Sky Sports F1

Sky Sports F1 is a British pay television sports channel owned by Sky Group . Part of the Sky Sports networks, it broadcasts motorsport coverage, with a particular focus on Formula One , including live coverage of all practices, qualifying sessions, and races, as well as studio programmes and archive content. The channel also carries coverage of other open-wheel racing competitions outside of F1, including the Formula 2 championship and the United States' IndyCar Series .

Background

The BBC had exclusive UK F1 rights from 2009 until the end of the 2013 season, [ 2 ] having regained the rights from ITV . However, a new broadcast rights deal was announced on 29 July 2011, stating that Sky Sports would cover all races live. [ 3 ] The BBC continued to broadcast half of the races live including the British Grand Prix and final race. It also allowed the BBC to show highlights of all races. [ 4 ] [ 5 ] In November 2011, Sky announced the new dedicated F1 channel would launch in Ma...

On 21 December 2015, it was announced that the BBC would be ending its television broadcast rights three seasons early after the 2015 season with its rights to 10 live races and highlights of all 21 races going to Channel 4 . However, BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra would continue to broadcast live commentary of the whole season until the 2021 season. [ 8 ]

Availability

Sky Sports F1 HD on the Sky platform was available to new and existing customers before 1 April 2013 providing they subscribed to the HD pack. [ 12 ] Existing subscribers to all of the Sky Sports channels without the HD pack received a standard definition version. [ 13 ] Virgin Media and Smallworld Cable offer the standard definition version of the channel to Sky Sports subscribers, it is not available separately. [ 14 ] [ 15 ] The HD version of the channel was made available to Virgin Media cus...

Since 18 July 2017, new Sky TV customers are able to purchase the channel as a standalone channel, or as part of a larger Sky Sports package. [ 16 ]

Since 2017, Sky Sports F1 has broadcast Formula 1 in 4K UHD .

Formula One

The light-hand Sky simulcast on ESPN and ABC has been credited with an increase of ratings and acclaim for the series in the United States, along with the sale of domestic sponsorships for pre and post-race programming and within virtual advertising on the course during racing and qualification. [ 21 ]

Formula One

The 2012 season started on 16 March (live practice) from the Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit , Australia . Sky Sports broadcast every practice session, qualifying session and race live. The season passed 19 countries on the way. Formula One visited places as diverse as China, Bahrain , Belgium, Italy, and also United States for a Grand Prix taking place in Austin, Texas at the brand new Circuit of the Americas . The season came to an end at the 2012 Brazilian Grand Prix on 25 November 2012.

On 7 March 2012, Sky Sports F1 revealed its theme tune for the 2012 season, " Just Drive " by Alistair Griffin , which has been re-recorded with the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra and Rodolfus Choir . [ 22 ] [ 23 ] The 43-second opening credits feature archive footage of former world champions and memorable F1 moments from 32 Grands Prix between 1950 and 2011. The theme tune was also used on The F1 Show and for Classic F1 . 2014 saw a rearrangement of the theme to go with updated titles. Sky's or...

Coverage

Beginning 2019, Sky Sports holds exclusive rights to all races excluding the British Grand Prix. In September 2018, it was announced that Channel 4 had agreed to a sub-licensing agreement with Sky, under which it will broadcast free-to-air highlights of all races, and live coverage of the British Grand Prix. As a condition of the deal, Channel 4 agreed to give Sky the right to carry full series of its drama programming (including its curated foreign dramas collection Walter Presents ) on its on-...

In December 2021, with the season-long title contenders Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton tied on points after the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix , Sky Sports announced a partnership with Channel 4 to show live race day coverage from the title-deciding round in Abu Dhabi free-to-air . [ 33 ]

Presentation and commentary team

The presentation team currently (as of March 2025) consists of: [ 34 ]

During testing commentary is normally shared between Sky Sports and Channel 4/F1TV, with main commentator Alex Jacques and co-commentator Jolyon Palmer , with strategy analyst Ruth Buscombe , pit lane reporters Ariana Bravo and Lawrence Barretto .

Support races

In February 2012, it was announced that Sky Sports F1 would also broadcast the GP2 and GP3 series live. These series were eventually rebranded as the FIA Formula 2 Championship and the FIA Formula 3 Championship respectively [ 36 ]

Sky Sports takes the FOM-provided world feed commentary for Formula 2 and Formula 3. Commentators include Alex Jacques , Alex Brundle and Harry Benjamin . [ 37 ] Previously, Jacques has been joined by 2012 GP2 champion Davide Valsecchi for F2 events. Johnny Herbert , Rosanna Tennant and Alice Powell have also previously reported or commentated on Formula 2 and Formula 3.

Programming

The first programme to air on Sky Sports F1 was its weekly magazine show; The F1 Show . Initially presented by Georgie Thompson and Ted Kravitz (apart from the launch show, which was presented by Simon Lazenby ), then by Kravitz and Natalie Pinkham , as of the 2014 season, it is presented by Natalie Pinkham or Rachel Brookes with contributions from David Croft, Paul di Resta/Anthony Davidson, Johnny Herbert/Damon Hill. The programme has not featured in the 2020 schedule.

The F1 Show returned for the 2021 season, replacing F1 Report , broadcast live on Sky Sports F1 and YouTube. It is presented by members of the coverage team at the track, usually fronted by Natalie Pinkham or Rachel Brookes. It features interviews with drivers, analysis and challenges. In 2021, it was broadcast on Thursday evening but moved to Friday evening after Formula 1 rescheduled its weekend layout. [ 43 ]

Presented by Natalie Pinkham or Rachel Brookes and regular analyst Marc Priestley [ fi ] .

In the week before or after a race, the programme looks in further depth at some of the stories and incidents that featured or may feature in race weekends. This series has been replaced by Welcome to the Weekend, a Thursday race weekend show with a similar format. It no longer features Marc Priestley.

Welcome to the Weekend, from the start of the 2020 season, was broadcast directly before the First Practice session on Fridays. The programme did not feature in the 2021 schedule, replaced by a relaunched The F1 Show .

Coverage

A topical show presented by Ted Kravitz . It was retitled The Notebook for 2020 and followed the race programme on Sunday only. Since 2021, it has followed most qualifying, sprint and race programmes, and is sometimes referred to as Ted's Notebook on the EPG and when uploaded onto YouTube in the evening after being aired. [ 44 ]

Features

Sky Sports have a device called the 'Sky Pad', used by Anthony Davidson, Karun Chandhok, Ted Kravitz and others. It is used to show highlights.

Criticisms, controversies and errors

It was reported that, on 18 March 2012, BSkyB chief executive Jeremy Darroch ordered a news story on a plan to sell a stake of F1's parent company and shake-up commercial deals published the previous day to be removed from the Sky News website, subject to a review. [ 81 ] It was alleged that the move came after Sky Sports F1 executive producer Martin Turner complained that it had upset seven of the twelve Formula One teams ahead of the Australian Grand Prix . [ 82 ] The story was republished the...

At the 2022 Mexico City Grand Prix , it was reported that Max Verstappen and Red Bull would boycott interviews from Sky Sports F1, following comments made by presenter Ted Kravitz, claiming Lewis Hamilton was "robbed" of the 2021 Formula One World Drivers' Championship after mistakenly proclaiming him an "eight-time World Champion". [ 84 ] Christian Horner described his comments as “the straw that broke the camel’s back”. [ 85 ] Red Bull ended their boycott of Sky Sports F1 ahead of the 2022 São...

Quick Facts

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Table 1

Name	Appearances	Job
Simon Lazenby	Most races	Host and presenter of most live build-ups, post-race analysis and the opening practice session.
David Croft	All races (2012–23) Most races (2024-present)	Main commentator on most practice sessions, qualifying and races and the host of #AskCrofty. He previously covered F1 on BBC Radio 5 Live from 2006 to 2011. He also contributes to The F1 Show.[35]
Karun Chandhok	Most races	Former HRT, Lotus F1 driver throughout 2010–2011. Initially worked for Sky Sports F1 from 2012 to 2014 before leaving to join Channel 4 before returning to Sky Sports F1 from 2019. Analysis at selected races and sessions and pitlane reporter. One of the secondary co-commentators for qualifying and the race if Brundle is absent.
Natalie Pinkham	Most races	Initially only the driver interviewer (a role she previously held on BBC Radio 5 Live in 2011), sometimes host of The F1 Show and previously the final practice session on Saturdays. Conducts driver parade interviews at selected races. Also commentates on select F1 sessions and is the main presenter when Lazenby is absent.
Rachel Brookes	Most races	Sky Sports News reporter who previously interviewed the drivers for Paddock Uncut on Thursdays and provides F1 news reports. She takes turns to co-host The F1 Show, F1 Report[35] and the final practice session on Saturdays. Conducts driver parade interviews at selected races.
Craig Slater	Selected races	Sky Sports News reporter who previously interviewed the drivers for Paddock Uncut on Thursdays and currently provides F1 news reports.
Martin Brundle	Most races	Former F1 driver and tester. Co-commentator for qualifying and race day for the majority of races, Brundle also provides analysis and reporting of practice, qualifying and races, in addition to the pre-race grid-walk. He previously covered F1 on ITV between 1997 and 2008 and on the BBC from 2009 to 2011.
Jamie Chadwick	Selected races	Three time W Series champion and 2024 Indy NXT driver . Chadwick will also race in the European Le Mans series during 2025.
Anthony Davidson	Selected races	Former F1 driver for Super Aguri, BAR and Minardi. Also ex-test driver for the Honda and Mercedes F1 teams. Recently retired sports car driver and 2014 World Endurance Champion after a previous stint with Peugeot and Toyota. Co-commentator during practice sessions and analyst for selected race events.
Nico Rosberg	Selected races	2016 Drivers World Champion and multiple race winner. Drove for Williams and Mercedes between 2006 and 2016 before announcing an early retirement. Provides analysis on a selection of races throughout the year and was a co-commentator on one race in 2021. Also works for RTL in Germany and Sky Italia's F1 coverage.

Table 2

Series	Date	Host	Experts	Guests	Location
2	15 October 2024	Matt Baker	Jenson Button	—	Videocall
2	22 October 2024	Matt Baker	Ted Kravitz Tom McCluskey	—	Videocall
2	29 October 2024	Matt Baker	Damon Hill Nigel Chiu	—	Videocall
2	5 November 2024	Matt Baker	Karun Chandhok Bernie Collins	—	Videocall
2	12 November 2024	Matt Baker	Martin Brundle	—	Sky Studios, Osterley
2	19 November 2024	Matt Baker	David Croft Tom Bellingham	—	Videocall
2	26 November 2024	Matt Baker	Jenson Button	—	Videocall
2	3 December 2024	Matt Baker	Karun Chandhok Naomi Schiff	—	Videocall
2	10 December 2024	Matt Baker	Nico Rosberg Tom McCluskey	—	Videocall
2	17 December 2024	Matt Baker	Karun Chandhok Ted Kravitz	Will Joseph Tom Stallard Randy Singh	McLaren Technology Centre, Woking

Image Gallery

content image from Sky_Sports_F1

F1ABY Commentary

“Does the scent of burning rubber truly reveal a driver’s soul, or merely the limits of their machine?” Verstappen surged, a crimson streak against the muted grey of the Silverstone asphalt. The margins are shrinking, isn’t it? A subtle shift in the air pressure, a fraction of a second gained – it’s a relentless ballet of control, a desperate attempt to impose order on chaos. Look at Leclerc, a ghost of a smile playing on his lips, analyzing every micro-adjustment, every ghost of a chance. He’s a scholar of the track, meticulously dissecting the battlefield. Perhaps the greatest victories aren’t won on the road, but in the quiet moments of calculation, the unwavering focus. The pressure mounts, a tangible thing, and you sense the toll it takes. A fragile balance, perpetually threatened.

The rain hadn’t cared about strategy, not a drop of it. Fernando Alonso, a man sculpted from granite and relentless will, understood that perfectly – the greatest battles aren’t fought on the stopwatch, but in the soul of the driver, a truth etched into every calculated risk he’s ever taken. Tonight, at Imola, he was rewriting the narrative.

F1ABY Trivia

Here begins the chronicle. The rain, a bruised grey smear across the Tuscan sky, felt less like a deterrent and more like a hesitant plea. Verstappen, a young man wrestling with the immutable laws of physics – and perhaps, the weight of expectation – nursed his RB18 through the slick Tamburello chicane. The engine, a 1. 6-liter V6 turbo-hybrid, pulsed with restrained fury, a testament to Red Bull’s relentless pursuit of peak power output, yet the Michelin tyres screamed a discordant warning; a subtle imbalance between raw force and grip, a characteristic the team was meticulously mapping across every track. It was a ballet of calculated risk, a silent conversation between driver and machine, played out under the watchful eye of a nation.

Let’s begin. The rain, a bruised purple staining the asphalt, felt almost… deliberate. As if the circuit itself was attempting to erase the ambition of these men. Hamilton, a solitary figure in the gloom, wrestled with the McLaren’s capricious grip, a familiar dance of frustration. Thirty-seven times he’s tasted victory, a tally that whispers of an almost impossible destiny, yet here, on this sodden afternoon, the numbers seemed to mock him.

F1ABY Tales

The rain hadn’t relented, not a drop. Verstappen wrestled with the McLaren, a frantic ballet of throttle and wheel, the rear tires a screaming protest against the slick asphalt. A flicker of something – not quite fear, but a brittle awareness – crossed his face as Lando Norris, impossibly, pulled alongside in the Rettangolo. It wasn’t the overt aggression of a title fight; it was the quiet, insistent pressure of a driver willing to gamble everything on a single, audacious move. You could almost hear the whispers from Milton Keynes, the calculations, the adjustments, the relentless pursuit of perfection. This wasn't just about a podium; it was about proving a hypothesis, a desperate attempt to rewrite the narrative. The tension, thick and metallic, tasted of burnt rubber and shattered expectations. A gamble, certainly, but one born of a singular, unwavering belief.

The rain hadn’t bothered young Ayrton Senna. Not really. He’d spent his childhood wrestling with the capricious currents of the Rio Tietê, learning to read the shifting moods of the water, anticipating its sudden surges. A similar instinct, it seemed, governed his approach to Imola’s Tamburello chicane. He wasn’t fighting the track; he was dancing with it, a subtle shift of weight, a momentary relinquishment of grip – a ballet of precision honed over years. The crowd roared, a primal response to a man utterly at one with the machine and the rain. It was a dangerous beauty, this marriage of man and metal, a testament to a spirit utterly unbound. The tension, palpable, crackled with the promise of a victory snatched from the jaws of uncertainty. He was a force, undeniably.