No live F1 testing coverage ahead of 2018 season

Formula 1 fans hoping to see more than a sneak peek of the 2018 machinery may be disappointed, as there will be no live coverage of testing ahead of the new season, I can confirm.

At the back-end of 2017, there were rumblings that Formula One Management (FOM) would provide enhanced testing coverage this year. The suggestions were amplified by comments made during Sky Sports F1’s coverage of the season-closing Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, where pit lane reporter Ted Kravitz noted that commentator David Croft would be “standing in a commentary box” for long periods of time during testing, alluding to the potential of live coverage.

The idea was that FOM would use Sky’s personnel on commentary for their coverage of testing, with coverage airing on Sky’s F1 channel, and via FOM’s new over-the-top platform or YouTube. However, I can now reveal that plans have not come to fruition. The news means that the first-time fans will see cars in live action will be during the Australian Grand Prix weekend in late-March. The one time testing aired live was in 2013, the move primarily designed to promote Sky’s 3D offering.

I understand that FOM will provide a similar level of coverage to last year’s testing season, with clips, such as on-board footage, shared via social media, and live segments from the paddock on Facebook during the on-track lunch break.

Many make the comparison between MotoGP and Formula 1. MotoGP does produce a live feed of their post-season test from Valencia; however, all their production equipment and facilities are already on-site following the final race of the season two days earlier. Dorna’s pre-season coverage of testing from Sepang largely consisted of updates at various points of the day (around three hours in total), with footage of riders on-track, live reports from pit lane and extended interviews.

In comparison, IndyCar produced a live stream of testing from ISM Raceway earlier this month, but this consisted of one static camera situated on the start-finish straight. So, there are ways and means, but unless you already have the facilities on-site, there is reluctance to produce a World Feed, as the cost outweighs any benefits it would bring. Famously, IndyCar did stream Fernando Alonso’s Indianapolis 500 rookie orientation day live last year, but they were extremely unique and unprecedented circumstances.

For me, the best scenario would be to go on-air with an hour of testing left each day, with some analysis after the chequered flag. Of course, the ‘hour’ of testing could consist of footage compiled from earlier in the day, along with key developments. A show of this nature would do the job nicely, giving each team ample air-time, as well as showing off as much of the cars as possible, whilst removing the need for a full circuit production.

ESPN’s US coverage to take Sky’s UK commentary
Overseas, ESPN have confirmed that their US coverage will take Sky’s UK commentary line-up of David Croft and Martin Brundle. The agreement between ESPN and Sky Sports was “arranged by Formula 1”, likely a result of the fact that Sean Bratches, Formula 1’s Managing Director for Commercial Operations, used to work for ESPN.

ESPN follows in the footsteps of many broadcasters around the world who take Sky’s UK commentary, such as TSN (Canada) and FOX Sports (Australia). Sky Sports will also produce special segments to supplement ESPN’s television coverage, something they do not currently do for other broadcasters.

A variety of outlets have reported this deal as ESPN taking Sky’s coverage, which may be stretching the truth. ESPN say that a further announcement on their content plans is coming in forthcoming weeks. If Sky’s pre and post-race segments turn up, I suspect it will form part of ESPN’s online offering given that race start times have already adjusted to suit their needs.

Whilst Sky’s UK coverage is excellent compared to many broadcasters, and stateside fans will love hearing Martin Brundle’s commentary, American fans deserve to have a broadcaster covering Formula 1 who are prepared to invest time, money, and home-grown talent into the sport.

To NBC’s credit, they produced content tailored to their audience, with Will Buxton, Jason Swales, Leigh Diffey and more at the helm. Viewing figures may go up, but audience appreciation of the raw Formula 1 television product in America could decrease because of the ESPN deal.

Scheduling: The 2018 Barcelona test 1 on Sky Sports F1

The cold, long winter is ending, and it is almost time to hear the sound of Formula 1 cars again!

As usual, Sky Sports F1 are covering both Barcelona tests. The first test features a 15-minute round-up show fronted by Craig Slater at the start of the hour. Rachel Brookes is recovering from her knee surgery at the end of 2017, so expect her not to return until Australia. After the round-up, Ted Kravitz is back with his Notebook on each of the four days.

So far, that is what we know, and can confirm. Whether any additional live elements come to fruition, as mooted during Sky’s coverage of the 2017 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, remains to be seen. The closer we get, the more unlikely it appears that F1’s new over-the-top service will launch in time for testing, so the best bet is for live streaming via YouTube or elsewhere, alongside live action on Sky, if FOM decide to head down that avenue.

Monday 26th February
21:00 to 21:45 – Day 1 Highlights
– round-up at 21:00
– Ted’s Notebook at 21:15

Tuesday 27th February
10:00 to 10:45 – Day 1 Highlights (R)
21:00 to 21:45 – Day 2 Highlights
– round-up at 21:00
– Ted’s Notebook at 21:15

Wednesday 28th February
10:00 to 10:45 – Day 2 Highlights (R)
21:00 to 21:45 – Day 3 Highlights
– round-up at 21:00
– Ted’s Notebook at 21:15

Thursday 1st March
10:00 to 10:45 – Day 3 Highlights (R)
21:00 to 21:45 – Day 4 Highlights
– round-up at 21:00
– Ted’s Notebook at 21:15

As always, I will update this site as and when, or if, further details confirmed.

Update on February 24th – For those of you who have not spotted the earlier post, there is no live coverage of testing.

Channel 4 and Sky confirm 2018 scheduling details

Channel 4 and Sky Sports have today confirmed their 2018 Formula One calendar picks, the final time this process takes place under the terms of original BBC and Sky deal from 2012 to 2018.

The picks are as follows:

2018 Schedule Details
March 25th – Australia (Melbourne) – Sky
April 8th – Bahrain (Sakhir) – Channel 4 and Sky
April 15th – China (Shanghai) – Sky
April 29th – Azerbaijan (Baku) – Channel 4 and Sky
May 13th – Spain (Barcelona) – Sky
May 27th – Monaco (Monaco) – Channel 4 and Sky
June 10th – Canada (Montreal) – Sky
June 24th – France (Paul Ricard) – Sky
July 1st – Austria (Red Bull Ring) – Channel 4 and Sky
July 8th – Britain (Silverstone) – Channel 4 and Sky
July 22nd – Germany (Hockenheim) – Sky
July 29th – Hungary (Budapest) – Sky
August 26th – Belgium (Spa) – Channel 4 and Sky
September 2nd – Italy (Monza) – Sky
September 16th – Singapore (Marina Bay) – Channel 4 and Sky
September 30th – Russia (Sochi) – Sky
October 7th – Japan (Suzuka) – Channel 4 and Sky
October 21st – USA (Circuit of the Americas) – Channel 4 and Sky
October 28th – Mexico (Mexico City) – Sky
November 11th – Brazil (Interlagos) – Sky
November 25th – Abu Dhabi (Yas Marina) – Channel 4 and Sky

The return of the French Grand Prix will air exclusively live on Sky Sports F1, whether it will go up against England versus Panama is something that should be confirmed one way or the other in forthcoming weeks.

Channel 4’s Head of F1, Stephen Lyle said: “We’re set for another compelling, action packed season and viewers can follow the whole story on C4, All4 and @C4F1. Once again the most iconic races are available Live and free to air as well as the season finale, with all fans hoping this one goes right to the wire.”

Sky’s new Head of F1, Scott Young said: “There is huge anticipation this year; can Hamilton create even more history, how will Ferrari and Red Bull close the gap, where will the young drivers emerge in the reckoning? Each season we look to find new ways to improve the coverage and entertain our viewers and this year will be no different.”

There are no significant pieces of news other than the schedule to come out of either side, other than Sky referencing Formula Two, GP3 and The F1 Report as usual. Channel 4’s press release confirms that they will continue to offer their live races advert free from lights out to chequered flag.

Sky’s line-up appears to be broadly the same as previous years. Although not mentioned, expect Simon Lazenby to return as presenter alongside the likes of Martin Brundle, David Croft, Ted Kravitz and Anthony Davidson. Earlier suggestions of Johnny Herbert leaving Sky appear to have not come to fruition.

Over on Channel 4, Steve Jones continues to anchor the team, with David Coulthard, Mark Webber, Suzi Wolff and Eddie Jordan providing analysis. Ben Edwards will again lead the commentary team, whilst Lee McKenzie will rove the pit lane at most races.

Compared with my predictions post, 13 out of the 21 races were correctly predicted. The stretch from Azerbaijan through to Germany was spot on, eight races in a row, as was the final hurdle from USA onwards, four races in a row! Even I admitted writing the post that the idea of Channel 4 picking Australia was “highly unlikely”, but went for it anyway.

What it does mean that the Australian Grand Prix last aired live on free-to-air television in the UK in 2011, a shame in my view and one reason Formula 1’s viewing figures have struggled off the line in recent years. In any event, we can safely say that unless anything changes, 2018 will be the final year every race, excluding Britain, airs live, free-to-air in the UK.

Scheduling: The 2018 Santiago E-Prix / Race of Champions

The Formula E season moves to South America and its first visit to Chile for the Santiago E-Prix!

For UK viewers, the championship gets the short straw. The race is not live on Channel 5, largely because it would rate significantly lower than their usual line-up, meaning live coverage airs on 5Spike.

Surprisingly, Channel 5 are not airing delayed highlights either, so the only opportunity for viewers to watch the Chile round in a timely fashion is through 5Spike or Eurosport 2. Formula E moves from Eurosport’s main channel due to live snooker from Germany. So next weekend will be a low rating one for Formula E, more so than usual.

Elsewhere, Sky Sports F1 have secured the Race of Champions event for the third time running (following 2015 and 2017). Although unconfirmed, I suspect Channel 4 will again broadcast highlights in mid-March. Andrew Coley and Neil Cole are providing commentary, with David Croft and Jennie Gow reporting from the paddock.

Formula E – Santiago (online via YouTube)
03/02 – 10:55 to 11:55 – Practice 1
03/02 – 13:25 to 14:10 – Practice 2

Formula E – Santiago
03/02 – 14:45 to 16:10 – Qualifying (5Spike)
03/02 – 18:00 to 20:15 (Eurosport 2)
=> 18:00 – Preview
=> 18:15 – Qualifying [tape delay]
=> 19:00 – Race
03/02 – 18:30 to 20:20 – Race (5Spike)

Race of Champions – Riyadh (Sky Sports F1)
02/02 – 17:00 to 20:00 – Race of Champions (also Sky Sports Main Event until 19:30)
03/02 – 13:00 to 16:00 – Nations Cup (also Sky Sports Mix)

The above schedule will be amended if anything changes.

Scott Young appointed Sky’s new Head of F1

Sky have appointed Scott Young as their new Head of Formula 1, succeeding Martin Turner in the role. Market intelligence site Sportcal revealed the news before Christmas, and I have independently confirmed the story with various sources during the past week.

The name will be unfamiliar to most readers as Young’s career, until this point, has largely been associated with Australian motor sports. Young’s broadcasting career spans well over three decades, concentrating on motor sport television production from the late 1990’s onwards with Network Ten.

In 2011, he became Head of Television with V8 Supercars, bringing in what is known as the “hamburger cam” and high-definition coverage to the sport. He left the role at the end of 2015, with V8 Supercars undergoing a behind the scenes overhaul affecting more than just Young.

A little over two years later, and Young is now heading to the UK, to work on Sky’s Formula 1 coverage. Speaking about Young to this site, Sky’s F1 lead commentator David Croft said “I’m really excited by Scott coming in. He’s got a wealth of experience in motor sport coverage, working over in Australia with the V8s and Formula 1 quite a long time ago. He’s very well connected, knows people in the paddock, and has some great ideas for 2018.”

“Martin [Turner] was a brilliant boss, and I think Scott will be a brilliant boss as well. Sky have taken their time to choose the right man to come into what is a very important job, as the Head of F1. He’ll get everyone’s support and backing and I think he’ll do a bloody good job,” Croft continued.

Young arrives at Sky during an interesting period, as Sky look to produce their F1 output from their Osterley base instead of on-site at the race track, a technique known in the industry as ‘remote production‘.

Croft praises outgoing Head of F1
Sky’s outgoing Formula 1 chief Martin Turner held the reins from inception at the end of 2011, through to the middle of last season. And speaking to me during the Autosport Show, Croft believes that Turner’s initial moves to bring the squad together helped immensely in the long-term.

“Martin put together the team in a genius way, of very different people, all of whom I think are very good at what they’re doing, none of whom actually want to do what anyone else is doing. All of whom get along with each other like friends, almost like a family. I hope that comes out on-air, if we’re mucking about on-air, or cracking gags at each other, that’s what we do off-air as well.”

“There’s no pretence, we’re just a happy bunch of people travelling the world doing something we really love. Martin and the producers brought together creative people, hard-working people, talented people,” Croft added.

“It’s the best team I’ve ever worked with. Things have changed a bit since the first race, some staff have left, some have come in. There’s no conflict or friction behind the scenes, and I think that’s really important for the show.”