Channel 4 and Sky Sports have today confirmed their 2017 Formula One calendar picks. The picks are as follows:

2017 Schedule Details

March 27th – Australia (Melbourne) – Sky

April 9th – China (Shanghai) – Sky

April 16th – Bahrain (Sakhir) – Channel 4 and Sky

April 30th – Russia (Sochi) – Channel 4 and Sky

May 14th – Spain (Barcelona) – Sky

May 28th – Monaco (Monaco) – Channel 4 and Sky

June 11th – Canada (Montreal) – Sky

June 25th – Europe (Baku) – Channel 4 and Sky

July 9th – Austria (Red Bull Ring) – Sky

July 16th – Britain (Silverstone) – Channel 4 and Sky

July 30th – Hungary (Budapest) – Sky

August 27th – Belgium (Spa) – Channel 4 and Sky

September 3rd – Italy (Monza) – Sky

September 17th – Singapore (Marina Bay) – Channel 4 and Sky

October 1st – Malaysia (Sepang) – Channel 4 and Sky

October 8th – Japan (Suzuka) – Sky

October 22nd – USA (Circuit of the Americas) – Channel 4 and Sky

October 29th – Mexico (Mexico City) – Sky

November 12th – Brazil (Interlagos) – Sky

November 26th – Abu Dhabi (Yas Marina) – Channel 4 and Sky



Other than the picks themselves, the main piece of news to come out of the press releases is that Channel 4’s live races will continue to air uninterrupted from lights out to chequered flag, which is great news for fans. Neither press release mentions personnel details, I would expect any changes to be announced closer to the start of the season.

Sky’s press release is the usual format, the corporation touting heavily the launch of Formula 1 in ultra high-definition. The press release also mentions some of their usual supplementary programming such as GP2, GP3 and The F1 Report (which has essentially now replaced The F1 Show).

Channel 4’s Head of F1 Stephen Lyle said: “Following a thrilling first year covering Formula One, we’re delighted to reveal our schedule for the 2017 season. Once again our team will bring extensive coverage of every race with The Monaco Grand Prix, Great Britain and the finale in Abu Dhabi among our ten Live race weekends. It’s a particular delight to welcome Monaco back to terrestrial television Live, for the first time in five years.”

Sky’s Head of F1 Martin Turner said: “With UHD it’s Formula 1 like you’ve never seen it before. It will be the hardest, fastest, loudest season in years with new rules, new cars, new engines and new, massive tyres. From the opening Grand Prix of the year to the season’s home-stretch, Sky Sports F1 remains the definitive place for fans to see every twist and turn of the season.”

Compared to my predictions post, I managed to get 12 out of the 20 picks correct, which is not bad, a bit less than last year mind! My prediction was that Channel 4 would pick Canada after Britain and Abu Dhabi. Instead, it looks like that either USA or Monaco as their third pick, with the other being their fourth pick. The picks are a big change compared to the past few years. It is the first time Monaco has been live on free-to-air television since 2012, and the first for Singapore since 2013. It’s also the first time the US Grand Prix is airing live on free-to-air television since it returned to the calendar, which is really good news in my view.