BBC Reveal Formula 1 coverage details

The BBC have revealed their Formula 1 2013 line up across television, radio, online and mobile. This year will see an increased live presence for F1 on network television plus some new faces on the BBC presentation team.

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.”

Suzi Perry, Allan McNish and Tom Clarkson join BBC this year Extra 40 hours of live network television coverage with practice sessions now live on BBC Two and BBC Two HD on live race weekends Giving audiences ‘F1 on the go’ via the BBC Sport smartphone app and mobile BBC Sport website.

“With Suzi Perry at the helm, we’re aiming to bring even more content, insight and access to audiences throughout the season.” adds Gallop.

Former F1 driver Allan McNish will join BBC Radio 5 live for at least six Grands Prix this season as an expert analyst; his first appearance will be in Barcelona. F1 journalist and broadcaster Tom Clarkson joins the television presentation team for the full season as a pit lane reporter. They complete the 2013 line up along with the recently announced Suzi Perry, who will anchor the full season for television.

Ben Edwards once 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.

There will be approximately an additional 40 hours of network television output, with practice sessions shown live on the weekends of live Grands Prix on BBC Two and BBC Two HD. BBC One and BBC One HD will show 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 ever-popular F1 Forum on the red button.

Race weekends on the BBC start on Thursday nights on Radio 5 live with 5 live Formula 1 previewing every race, featuring guests, interviews and insight to kick start fans’ Grand Prix weekend. Every Grand Prix of the season will be live on radio with live coverage of practice and qualifying.

Andrew Benson heads the online reporting team for the BBC Sport website with all the news, interviews and stories. Web users 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: ‘Murray’s Memories’ are his personal recollections of some of the greatest moments in the history of F1.

Coverage of the F1 season is now available on our 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.

Lee McKenzie presents Inside F1 on the BBC News Channel from the trackside each Friday and Saturday of live race weekends, bringing the latest news and interviews from each Grand Prix.

BBC Radio 5 live’s Formula 1 coverage is produced by USP Content.

[Reported by Mike Watkins]