How to watch motorsport in the UK in 2020: Formula 1, MotoGP & more

As the motorsport world begins to reawaken from its coronavirus-induced dormancy most series are preparing to race once again.

While it may not be possible for spectators to attend races for the present motorsport will continue to be broadcast around the world for the fans at home.

As the lockdown in the UK continues, viewers may find themselves with more time on their hands than usual to indulge in their passion for racing, so here’s a reminder of where you can watch motorsport in 2020.

How can I watch Formula 1 in the UK in 2020?

Live coverage: Sky Sports F1
Channel number: Sky channel 406 and Virgin channel 506
Highlights: Channel 4
Channel number: Freeview channel 4, Sky channel 104, Freesat channel 104, Virgin channel 104

Since 2019 Sky Sports F1 has been the only channel in the UK to provide F1 live coverage, with just the British Grand Prix available free-to-air live on Channel 4. Non-Sky subscribers can choose from a range of Now TV packages from access to just one race weekend’s worth of action to the entire season to still enjoy live coverage without a subscription deal. Channel 4 continues to show extended highlights for every qualifying session and race in 2020, broadcast two and a half hours after the chequered flag.

How can I watch MotoGP in the UK in 2020?

Live coverage: BT Sport 2
Channel number: BT channel 409, Sky channel 414 and Virgin channel 532
Highlights: Quest
Channel number: Freeview channel 12, Freesat channel 167, Sky channel 144 and Virgin channel 169

BT Sport provides coverage of every session of each MotoGP weekend including all MotoGP, Moto2 and Moto3 action, included in several BT packages or with a monthly BT Sport pass. Free-to-air highlights are broadcast on Quest in the week following each event and then can be watched on-demand through their streaming service.

How can I watch the 2019/20 Formula E season in the UK?

Live coverage: BBC’s digital platforms and Eurosport 1
Channel number: Sky channel 410, Virgin channel 521
Highlights: Quest
Channel number: Freeview channel 12, Freesat channel 167, Sky channel 144 and Virgin channel 169

For the 2019/20 season the BBC picked up coverage of Formula E, broadcasting it across their digital channels, including the red button, the BBC Sport website and iPlayer. Two races were also scheduled to be shown on one of the BBC’s terrestrial channels, although the disruption of the coronavirus pandemic has left the remainder of the Formula E season uncertain.

Complete Formula E coverage is also available with a Eurosport subscription and highlights are shown on Quest, alongside select live races. Additionally practice sessions are streamed live on Formula E’s YouTube channel for those who want to watch every second of action.

How can I watch the World Rally Championship in the UK in 2020?

Live coverage: WRC+ subscription
Highlights: ITV4 and Red Bull TV
Channel number: ITV4 is available on Freeview channel 24, Freesat channel 117, Sky channel 818 and Virgin channel 118

With a WRC+ subscription viewers can watch every stage of every rally, live or on-demand, with extras such as onboard angles and archive access. Alternatively both ITV4 and Red Bull TV show highlights of each round. ITV4 produces a daily highlights programme across each event plus a full highlights package wrapping up the whole weekend the following week. Red Bull TV, available for free online and through the app, provides similar daily highlights as well as broadcasting one live stage per event.

How can I watch NASCAR in the UK in 2020?

Live coverage: Sky Premier Sports 1 and Virgin Premier Sports 1
Channel number: Sky channel 866 and Virgin channel 551

NASCAR is only available on Premier Sports in the UK, which is available with Sky Sports and Virgin subscriptions. However the coverage does not contain the NASCAR Xfinity series action and only broadcasts the NASCAR Cup series. Viewers can alternatively subscribe directly to Premier Sports in order to watch through its website or app.

How can I watch IndyCar in the UK in 2020?

Live coverage: Sky Sports F1
Channel number: Sky channel 406 and Virgin channel 506

Alongside F1 and its feeder series F2 and F3, the Sky Sports F1 channel also broadcasts the entire IndyCar calendar, including the Indianapolis 500. Sky shows all the qualifying sessions and races live. Now TV passes are available for those without a Sky subscription which allow viewers to choose the length of their Sky Sports access.

How can I watch the 2019/20 World Endurance Championship in the UK?

Live coverage: Motorsport.tv, BT Sport 2, Eurosport 1 and the WEC app
Channel number: BT Sport 2 is available on BT channel 409, Sky channel 414 and Virgin channel 532 and Eurosport 1 is available on Freeview channel 12, Freesat channel 167, Sky channel 144 and Virgin channel 169

Motorsport.tv streams the entirety of each WEC race which is available, alongside a variety of extra content, with a subscription, as does both BT Sport and Eurosport. The WEC website and app also show live coverage of each event with a subscription, although highlights are available for free.

How to watch the British Touring Car Championship in the UK in 2020?

Live coverage: ITV4
Channel number: Freeview channel 24, Freesat channel 117, Sky channel 818 and Virgin channel 118

The BTCC has had a long-standing partnership with ITV, with the channel showing seven hours of live race day coverage, alongside highlights programmes later each week which are also available on ITV Hub. Qualifying is also available to watch on ITV’s dedicated BTCC website.

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