Liberty Media rationalise changes to race times

Liberty Media announced this week that there would be changes to the times at which Grand Prix races start in order for viewing figures to increase as well as cater to other markets more effectively, and have released a statement detailing the rationale for their decision.

The American organisation have implemented plenty of changes since taking ownership of the sport, and one of their main targets has been to evolve fan engagement.

Part of this is the decision to change the start times for races in the hope that viewership will increase.

In a statement released on the F1 website, Liberty have let fans know why the change was made.

“Formula 1, together with the FIA, has revealed the starting times for the 21 Grands Prix of the 2018 FIA Formula 1 World Championship," the statement reads.

“There are two main changes to 2017’s structure. The first is that on Sunday the race will start at ten minutes past the hour. Some broadcasters usually go on air precisely on the hour, hence missing the tension and emotion that characterize the minutes before the start of each Grand Prix.”

“Thanks to this change, television viewers will be brought closer to the teams and the drivers and fully enjoy the spectacle offered just before the red lights go out.”

“The second change is to the European and Brazilian race weekends. Research has indicated that a wider TV audience is reachable later in the afternoons, especially in the summer months. Consequently, it has been decided to move the schedule of every session back by one hour across the whole weekend for each of the above-mentioned Grands Prix.”

“Other minor adjustments have been made in order to avoid clashes with other major sports events like the FIFA World Cup, to allow for differing sunset times, and to attract a wider attendance to promoters’ events.”

The news of the change comes just days after Liberty Media drew criticism for ditching the tradition of 'grid girls' being present during races.