BBC Radio 5 Live gets UK radio rights for three seasons of Formula 1

With a new exclusive UK audio rights deal from 2025-27, BBC Radio 5 Live, 5 Sports Extra and the BBC Sport website will broadcast live Formula 1 race commentary.

This includes qualifying and practice sessions starting with live coverage of Practice 1 at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne today, 14th March.

Heidi Dawson, Controller of BBC Radio 5 Live and 5 Sports Extra says: “We’re bringing Formula 1 fans closer to the action with our exclusive audio coverage on BBC Radio 5 Live, 5 Sports Extra, and BBC Sounds.

“With a fantastic team that includes legends and rising stars, our listeners can expect to feel like they’re right there in the pit lane.”

Jennie Gow and Rosanna Tennant are presenting and pit lane reporting, while Harry Benjamin will be the lead commentator, with Ben Edwards.

Jennie Gow says: “With Lewis Hamilton moving stables to Ferrari, Max Verstappen going for a fifth consecutive title, and Lando Norris hoping to win his first Drivers’ Championship, it’s got all the elements to be the best season in history.

“Sport is best when it’s unpredictable, and F1 is just that. The only thing that is predictable is that the BBC Radio 5 Live F1 team will be across every session, every story, everything F1 – and we can’t wait to share it all with you.”

Former F1 World Champion Damon Hill is joining the team, along with Sam Bird, the current McLaren Formula E driver, Alice Powell, a former W-Series driver, and Marc Priestley, a former F1 race mechanic.

The 5 Live and BBC Sounds podcast Chequered Flag will continue to provide the latest interviews, reaction and reports within the world of Formula 1.