BBC expands live, web coverage of Formula 1
2013 is set to see an increased live presence for F1 on BBC network television, amounting to an extra 40 hours of live network television coverage with practice sessions live on BBC Two and BBC Two HD on live race weekends.
BBC One and BBC One HD will broadcast nine live races (including Canada, Spain, Britain and Brazil) with extended highlights programmes of the remaining races. Live Grands Prix will be followed by the F1 Forum on the red button.
Web users, meanwhile, will have a choice of different ways to watch the action for live races: simulcast of the television output, the ‘driver-tracker’, on-board cameras and a pit lane stream. Live text commentary will also be available of all on-track action through the season, from practice through to race day. Also on the website, motorsport legend Murray Walker will be providing a series of archive-based videos for every race of the season in the ‘Murray’s Memories’ series.
Coverage of the F1 season is now available on the new BBC Sport smartphone app, available for iPhone and Android devices. The app brings together the BBC Sport’s live and on-demand video coverage, along with the latest news, features and stats. Users of other mobile devices can access the BBC Sport’s mobile website.
The BBC has also announced several new faces for the presenting team. Former F1 driver Allan McNish will join BBC Radio 5 live for at least six Grands Prix this season as an expert analyst. F1 journalist and broadcaster Tom Clarkson joins the television presentation team for the full season as a pit lane reporter, while Suzi Perry will anchor the full season for television.
Ben Edwards again leads the television commentary with David Coulthard as co-commentator and expert pundit, and Eddie Jordan as chief analyst. Lee McKenzie heads the pit lane team for television and this year Gary Anderson’s technical analyst role will work across television, radio and online. James Allen returns as Radio 5 live F1 correspondent and commentator with Jennie Gow as pit lane reporter.
Ben Gallop, BBC’s head of Formula 1, says: “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. 2013 sees new faces, practice on BBC Two and HD on live race weekends and a greater sharing of talent across BBC television, radio and online. With Suzi Perry at the helm, we’re aiming to bring even more content, insight and access to audiences throughout the season.”