Sky to show GP2 and GP3 on new F1 channel

Sky Sports have announced that their soon-to-launch Sky Sports F1 HD channel will include live coverage of both the GP2 and GP3 series.

Complementing the channel's coverage of every F1 session from every 2012 race, the announcement is being billed as a chance for fans to receive a glimpse into the future of motorsport with both series rightly considered to be a breeding ground for F1 drivers of the future.

In addition to live coverage, the channel have also confirmed that their weekly magazine show, presented by Georgie Thompson and Ted Kravitz, will also provide coverage, analysis and discussion of the races from the likes of Monaco, Monza and Silverstone, Spa and Singapore.

Executive Producer Martin Turner said: "We are delighted to be showing GP2 and GP3 live on Sky Sports F1 HD. There are six former GP2 champions in Formula 1 this season, including Lewis Hamilton and last year's winner Romain Grosjean. The series promises nail-biting and fascinating racing and we'll track gifted drivers through the ranks as they aim for Formula 1."

The 12-round 2012 GP2 series will begin in Malaysia on 23-25 March and follows a global circuit through 10 countries. Sky Sports F1 HD will show the two races per weekend; a feature race and a shorter sprint race.

Source: Sky Sports

Thank you SKY

Im lucky that i'll be getting the channel at no extra cost, so this is a bonus. Love watching GP2 and GP3

Fantastic news! Can't wait for the sand bagging games to begin. Drivers holding back on the full potential of their cars and teams covering over vital components to impede other teams in spying!

You have got to love the circus that comes with F1.

Just a thought, with this coming live on Sky, will team sponsors want their teams to take it a little more seriously as this is going to be quite a big thing for Sky. Maximum advertising space here on the 'Murdoch Market!'

The last thing Sky will want to broadcast is a minnow team dominating the practice schedules. It will make all their build up on the main teams and drivers look like nonsense.

This could be the best testing event ever!

Further information regarding Sky F1 programme list I came across....

Sky Sports F1
Friday 9th March
20:00 - F1 Magazine Show
22:00 - Legends (Fittipaldi)
22:30 - Winter Testing (Jerez + Barcelona)
23:00 - F1 Magazine Show (Rpt)

-------

Friday 16th March
01:00 - LIVE: Australian Grand Prix Practice 1
03:30 - Legends (Fittipaldi - Rpt)
04:00 - Time of Our Lives
05:00 - 2012 Car Unveiling
05:30 - LIVE: Australian Grand Prix Practice 2
07:30 - Australian Grand Prix Practice 2

Saturday 17th March
02:45 - LIVE: Australian Grand Prix Practice 3
04:15 - 2012 Car Unveiling - McLaren (Rpt)
04:30 - Legends (Fittipaldi - Rpt)
05:00 - LIVE: Australian Grand Prix Qualifying
08:00 - Legends (Fittipaldi - Rpt)
08:30 - Australian Grand Prix Qualifying (Rpt)
11:15 - Time of Our Lives - GP Greats (Rpt)
12:15 - 2012 Car Unveiling - McLaren (Rpt)
12:30 - Australian Grand Prix Qualifying (Rpt)
15:15 - Legends (Fittipaldi - Rpt)
15:45 - Australian Grand Prix Qualifying (Rpt)
18:30 - 2012 Car Unveiling - McLaren (Rpt)
18:45 - 2012 Car Unveiling - Force India (Rpt)
19:00 - F1 Magazine Show
- practice 1, 2 and 3 replays follow.

Sunday 18th March
04:30 - LIVE: Australian Grand Prix
09:00 - Legends - Mansell
09:30 - Australian Grand Prix (Rpt)
14:00 - Legends - Mansell (Rpt)
14:30 - Australian Grand Prix (Rpt)
19:00 - Legends - Mansell (Rpt)
19:30 - Australian Grand Prix Highlights (90 minutes)

1) The Magazine show seems to vary. There is a 2 hour programme on launch weekend but then the following weekend during the Australian GP it is only 1 hour long. It is repeated numerous times (as you might guess).
2) There are also old season reviews of 60 mins each starting with the 1988 season and then moving forward from there beginning on Wednesday 21st March. The 1989 season is shown the next day, then the 1990 and 1991 seasons are the following week.
3) Live Indy Racing: Sunday 25 March (5.30pm to 8pm) - Honda GP of St Petersburg......interesting!

I dont know about anybody else, but the first thing I notice about the new channel is a lot of repeats.

Yes exactly, however other than the actual qualifying and races, how much are you going to watch the channel? I will tune into the magazine show for sure, however I hope it's presented solely by Ted Kravitz and not Georgie Thompson. Steve Rider presenting 'Legends' will be a borefest & the classic season highlights starting from 1988 is nothing new to long term F1 fans.

It's one of those channels with 25% of worthwhile programmes i.e race and then 75% of total rubbish. There's nothing on this list of programmes which is innovative or stands out from what the BBC showed!

By magazine show, do you think it will it be like the F1 forum on the BBC?

Sky Sports do a legend program with the greatest football players. I hope these F1 legends programs are as good as these because they were very good, informative programs. The bad way to do it is make it boring as you suggest. Hopefully the shows producer knows how to make a good documentary.