---
title: "Sky Sports to Provide Formula 1 TV Coverage for US Audiences"
description: "Europe's premier Formula 1 TV crew will be the official service provider for ESPN and ABC."
date: "2018-02-14"
modified: "2018-02-14"
authors:
  - name: "Jerry Perez"
    job_title: "Deputy Editor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/jerry-perez"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/18459/sky-sports-to-provide-formula-1-tv-coverage-for-us-audiences"
categories:
  - "News"
tags:
  - "abc"
  - "Audi"
  - "ESPN"
  - "European Market"
  - "Formula 1"
  - "racing"
  - "TV"
  - "U.S."
---

# Sky Sports to Provide Formula 1 TV Coverage for US Audiences

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2018/02/onz5256.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

The ABC television network and cable channel [*ESPN*](<https://espnmediazone.com/us/press-releases/2018/02/espn-sky-sports-join-forces-formula-1-2018-world-championship/>) have confirmed that they will join forces with *Sky Sports* to bring the Formula One World Championship to American viewers in 2018, a move that's bound to boost the quality and length of F1 coverage in the United States.

America's TV coverage of the pinnacle of motorsports, Formula 1, has always been subpar compared to other parts of the world, even during the golden days of the *Speed Channel* and the latter days of *NBC Sports*. When [NBC](<https://www.thedrive.com/start-finish/16420/f1-broadcasters-at-nbc-sports-say-goodbye-with-legendary-shoey>) made it clear that it was not interested in renewing its TV rights with F1's new owner, Liberty Media, the future of the broadcasting of the sport on American shores was in question. Thankfully, our fears can now be put to rest.

![message-editor%2F1518627652703-screenshot2018-02-14at11.59.11am.png](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1518627652703-screenshot2018-02-14at11.59.11am.png>)
*Johny Herbert, Damon Hill, and Martin Brundle., *YouTube/Sky Sports**

*Sky Sports* will provide *ESPN* and ABC its comprehensive Grand Prix coverage for all 21 races of the [2018 season](<https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/18405/this-is-how-the-2018-mercedes-amg-formula-1-car-sounds>), which includes a first-class commentary team made up of former F1 drivers and personalities such as Damon Hill, Martin Brundle, Anthony Davidson, Paul di Resta, and Johny Herbert. In addition, the *Sky Sports* F1 team will be present at all F1 races throughout the globe, something that *ESPN*, ABC, and even NBC could only dream of doing.

"We are excited to work with the *Sky Sports* team," said Kate Jackson, *ESPN* coordinating producer, motorsports. "Their coverage of F1 is second to none and we look forward to bringing their expertise and authenticity to our audiences."

Grid girls have given way to ["grid kids,"](<https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/18240/formula-1-replacing-grid-girls-with-grid-kids-in-2018>) open cockpits are now protected by halos, European F1 commentary is now in the U.S., and [Alonso](<https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/18438/backlash-fuji-wec-date-change-for-fernando-alonso-deemed-unfair-by-some>) is racing at Daytona and Le Mans. I don't know about you, but 2018 has all the right ingredients to be a fantastic season.

## Author
Jerry is responsible for upholding The Drive's ethos as an audience-first, enthusiast-driven car blog that serves up industry-leading news, reviews, culture, and motorsport coverage. Overseeing a staff of writers and editors from his home base in Indianapolis, he helps curate the site's daily rundown, as well as its medium- and long-term content strategies. Jerry joined The Drive in 2018 as a writer and worked as news editor and managing editor before becoming the deputy in 2023. As a lifelong car enthusiast and racing fan, Jerry believes that all cars are cool, but the people behind the machines are even cooler. This belief often gives The Drive a slightly different focus from most other car sites, where we explore the humanity behind the machines. When he's not obsessing over the day's biggest stories or hanging out at a race track, Jerry can be found behind the wheel of a car, most likely sharing a laugh with his teenage son or daughter.

### Author social links  
[Instagram](<https://www.instagram.com/drive_jerry/>)