TF1 agrees F1 rights deal for French GP’s return

Formula One will return to TF1 in 2018 after the French commercial broadcaster signed a multi-year deal for rights to the motor-racing series.

The three-year deal covers the 2018 to 2020 seasons and grants TF1 live and exclusive free-to-air rights to four grand prix races. TF1 previously covered the sport from 1992 to 2012.

Under the new agreement, TF1 will broadcast live the French Grand Prix, which is returning to the F1 calendar next year. The broadcaster will also show live coverage of the Monaco Grand Prix, as well as two more races that have not yet been confirmed.

The deal also includes full highlights coverage throughout the season.

TF1’s coverage plans include F1 content on weekly car television show Automoto and the Rendez-vous Sport programme.

The deal comes after French pay-television broadcaster Canal Plus in May agreed a three-year extension to its F1 rights deal. The agreement runs from 2018 to 2020 and marked the first major broadcast contract struck by the sport’s new owners, US media company Liberty Media.

Canal Plus picked up F1 rights in 2013 after TF1’s coverage of the sport ended.

The French GP will return to the Formula One calendar for the 2018 season after an absence of 10 years. A race will be held each year at Le Castellet’s Circuit Paul Ricard, near Marseille. A five-year race deal from 2018 onwards was unveiled in Paris in December.