F1 announce British Grand Prix to remain on free-to-air TV in great news for racing fans

The British Grand Prix will continue to be shown live on free-to-air television after Channel 4 announced a new deal with Sky Sports.

Sky bought the exclusive rights to all of F1 in 2016 in a deal that runs until 2024, meaning fans would have to pay to subscribe for all but one race.

But in a newly-announced multi-year deal, Channel 4 will continue to show the British Grand Prix weekend in its entirety.

All three practice sessions, qualifying and the race will be aired.

Channel 4 will also continue to have highlights of every race, as they currently do.

Alex Mahon, the Channel 4 CEO, said: “Channel 4 has established itself as the go-to channel for free to air television coverage of Formula 1 and we’re thrilled that motorsport fans will be able to continue to enjoy the excitement of F1 through our highlights of all the races and live coverage of the British Grand Prix.”

The 2020 season will comprise of 22 races for the first time ever, with the Vietnamese Grand Prix – taking place on a Hanoi street circuit – a new addition.

The Dutch Grand Prix is also back after 35 years away, with a legion of Max Verstappen fans set to fill the grandstands at the Zandvoort track.

The German Grand Prix, however, is absent after consecutive years at the Hockenheimring.

Lewis Hamilton will hope to go into next season as the reigning world champion as he eyes a sixth title.

The Brit boasts a 63-point lead over team-mate Valtteri Bottas in the standings, with the Finn 36 points ahead of Verstappen.

Hamilton’s eight race wins this year includes a triumph at his home grand prix, with the 33-year-old victorious at Silverstone on a record sixth occasion.

He has only been more successful at the Canadian and Hungarian circuits, having been a seven-time winner at both tracks. 

F1 returns this weekend at the Singapore Grand Prix in round 15 of the 21-race season.

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc has won the last two races in Belgium and Italy and is just three points behind third-placed Verstappen in the drivers’ standings.

In the constructors’ championship, Mercedes are a massive 154 points clear of Ferrari as they seek a seventh straight title.

source: express.co.uk