BBC to show FIA Formula E Championship live for first time

The BBC will show all Formula E Championship season five races live on the BBC Sport website, BBC iPlayer and BBC red button after picking up the UK rights to the electric-car street racing competition. 

Nelson Piquet Jr. at the front of the queue for the British-backed manufacturer Panasonic Jaguar Racing during Formula E pre-season testing in Valencia

The new deal starts on December 15 with the Saudi Arabian E-Prix in Ad Diriyah.

Alongside the online and digital coverage, one E-Prix will also be transmitted live on BBC television.

Ali Russell, media and business development director at Formula E, said: “The ABB FIA Formula E Championship will continue to be broadcast to the masses and across a variety of platforms in the UK. It’s imperative that Formula E remained on a free-to-air network in such an important territory and key market for motorsport. What better place to showcase some of the best and most competitive racing than on the BBC.

“We’re fully-charged and ready for the new season on the streets of the most recognisable cities – and this year promises to be more intense and unpredictable than ever,” Russell added.

Barbara Slater, director of BBC Sport, who will be speaking at SVG Europe’s FutureSPORT event on 29 November, said: “It’s great news that live motorsport is returning to our screens at the BBC. I’ve no doubt the upcoming season will bring with it some exciting wheel-to-wheel moments and we can’t wait for it to begin.”