Regardless of the epic title showdown Method 1 is witnessing, Sky are usually not planning to permit free-to-air UK protection of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
After a number of seasons of dominance for Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time World Champion has encountered considered one of, if not the, hardest challengers of his profession this season in Pink Bull’s Max Verstappen.
Twenty rounds have come and gone, that includes a listing of thrilling wheel-to-wheel moments between the pair, together with a few main collisions, in a season that may go down as one of many best Method 1 has ever produced.
And with Verstappen main the Drivers’ Championship by solely eight factors over Hamilton heading into the penultimate spherical, there’s each likelihood this battle will rage on till the season’s finale in Abu Dhabi.
If it does, it’ll the primary time since 2016 when Nico Rosberg beat his Mercedes team-mate Hamilton to the title on the ultimate day of the season at Yas Marina Circuit.
In the UK, it has been the case on a number of prior events {that a} sporting occasion of nice significance that usually could be out there on pay-TV can be proven on free-to-air TV.
Lately, Amazon Prime allowed Channel 4 to indicate the US Open tennis last stay, which featured Britain’s Emma Raducanu who went on to win the match, finishing one of many sport’s best turn-ups.
Nevertheless, Sky, who maintain unique rights to indicate Method 1 stay in the UK, are usually not planning on permitting Channel 4 to supply stay protection of the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
As an alternative, it’s anticipated the system will stay the identical, with Channel 4 displaying delayed qualifying and race highlights.
Talking to Motorsport Broadcasting, a Sky spokesperson mentioned: “The race is unlikely to be free to air on December 12. Highlights can be out there on Channel 4 as all the time.”
Earlier than Method 1 heads to Abu Dhabi although, Verstappen may clinch his first Drivers’ Championship on the inaugural Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, ought to he stretch his present eight-point lead over Hamilton to 26 factors or extra.
