking the World Feed with commentary from the usual pairing of Gavin Emmett and Nick Harris, but BT themselves will be shooting other material in the paddock for online and supplementary programming.

Also, it is worth a reminder too that this is not the first time MotoGP testing has been broadcast live in the United Kingdom. Back in the mid 2000’s, Eurosport broadcast a one hour mini ’round 0′ session where I think the prize was a BMW bike. Very impressive and promising nevertheless to see BT Sport pulling out all the stops, only a day after the 2013 MotoGP season ends.