ESPN expands F1 coverage on main channels for 2023

ESPN will show a record number of Formula 1 races live on the ABC and ESPN channels this season, with 18 of the 23 rounds getting the billing as interest continues to grow.

The broadcaster has held the rights to F1 in the United States since 2018 and has been expanding its offering in that time, recording 2022 as the sport’s most-viewed season ever on US television. A new three-year deal begins this season and with commercial-free telecasts continuing, ESPN will broadcast 18 of the races on ABC or ESPN, with the Monaco Grand Prix being shown live on ABC for the first time.

More Formula 1

McNish takes on Audi F1 racing director role

Turkish Grand Prix to return to F1 calendar in 2027

Brown says Horner F1 return would be a positive, more A-B teams not so much

Also on ABC will be the races in Miami, Canada, Mexico and Austin, with the 13 ESPN races also a new high. The remaining five rounds will be broadcast on ESPN2, while there is also a simulcast for 18 races on ESPN+.

This year ESPN will have pre- and post-race coverage on SportsCenter, while there will be an increased focus on qualifying throughout the 2023 season, with the majority of qualifying sessions airing on ESPN or ESPN 2 during the year.

F1 enjoyed its first ever season in US television history to average one million or more viewers per race last year, and ESPN will continue to utilize its partnership with Sky Sports for its coverage, starting with this weekend’s Bahrain Grand Prix.

Topics

espn

Formula 1

Chris Medland

While studying Sports Journalism at the University of Central Lancashire, Chris managed to talk his way into working at the British Grand Prix in 2008 and was retained for three years before joining ESPN F1 as Assistant Editor. After three further years at ESPN, a spell as F1 Editor at Crash Media Group was followed by the major task of launching F1i.com’s English-language website and running it as Editor. Present at every race since the start of 2014, he has continued building his freelance portfolio, working with international titles. As well as writing for RACER, his broadcast work includes television appearances on F1 TV and as a presenter and reporter on North America's live radio coverage on SiriusXM.

Read Chris Medland's articles