F1 in talks with Amazon over deal to stream races - report

Formula 1 are holding “active” talks with Amazon over a potential deal to stream grand prix races, according to reports. 

The Financial Times reported on Wednesday that discussions between the championship and Amazon are underway regarding a deal that could see races streamed as F1 eyes a digital future beyond television broadcasting.

In the United Kingdom, Sky Sports F1 currently holds exclusive rights to air grands prix live until 2024, with the only free-to-air coverage coming via Channel 4’s highlights package, a deal which features live broadcasting of one race, the British Grand Prix.

Outgoing F1 CEO Chase Carey told the Financial Times that he has held “substantive discussions” with Amazon prior to handing over the baton to former Ferrari and Lamborghini boss Stefano Domenicalli who takes over in the new year.

“We are in substantive discussions [with] Amazon and all the global digital platforms,” Carey said.

“They’re [an] incredibly important potential partner and an opportunity for us to expand and grow our business.”

It comes as F1 owners Liberty Media continues to seek new ways to expand its audience and target a younger generation of fans who are increasingly switching to watching sport online.

As part of its ongoing digital drive, F1 has launched its own F1TV subscription and secured a deal with Netflix to produce its fly-on-the-wall ‘Drive to Survive’ documentary series.

Amazon, which has not responded to Carey’s comments, has had a major recent push to expand its coverage of live sport via its Amazon Prime Video subscription service, a portfolio which includes Premier League football, Tennis and Rugby.