Major TV update for British F1 fans as Channel 4 confirms 2019 deal

Formula 1 will remain on free-to-air television in the UK in 2019 after rival broadcasters Sky Sports and Channel 4 agreed a deal for highlights to be aired on the terrestrial channel. The British Grand Prix will also be shown in full on C4 next year.

Free-view F1 was expected to disappear from British screens, as it has recently in Italy, after Sky secured an exclusive deal.

Although C4's live races will dip from 10 in 2018 to just one next year, the highlights show is likely to be popular among fans, many of whom do not pay for Sky's subscription services.

It was recently revealed that Channel 4's F1 race coverage drew in more than double of Sky's for the same races – and Liberty Media have pinned recent slumps in television viewership on the rise of subscription services hoovering up rights, ESPN taking the 2018 rights in the United Sates from NBC another example.

It was not confirmed whether Channel 4's existing team which includes former F1 drivers David Coulthard, Mark Webber and Karun Chandhok will be used for C4's highlights package or the race in Silverstone, or whether coverage will be taken from Sky as it is in many countries across the world.

Alex Mahon, Chief Executive Officer of Channel 4, said: "I'm delighted that we've been able to establish such an exciting and innovative partnership with Sky which will ensure that the British Grand Prix and highlights of the 2019 Formula 1 Championship remain available on free-to-air television for UK viewers."