The 2021 Formula 1 world championship showdown between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen will be broadcast live on free-to-air television, after Channel 4 secured an agreement with Sky Sports to simulcast live coverage of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday, 12 December.
The sport’s two leading drivers are level on points going into the season finale, with Hamilton on the brink of history as victory at the Yas Marina circuit would clinch him an eighth world title, confirming him as the greatest F1 driver of all time.
Now their winner-takes-all battle will be shown live and free-to-air on Channel 4, as well as on Sky Sports, after the two broadcaster’s struck a late deal that ensures the race can be seen the widest possible audience in the UK.
Under the terms of the deal, Channel 4’s presenting team of Steve Jones, David Coulthard, Mark Webber and Lee McKenzie will provide build-up for 15 minutes from 12pm on race day.
Then they will hand over to the Sky Sports F1 team for pre-race coverage from 12.15pm and for live and uninterrupted coverage of the race itself, which starts at 1pm, all of which will be simulcast on Channel 4 and online via All4.
After the podium ceremony, the Channel 4 team will return to give its instant reaction to the race, while the usual qualifying and race highlights programmes, produced by Whisper, will still be broadcast on Channel 4 across the weekend.
The arrangement means Channel 4 viewers will be guided through the dramatic title decider as it happens by the Sky Sports F1 team, which is led by presenter Simon Lazenby, alongside regulars Martin Brundle, Damon Hill, Jenson Button, Nico Rosberg, Karun Chandhok, Nat Pinkham, David Croft and Ted Kravitz.
Sky Sports F1 will show every aspect of the build-up to the big race across its platforms, including every practice session and qualifying, as both drivers aim to gain a crucial advantage before the chequered flag.
In addition, every session throughout the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend will be simulcast live on Sky Showcase, the broadcaster’s new free-to-view channel which is available at no extra cost to Sky and Virgin Media customers, as well as for non-Sky F1 subscribers on Sky Sports Main Event.
This latest last-minute Channel 4 deal follows recent similar arrangements made by the free-to-air broadcaster to cover major live sporting events of national significance.
In 2019, Channel 4 secured a deal with Sky to simulcast the ICC Cricket World Cup Final between England and New Zealand, while earlier this year, the broadcaster struck a deal with Prime Video to simulcast live coverage of Emma Raducanu’s US Open victory.
Commenting on the partnership with Sky, Alex Mahon, Channel 4’s Chief Executive, said:
“We are delighted that the whole nation will be able to watch what is set to be one of the most thrilling finales to an F1 season in living memory as Lewis strives to become the most crowned World Champion of all time.
“After bringing Test cricket to free to air television for the first time in more than a decade, and enabling millions to share the joy of Emma Raducanu’s US Open triumph, we are so pleased to be partnering with Sky to enable the widest possible audience to share this historic sporting moment.”
Thanks largely to this compelling world championship battle, Sky Sports’ F1 coverage has recorded strong viewing figures throughout the season, with the penultimate race in Saudi Arabia watched by a peak audience of 2.7m viewers.
Stephen van Rooyen, Sky UK and Europe’s chief Executive Officer, said:
“Sunday’s Grand Prix is one of the biggest sporting events in the last decade, and could be an historic moment for British sport. We’ve chosen to gift the race to the whole country at Christmas through our partnership with Channel 4, so everyone can be part of a huge national moment as Lewis Hamilton goes for a historic eighth World Championship title.
“The brilliant Sky Sports Formula 1 team will give viewers on Channel 4 and Sky Sports the best insight, commentary and analysis of every twist and turn of this most eagerly anticipated final race of the season. Additionally all Sky TV customers will have live coverage of the important qualifying session on Saturday, and the race on Sunday – which we will also show live on Sky Showcase.”
Stefano Domenicali, Formula 1 President and CEO, added:
“We are excited that Sky will make the Grand Prix on Sunday available to Channel 4 viewers so everyone can tune in live for the thrilling finale to this epic season.
“Sky’s passion for Formula 1 is incredible and this generous gesture shows their love of the sport and the millions of fans in the UK. We are all looking forward to Sunday and hope all the fans will be glued to their screens.”
Lewis Hamilton is already one of the greatest drivers the sport has ever seen, but victory would move him above Michael Schumacher’s seven titles and into unprecedented territory, while for Max Verstappen it would be a first title for the exciting 24-year-old Red Bull driver.
Either way, it promises to be a memorable sporting occasion and every single lap of the ‘Decider in the Desert’ will be broadcast live and free-to-air on Channel 4, as well as on Sky Sports F1 and Sky Showcase.
Scroll down for full details of Sky Sports and Channel 4’s coverage of the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
For a full list of all forthcoming major motorsport events on the box, visit SOTB’s dedicated motorsport on TV listings page.
Round 22 – ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX
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THURSDAY 9th DECEMBER
Lewis v Max: Press Conference
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The F1 Show: Abu Dhabi
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Drivers’ Press Conference
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FRIDAY 10th DECEMBER
FREE PRACTICE 1
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FREE PRACTICE 2
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The F1 Show: Decider in the Desert
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SATURDAY 11th DECEMBER
FREE PRACTICE 3
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QUALIFYING
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F1 Champions Special
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F1: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Qualifying
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SUNDAY 12th DECEMBER
ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX
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ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX
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F1: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
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