Sky Sports has won the FIA award for best Formula 1 coverage for the second year running.
The prize from the sport’s governing body for ‘Best TV Broadcaster Award for Outstanding Coverage’ recognises the outstanding international broadcaster for breadth and quality of its Formula 1 coverage during a season.
The award was presented by Bernie Ecclestone, the long-standing CEO of Formula One Management (FOM), at the 2013 FIA Prize Giving Ceremony in Paris.
Sky has now won the award for both years that Sky Sports F1, its dedicated Formula 1 channel, has been covering the sport.
It is also the third year in a row that a UK broadcaster has claimed the top broadcasting prize after the BBC won the same award in 2011.
Sky Sports F1’s comprehensive coverage of all 19 races in 2013 was anchored by Simon Lazenby with commentary led by Martin Brundle and David Croft.
Famous names such as Damon Hill, Anthony Davidson and Johnny Herbert have been providing regular expert analysis throughout the year, while reporters from Natalie Pinkham and Ted Kravitz kept viewers informed with all the news, views and gossip from the pit-lane.
On winning the FIA broadcasting award for the second year in succession, commentator Martin Brundle paid tribute to members of the Sky F1 production team.
“This second consecutive award for Sky Sports F1 recognises the impressive creativity and passion of a great team of men and women who work tirelessly behind the cameras and mixing and editing galleries. It’s a pleasure to work with them.”
As well as live coverage of all Grands Prix and every practice and qualifying session in the 2013 season, Sky Sports F1 HD viewers have also enjoyed additional Formula 1 programming.
This includes The F1 Show, as well as Ted Kravitz’s Qualifying and Race Notebook and new episodes in the Legends of F1 series with veteran sports presenter Steve Rider.
In addition Sky Sports News HD, skysports.com and @SkySportsF1 have provided breaking news and in-depth coverage throughout the season.
While Sky F1’s ratings have dropped this year largely thanks to Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull’s complete domination during the second half of the season, the broadcaster has introduced a number of innovations to its coverage in its head-to-head battle with the BBC.
Among these included a world-first in February with live coverage of the third winter test in Barcelona, which was also shown in 3D, the first time that F1 had been shown in this format.
Once the season began, many of the drivers from up and down the paddock replayed and scrutinised their own laps live on air with Sky F1 analsys on the new outdoor paddock touch screen.
With Pit Wall Live, commentators David Croft and Martin Brundle were able to regularly speak live to a team’s pit wall and team principals, while Trackside with Martin Brundle brought the former driver’s expert analysis during practice.
After the race, commentator David Croft answered fans questions via Twitter live on the red button, with #AskCrofty being a regular top UK trending topic on a Sunday post Grand Prix in 2013.
Barney Francis, managing director of Sky Sports, said: “To win this award twice in two years is a great honour and recognition for the incredible hard work of our Sky Sports F1 production team.
“The award reflects the passion we have for innovation, creativity and production standards, not just in Formula 1 but across all our sports.
“We aim to provide the best quality coverage as well as best set of rights and we’re very proud to receive such recognition.”
Martin Turner, executive producer for Sky Sports F1, added: “Formula 1 is a sport with passionate and knowledgeable fans that deserve the ultimate coverage.
“If you’re not at the Grand Prix, we want Sky Sports F1 to be the next best place to be.
“This award gives us another reason to keep improving and we’re working on several exciting ideas for next season.”
Sky Sports F1 will continue to be on the air throughout the winter with regular programming, including season reviews, interviews and new features, as well as coverage of the build-up to the 2014 season, including test sessions in February.
Details of which 2014 races will be televised exclusively by Sky Sports, as well as the races to be broadcast live free-to-air on the BBC, is expected in the coming weeks.
