Pay-television broadcaster Sky is to show exclusive UK coverage of a new seven-part Formula 1 documentary series as part of a tie-up with the premier motor racing property and NBCUniversal Global Distribution, an arm of the Comcast-owned mass media group.
The Race to Perfection series has been produced to tie in with F1’s 70th anniversary and was produced in-house by Sky Sports’ F1 broadcast team.
The documentary will be sold to broadcasters and streaming services worldwide by NBCUniversal Global Distribution.
F1 has made available rare archive footage for the series, which will include over 40 exclusive interviews from leading figures in the sport.
Announcing the launch of Race to Perfection, F1 said: “From the launch of the sport in 1950 through to the modern day, the series will cover all the high-octane drama that has enthralled audiences across the world for decades. From Fangio to Schumacher, Senna to Hamilton, the stories of the sport and the personalities that have driven it will be told in a new light through unseen archive footage and exclusive interviews.”
The Comcast-owned Sky holds extensive broadcast rights to F1 in the UK and Ireland in a deal running from 2019 to 2024.
Ian Holmes, director of media rights at F1 said: “We are incredibly excited to be collaborating with Sky and creating an exclusive docuseries which showcases the sport across the ages and celebrates our rich heritage in motorsport. Fans will be able to witness on a global scale some of our oldest footage brought back to life though the docuseries and give fans a real insight into the history of F1 to mark our 70th anniversary.”
Scott Young, who heads up Sky Sports’ F1 channels and will soon join Eurosport as senior vice-president, production and content, added: “Formula 1 is an iconic sport with a rich history, ever-changing as technology has rapidly developed over the last seven decades. We’re delighted to partner with F1 and produce seven programmes to tell that story in full detail.
“It’s a time to remember the storylines and glory of the past but also look ahead to the future. Our partnership with F1 over the next five years will give customers exclusive access as that captivating story continues to unfold.”