Channel 4 signs ex-Ferrari boss Stefano Domenicali to 2019 coverage

channel 4

Channel 4 signs ex-Ferrari boss to 2019 coverage

But their coverage has been impacted by Sky...

Matthew Scott

Wednesday 13 March 2019 18:43 Updated: 06:56

Channel 4 has confirmed the signing of former Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali to its coverage for the 2019 Formula 1 season. The Italian will provide insight at an undefined number of races in 2019, as part of C4's mostly highlights package.

Channel 4 will only show the British Grand Prix in full next year as a result of Sky Sports securing an exclusive deal with Formula 1 as one of Bernie Ecclestone's last acts in charge.

The move has infuriated fans, with audiences set to plummet, despite offers from Sky to make their F1 channel more affordable for customers.

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C4's team will be familiar to old viewers, with Steve Jones presenting alongside David Coulthard and Mark Webber, although Karun Chandhok has departed for Sky and Susie Wolff will not feature as she focuses on Formula E commitments.

????NEW SIGNING ALERT!!!????

Excited to announce that Stefano Domenicali, former team principal of @ScuderiaFerrari will be joining the @C4F1 team this year as a pundit and analyst for a number of races throughout the season.

????????Benvenuto Stefano! ????????#C4F1 pic.twitter.com/Ho4uT0uXKj
— Channel 4 F1® (@C4F1) March 13, 2019

The arrival of Domenicali will boost C4's offering, with the announcement coming on the same day that stunning details emerged over the way Sky will manipulate their rival's broadcasting in 2019.

According to BBC Sport, C4's programming has been limited in many ways, including the amount of track time they are permitted to air, where they can and can't interview and their ability to talk to drivers on the grid pre-race.

These restrictions are reportedly in place for the 20 races which Sky holds exclusive rights for – meaning the British GP will go unaffected.

However, it calls into further question Liberty Media's allowance of Sky to monopolise the UK market – one of the key audiences for F1 traditionally.