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.

Scheduling: The 2016 Monaco Grand Prix / Indianapolis 500

The last weekend of May is usually a special occasion for motor racing fans, and this year is no different with both the Monaco Grand Prix and the Indianapolis 500 taking place! In the UK, the Monaco round of the Formula One season airs exclusively live on Sky Sports F1 with highlights being broadcast in an early evening slot on Channel 4.

The usual Channel 4 team is joined by Mark Webber this weekend, his third appearance of the year with the team. The 100th Indianapolis 500 airs exclusively live on BT Sport 1 in an extended five and a half hour time slot. Suzi Perry was originally down to present BT’s coverage of the blue riband event, but plans have since changed. BT will not be taking the US international feed in its entirety, with Ben Evans, Keith Collantine, Oliver Webb (in London) and Jonathan Green (in Indianapolis) filling in the gaps. Green will be interviewing the drivers before the race. Caution periods aside, the race will air commercial free.

On the scheduling front, Thursday’s action in Monaco will also air live on Sky Sports 1. I believe it is the first time under the current contract that the GP2 Series has aired live on Sky Sports 1. A second edition of The F1 Show airs on the traditional F1 ‘rest day’ on Friday, but like the reduction in length to the usual show, this show has also been cut from one hour to 30 minutes compared with previous years. Below are all the details you need…

Channel 4 F1
Sessions
28/05 – 17:45 to 19:30 – Qualifying Highlights
29/05 – 17:45 to 20:00 – Race Highlights

Supplementary Programming
29/05 – 07:05 to 08:00 – Historic Monaco Grand Prix Highlights

Sky Sports F1
Sessions
26/05 – 08:45 to 11:00 – Practice 1 (also Sky Sports 1)
26/05 – 12:45 to 15:00 – Practice 2 (also Sky Sports 1)
28/05 – 09:45 to 11:15 – Practice 3
28/05 – 12:00 to 15:00 – Qualifying
29/05 – 11:30 to 16:15 – Race
=> 11:30 – Track Parade
=> 12:00 – Pit Lane Live
=> 12:30 – Race
=> 15:30 – Paddock Live

Supplementary Programming
25/05 – 14:00 to 14:30 – Driver Press Conference
25/05 – 20:30 to 21:00 – F1 Report: Preview
25/05 – 21:00 to 21:15 – Paddock Uncut
26/05 – 16:00 to 16:30 – Team Press Conference (also Sky Sports 1)
26/05 – 16:30 to 17:00 – The F1 Show (also Sky Sports 1)
27/05 – 17:00 to 17:30 – The F1 Show: Monaco Special
29/05 – 16:15 to 17:15 – Historic Monaco Grand Prix Highlights
01/06 – 20:30 to 21:00 – F1 Report: Review

BBC Radio F1
26/05 – 08:55 to 10:35 – Practice 1 (BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra)
26/05 – 12:55 to 14:35 – Practice 2 (BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra)
28/05 – 12:55 to 14:05 – Qualifying (BBC Radio 5 Live)
29/05 – 13:00 to 15:00 – Race (BBC Radio 5 Live)

Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 – Monaco (BT Sport 1)
29/05 – 11:00 to 12:00 – Race

FIM CEV Repsol – Aragon (BT Sport 2)
29/05 – 09:45 to 15:00 – Races

GP2 Series – Monaco (Sky Sports F1)
26/05 – 11:00 to 11:50 – Practice (also Sky Sports 1)
26/05 – 15:10 to 16:00 – Qualifying (also Sky Sports 1)
27/05 – 10:10 to 11:40 – Race 1
28/05 – 15:00 to 16:20 – Race 2

IndyCar Series – Indianapolis 500 (BT Sport 1)
29/05 – 15:30 to 21:00 – Race

World Superbikes – Donington Park (Quest TV)
28/05 – 11:00 to 13:15 – Qualifying
28/05 – 14:15 to 16:15 – Race 1
29/05 – 11:30 to 16:15 – Support Races and Race 2

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

Last updated on May 28th.

Scheduling: The 2016 Berlin ePrix / Italian MotoGP

The penultimate stop on the 2015-16 Formula E calendar takes the championship to Berlin this weekend. It marks round eight of ten before the season concludes with a double header in London in early July.

On the Formula E broadcasting side, Allan McNish is co-commentator alongside Jack Nicholls due to Dario Franchitti’s Indianapolis 500 commitments. It is a replica of BBC’s 5 Live team with Jennie Gow presenting for ITV, the only difference is that Tom Clarkson has yet to get involved with Formula E! Due to Peston on Sunday, Formula E’s highlights programme on ITV airs slightly later than usual on Sunday morning at 11:00.

Speaking of the famous American oval race, BT Sport//ESPN will be covering both Indy 500 qualifying days live for the first time ever. The move is an attempt by the channel to boost their IndyCar coverage in response to feedback from fans. Elsewhere on free-to-air television, British Superbikes is airing live on Quest TV due to coverage of the French Open Tennis and the Giro d’Italia cycling tour on Eurosport.

On two wheels, Suzi Perry will not be presenting BT Sport’s MotoGP coverage due to illness. Below are all the scheduling details you need…

MotoGP – Italy (BT Sport 2)
20/05 – 08:00 to 15:00
=> 08:00 – Practice 1
=> 10:45 – Reaction and Build-Up
=> 12:00 – Practice 2
21/05 – 08:00 to 15:15
=> 08:00 – Practice 3
=> 11:00 – Qualifying
22/05 – 07:30 to 09:15 – Warm Up
22/05 – 09:30 to 15:00
=> 09:30 – Moto3 race
=> 11:15 – Moto2 race
=> 12:45 – MotoGP race
=> 14:00 – Chequered Flag

MotoGP – Italy (ITV4)
23/05 – 21:00 to 22:00 – Highlights

Formula E – Berlin (online via YouTube)
21/05 – 07:10 to 08:10 – Practice 1
21/05 – 09:25 to 10:10 – Practice 2
21/05 – 10:45 to 12:10 – Qualifying

Formula E – Berlin
21/05 – 14:00 to 16:30 – Race (ITV4)
22/05 – 11:00 to 12:00 – Highlights (ITV)

British Superbikes – Brands Hatch Indy
21/05 – 14:00 to 16:00 – Qualifying (British Eurosport 2 and Quest TV)
22/05 – 12:30 to 18:00 – Races (Quest TV)
25/05 – 21:00 to 22:00 – Highlights (ITV4)

DTM – Austria
21/05 – 16:30 to 17:45 – Race 1 (BT Sport//ESPN)

Euroformula – Belgium
21/05 – Race 1
=> 13:25 to 14:20 (Motors TV)
=> 13:30 to 14:30 (BT Sport//ESPN)
22/05 – Race 2
=> 12:15 to 13:10 (Motors TV)
=> 12:15 to 13:15 (BT Sport//ESPN)

Formula 3 Europe – Austria
21/05 – Race 1
=> 09:30 to 10:30 (BT Sport 1)
=> 09:35 to 10:40 (Motors TV)
22/05 – 10:10 to 11:15 – Race 2 (Motors TV)

Formula V8 3.5 – Belgium (BT Sport//ESPN)
21/05 – 12:00 to 13:30 – Race 1
22/05 – 14:45 to 16:00 – Race 2

IndyCar Series – Indianapolis 500 Qualifying (BT Sport//ESPN)
21/05 – 21:00 to 23:00 – Day 1
22/05 – 21:00 to 23:00 – Day 2

International GT Open – Belgium
21/05 – 14:30 to 16:00 – Race 1
=> 14:20 to 16:00 (Motors TV)
=> 14:30 to 16:00 (BT Sport//ESPN)
22/05 – 13:15 to 14:45 – Race 2
=> 13:10 to 14:45 (Motors TV)
=> 13:15 to 14:45 (BT Sport//ESPN)

Virgin Australia Supercars – Winton Supersprint (BT Sport 1)
21/05 – 06:30 to 08:15 – Race 10
22/05 – 04:15 to 06:30 – Race 11

World Rally Championship – Portugal
20/05 – 19:00 to 20:00 – Stage 2 (BT Sport 2)
22/05 – 09:00 to 10:00 – Stage 3 (BT Sport 1)

Last updated on May 19th at 18:00 to reflect Suzi Perry’s illness.

Update on May 21st at 15:15 – Allan McNish commentated on Formula E practice and qualifying but had to pull out of the race commentary itself at the last minute, according to lead commentator Jack Nicholls.

Scheduling: The 2016 Spanish Grand Prix

Round five of the 2016 Formula One season marks a return to more familiar territory with the Spanish Grand Prix from the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. With it, the support races return during the weekend: GP2, GP3 and the Porsche Supercup.

Spain marks Channel 4’s second live Grand Prix and as part of their rotating punditry line-up, the weekend sees the debut of four-time world champion Alain Prost. Prost will be alongside Susie Wolff who makes her second appearance this season.

Elsewhere, I would expect Alex Jacques to return as GP2 and GP3 commentator for his second season. This has not yet been officially confirmed, but I have not seen any information to the contrary making the rounds. I will update this post if I hear anything (the same applies for co-commentator).

Outside of Formula 1, it is the Historic Grand Prix in Monaco, which is being covered live on Motors TV. The only two races that are not being covered are the post-1966 Formula 1 cars in action, because Motors TV is showing the Blancpain Endurance Series instead. In previous years, Sky Sports F1 has aired highlights from the historic weekend, but there is nothing currently in their schedules for the forthcoming weeks.

Also of interest is the World Superbikes from Sepang. The weekend is the first major event that is utilising the revised final corner, which will be used later this year in Formula 1. Below are all the scheduling details you need.

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

Sky Sports F1
Sessions
13/05 – 08:45 to 11:00 – Practice 1
13/05 – 12:45 to 14:50 – Practice 2
14/05 – 09:45 to 11:15 – Practice 3
14/05 – 12:00 to 14:35 – Qualifying
15/05 – 11:30 to 16:15 – Race
=> 11:30 – Track Parade
=> 12:00 – Pit Lane Live
=> 12:30 – Race
=> 15:30 – Paddock Live

Supplementary Programming
11/05 – 20:30 to 21:00 – F1 Report: Preview
12/05 – 14:00 to 14:30 – Driver Press Conference
12/05 – 20:45 to 21:00 – Paddock Uncut
13/05 – 15:30 to 16:00 – Team Press Conference
13/05 – 16:00 to 16:30 – The F1 Show
18/05 – 20:30 to 21:00 – F1 Report: Review

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

Blancpain Endurance Series – Silverstone (Motors TV)
15/05 – 14:30 to 18:30 – Race

Formula 3 Europe – Pau (BT Sport Europe)
14/05 – 10:00 to 11:00 – Race 1
14/05 – 14:30 to 15:45 – Race 2
15/05 – 14:00 to 15:15 – Race 3

GP2 Series – Spain (Sky Sports F1)
13/05 – 11:00 to 11:50 – Practice
13/05 – 14:50 to 15:30 – Qualifying
14/05 – 14:35 to 16:05 – Race 1
15/05 – 09:30 to 10:45 – Race 2

GP3 Series – Spain (Sky Sports F1)
14/05 – 08:45 to 09:20 – Qualifying
14/05 – 16:15 to 17:15 – Race 1
15/05 – 08:20 to 09:20 – Race 2

Historic Grand Prix of Monaco (Motors TV)
14/05 – 07:25 to 10:35 – Qualifying
=> 07:25 – 1966 to 1972 Formula 1
=> 08:05 – 1973 to 1976 Formula 1
=> 08:55 – 1958 to 1960 Formula Junior
=> 09:45 – Parade for Pre-War
14/05 – 13:25 to 17:20 – Qualifying
=> 13:25 – Pre-1961 Formula 1 and Formula 2
=> 14:05 – 1961 to 1965 Formula 1 (1500cc)
=> 14:55 – 1952 to 1955 Sports Racing
=> 15:45 – 1966 to 1972 Formula 1
=> 16:35 – 1973 to 1976 Formula 1
15/05 – 07:50 to 12:05 – Races
=> 07:50 – 1958 to 1960 Formula Junior
=> 08:50 – Pre-1961 Formula 1 and Formula 2
=> 09:55 – 1961 to 1965 Formula 1 (1500cc)
=> 11:05 – Parade for Pre-War
15/05 – 12:50 to 13:50 – Race – 1952 to 1955 Sports Racing

IndyCar Series – Indianapolis (BT Sport//ESPN)
14/05 – 20:30 to 23:00 – Race

Porsche Supercup – Spain (British Eurosport 2)
15/05 – 10:30 to 11:30 – Race

Speedway Grand Prix – Poland (BT Sport 1)
14/05 – 17:45 to 21:15 – Races

World Superbikes – Malaysia (British Eurosport 2)
14/05 – 06:15 to 10:15 – Qualifying and Race 1
15/05 – 07:00 to 10:30 – Support Races and Race 2

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

Updated on May 7th.

Scheduling: The 2016 Russian Grand Prix

The Bank Holiday weekend here in the United Kingdom means that there is not a lot of motor sport choice as May begins.

Round four of the 2016 Formula One season comes from Russia, which moves from its early October slot in the calendar. Russia is Sky Sports F1’s third exclusively live race of the season, with Channel 4 screening highlights of both qualifying and the race on the edge of primetime.

There is no further action of four wheels to be aware of this weekend looking at the schedule. Further afield on two wheels, the Speedway Grand Prix season gets underway live on BT Sport. British Eurosport meanwhile plays host to both the World and British Superbike Championships and as is tradition, the domestic super bike action takes place on Bank Holiday Monday.

Channel 4 F1
Sessions
30/04 – 17:30 to 19:00 – Qualifying Highlights
01/05 – 18:00 to 20:00 – Race Highlights

Sky Sports F1
Sessions
29/04 – 07:45 to 09:50 – Practice 1
29/04 – 11:45 to 14:00 – Practice 2
30/04 – 09:45 to 11:15 – Practice 3
30/04 – 12:00 to 14:45 – Qualifying
01/05 – 11:30 to 16:15 – Race
=> 11:30 – Track Parade
=> 12:00 – Pit Lane Live
=> 12:30 – Race
=> 15:30 – Paddock Live

Supplementary Programming
27/04 – 20:30 to 21:00 – F1 Report: Preview
28/04 – 13:00 to 13:30 – Driver Press Conference
28/04 – 20:45 to 21:00 – Paddock Uncut
29/04 – 14:00 to 14:30 – Team Press Conference
29/04 – 14:30 to 15:00 – The F1 Show
04/05 – 20:30 to 21:00 – F1 Report: Review

BBC Radio F1
29/04 – 07:55 to 09:35 – Practice 1 (BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra)
29/04 – 11:55 to 13:35 – Practice 2 (BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra)
30/04 – 09:55 to 11:05 – Practice 3 (BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra)
30/04 – 12:55 to 14:05 – Qualifying (BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra)
01/05 – 12:30 to 16:00 – Race (BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra)

British Superbikes – Oulton Park
01/05 – 14:00 to 16:00 – Qualifying (British Eurosport 2)
02/05 – 12:30 to 18:00 – Races (British Eurosport 2)
04/05 – 20:00 to 21:00 – Highlights (ITV4)

Speedway Grand Prix – Slovenia (BT Sport 1)
30/04 – 17:30 to 21:15 – Races

World Superbikes – Imola
30/04 – 12:00 to 13:15 – Superpole and Race 1 (British Eurosport 2)
01/05 – 10:00 to 14:00 – Race 2 (British Eurosport 2)
03/05 – 20:00 to 21:00 – Highlights (ITV4)

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

Last updated on May 1st at 11:00 to reflect the BBC Radio 5 Live schedule change. Race coverage will now be on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra so that the main station can cover updates in the Manchester United vs Leicester City football match.