F1 fans in the United Kingdom will be able to catch up with all the action on free-to-air television until 2026 with Sky Sports and Channel 4 announcing an extension to its existing partnership. Channel 4 took over the terrestrial TV rights from BBC starting in 2016 and offers highlights of qualifying sessions, Sprint races and Grands Prix for free. The British Grand Prix is also broadcast in its entirety, with every practice session also live on the channel as part of the deal with Sky Sports. But full live coverage of the full F1 season will remain behind a paywall for the foreseeable future with Sky retaining the exclusive live rights, though the new deal offers security for fans wishing to keep up to speed with the fast-paced sport. Confirming the deal ahead of the British GP weekend, a social media post read: "Sky and Channel 4 have extended their long-standing partnership ensuring motorsport fans across the UK will continue to enjoy free-to-air Formula 1 coverage through to 2026. "Highlights of all Formula 1 qualifying, sprint and Grand Prix races will be available on Channel 4 whilst Sky will continue to show exclusive live coverage of all practice laps, qualifying, sprint and Grand Prix races throughout the next three years."
Thrilled to strike deal
Channel 4 Chief Executive Alex Mahon said: “We’re thrilled to have struck another Formula 1 deal with Sky and are delighted to once again bring UK audiences Formula 1 for free. "The partnership between Channel 4 and Sky benefits the British public and allows everyone to get into the sport, brings in new fans and ensures Formula 1 gets much wider reach and prominence with British audiences. "Just like British fans I love that unique Formula 1 combination of engineering technology, personal humanity, glittering glamour and unbelievable race tension.” Stephen van Rooyen, Sky UK & Ireland CEO, added: “Together with Channel 4 we’ve shared some of the most iconic moments in sporting history and our relationship is as strong as ever. "The length and nature of this deal shows Sky’s deep commitment to help increase the reach of Formula 1 and continue to support one of the most exhilarating, and fastest growing sports in the world.”
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