BBC ups F1 coverage for 2013 season
March 6, 2013
Formula 1 practice sessions will be broadcast live on the BBC this season from grands prix which the network is showing live.
There will be around 40 extra hours of output, with practice generally shown on BBC Two and the soon to be launched BBC Two HD.
BBC One and BBC One HD will show nine live races, including those in Canada, Great Britain and Brazil, with extended highlights of the remaining races.
Live grands prix will continue to be followed by the F1 Forum on the red button.
Radio 5 live will broadcast every grand prix live, with the show also live on the BBC Sport website.
The BBC Sport website will broadcast a simulcast of the TV and radio output, and at live races will also have the ‘driver tracker’, on-board cameras and a pit-lane stream.
Ben Gallop, BBC’s head of Formula 1, said: “Everyone on the BBC team is hugely excited about the new season. Last year saw us rise to the challenge of bringing the action to fans through the mix of live television and highlights, delivering great programmes which were reflected in impressive audience figures.”
“This year sees new faces, practice on BBC Two & HD on live race weekends and a greater sharing of talent across BBC television, radio and online.”
Coverage of the F1 season will also be available on the new BBC Sport smartphone app, available for iPhone and Android devices. The app brings together BBC Sport’s live and on-demand video coverage, along with news, features and stats.