AP sources: Speed won't air F1 after this season

By Jenna Fryer

Associated Press

Published: Friday, Oct. 12 2012 8:45 a.m. MDT

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Ferrari driver Felipe Massa of Brazil waits inside his car during the second practice session for the Korean Formula One Grand Prix at the Korean International Circuit in Yeongam, South Korea, Friday, Oct. 12, 2012.

Dita Alangkara, Associated Press

Summary

The Associated Press has learned that Formula One will end its 17-year relationship with the cable channel Speed at the end of the season.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Associated Press has learned that Formula One will end its 17-year relationship with the cable channel Speed at the end of the season.

Two people familiar with the negotiations say F1 was in talks with NBC for U.S. broadcast rights and Speed would not be renewing its contract. The people spoke on condition of anonymity because there was no official announcement.

Speed partnered with F1 in 1996 in the network's first full season on the air. Speed moved to live coverage in 1997 and has expanded to live coverage of qualifying and practice sessions of the most popular motorsports series in the world.

The departure of F1 comes as Speed parent company Fox moves closer to rebranding the motorsports network as all-sports carrying FOX Sports 1.

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