SPEED enhances Austin race coverage
Hosted by Bob Varsha, with analysis from David Hobbs and Steve Matchett, and pit reporting from Will Buxton, SPEED’s live coverage of the inaugural event from the newly built Circuit of the Americas begins Friday, Nov. 16 with the opening practice session on the 20-turn, 3.427-mile track at 11 a.m. ET.
“Our F1 team has had this weekend circled on the calendar for quite some time," said SPEED President Scott Ackerson. “It’s tremendous to have Formula One racing again on U.S. soil, and SPEED’s expanded coverage will match the enthusiasm F1’s passionate fans have for the return."
Earlier in the week, SPEED will air a 30-minute special entitled Building the Circuit of the Americas: F1’s Return to the U.S. (Nov. 11, 6 p.m. ET).
Former racer Sam Posey, who competed in the 1971 and ’72 U.S. Grand Prix events at Watkins Glen, also will provide his unique perspective.
In addition to coverage of all on-track action, SPEED.com enhances each broadcast with streaming video from four on-board cameras for each session — two Mercedes-sponsored cameras, one Formula One Management (FOM)-produced feed and one “producer’s choice" feed. All will include natural sound.
SPEED.com’s comprehensive online and social media coverage of the Austin weekend also will include exclusive reporting from veteran F1 journalist Adam Cooper, commentary from the SPEED on-air team, event-specific video content and expanded photo galleries. SPEED also will expand its social offerings with the F1 Social Garage, live chats & polls, votes and fan interaction via the Formula 1 on SPEED Facebook account (www.facebook.com/formula1onspeed) and Twitter (@Formula1onSPEED).
SPEED.com’s popular live timing and scoring app — SPEED GP Racecast — is sponsored by Degree for the Austin event http://www.speedtv.com/formula-1-racecast/.
Broadcast schedule for the U.S. Grand Prix on SPEED (all times ET and subject to change):
Sunday, Nov. 11
Building the COTA: F1’s Return to the U.S. (6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.)
Friday, Nov. 16
Mobil 1 The Grid (10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.)
Practice Session One (11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., LIVE)
Practice Session Two (3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., LIVE)
Saturday, Nov. 17
Practice Session Three (10 a.m. to 11 a.m., LIVE)
Qualifying Session (1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., LIVE)
Sunday, Nov. 18
F1 Grand Prix of the United States (1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m., LIVE)
The All-American Victory: Dan Gurney Wins the Belgian GP (4 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.)