F1: UK TV viewership down by 8.6m in 2019
Robert Kubica joins Alfa Romeo as reserve driver and Mark Webber tips Lewis Hamilton to equal title record
UK TV viewership ‘crashes’ in 2019
The Independent reports that Formula 1 lost 8.6m television viewers in the United Kingdom during the 2019 season.
Last year 20 of the 21 races were exclusively live in the UK on Sky Sports, with Channel 4 showing highlights of all races and live coverage of only one grand prix, the British GP in July.
According to data released by the Broadcasters’ Audience Research Board, Channel 4’s highlights were watched by a “cumulative total of 34.7 million viewers [in 2019], which is a staggering 10.8m less than in 2018”, says the Independent.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sky Sports’s audience increased by 2.2m viewers to 20.1m, but despite these numbers the total UK viewership was down by 13.6% to 54.8m.
Independent journalist Christian Sylt said: “Not only did Channel 4’s audience crash, but Sky failed to compensate for it.
“The number of viewers of some races on Sky’s dedicated F1 channel was actually down on 2018 despite it having exclusive rights to show all but one of them live.”
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise, balanced take on the week’s news - try The Week magazine. Start your trial today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Webber tips Hamilton and Ferrari for titles
Ex-F1 driver Mark Webber has backed Lewis Hamilton to equal Michael Schumacher’s record and win his seventh world championship in 2020.
Webber, who formerly drove for Red Bull Racing, has also tipped Charles Leclerc and Ferrari to break Mercedes’s domination to win the constructors’ championship.
Speaking to Formule 1, Webber said: “At least Charles Leclerc and Sebastian Vettel can score regularly. For the constructors’ championship, Ferrari may look good, although I think Lewis will still show his superiority in the driver classification over a whole season.
“We don’t even have to talk about [Max] Verstappen anymore. He is now an established name and is on fire!
“I look forward to seeing Hamilton match Michael Schumacher’s seven world titles by 2020 while having to deal with Leclerc and Verstappen.”
Kubica joins Alfa Romeo as reserve driver
After leaving Williams at the end of last year Robert Kubica will stay in F1 as reserve driver at Alfa Romeo for the 2020 season.
F1.com reports that Kubica’s arrival at Alfa Romeo coincides with the Swiss team signing a co-title sponsorship deal with Polish petroleum company Orlen.
Pole Kubica, who formerly drove for the Swiss team when it was known as BMW-Sauber, said: “I am really happy to be starting this new chapter in my career as I join Alfa Romeo Racing Orlen.
“This team holds a special place in my heart and I am pleased to see some faces still here from my years in Hinwil. Time and circumstances are obviously different, but I am convinced that I will find the same determination and hunger to succeed.
“I am looking forward to helping Alfa Romeo Racing Orlen make the next step forward.”
Kimi Raikkonen and Antonio Giovinazzi will be Alfa Romeo’s driver line-up for 2020.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise, balanced take on the week’s news - try The Week magazine. Start your trial today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
How to make the most of your leftover pumpkins
The Week Recommends As the Halloween fun wraps up, snap up pumpkins still on sale and don't leave your jack-o-lanterns to rot
By Tess Foley-Cox Published
-
How Harris and Trump differ on education
The Explainer Trump wants to disband the Department of Education. Harris wants to boost teacher pay.
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
How to minimize capital gains tax on investments
The Explainer It can take a chunk out of your profits
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published
-
Christian Horner and the Red Bull saga that refuses to go away
Why everyone's talking about 'Too dizzy-making' even for the 'merry-go-round world of F1'
By The Week UK Published
-
Max Verstappen: F1’s record-breaking world champion
Why Everyone’s Talking About Red Bull star has surpassed records set by Schumacher, Vettel and Hamilton
By Mike Starling Published
-
F1 ‘silly season’ hits top speed as 2023 grid takes shape
Under the Radar Twitter explodes with news of driver moves, denials and rumours
By Mike Starling Published
-
Lewis Hamilton on his F1 future: ‘I have plenty of fuel in the tank’
Under the Radar Seven-time world champion finished second on his 300th grand prix start
By Mike Starling Published
-
F1: a bumpy start to the season for Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton and George Russell
Under the Radar Only four races in and Mercedes already look off the pace
By The Week Staff Published
-
F1 Bahrain GP reactions: Ferrari ‘back with a bang’ as Leclerc ‘tames the beast’
feature The Tifosi celebrate a stunning one-two for Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz
By Mike Starling Published
-
F1 2022 season guide: race calendar, championship standings and 2023 grid
feature Max Verstappen has now won 14 of this season’s 20 grands prix
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Mason Greenwood: footballer arrested on suspicion of rape and assault
Speed Read Man Utd confirm the striker will not train or play until further notice
By The Week Staff Published