What sport pubs need to know about the new F1 season

07-Feb-2018 - Last updated on 07-Feb-2018 at 10:20 GMT

Best of British: Lewis Hamilton surpassed Jackie Stewart's record of three F1 world titles last season

Lewis Hamilton will begin the defence of his Formula One world title in late March when the lights go out in the sport's traditional curtain-raiser in Melbourne, Australia.

The 21-race season will feature two new grand prix for the 2018-19 season. Returning to F1’s race calendar for the first time in almost 30 years, Circuit Paul Ricard in Le Castellet, near Marseille, will host the French Grand Prix in June, while the German Grand Prix from Hockenheim in the Rhine Valley makes its comeback after a one-year absence.

Sky Sports F1 will cover all 21 races, with 11 exclusively live on the broadcaster’s dedicated channel.

ICYMI: There are big changes to the TV times for the new season

Every race to start ten minutes past the hour

European races pushed back to 2.10pm UK time

The French GP to start at 3.10pm UK time to avoid England v Panama World Cup clashhttps://t.co/MHEiMNFFj4 pic.twitter.com/oMLAAWIHeK
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) February 1, 2018

Huge anticipation

Sky Business managing director David Rey said: “From the opening grand prix of the year to the season’s home-stretch, Sky Sports F1 remains the definitive place for pub viewers to see every twist and turn of the season.

“There is huge anticipation this year. Can Hamilton create even more history, how will Ferrari and Red Bull close the gap, where will the young drivers emerge in the reckoning? Licensees and customers can enjoy every practice session, qualifying session and race live, with 11 exclusive race weekends, as Sky Sports builds towards becoming the exclusive home of F1 in 2019.”

Britain’s Lewis Hamilton has the chance to end the season – which concludes in Abu Dhabi in November – as the joint second most prolific winner of Formula One world titles.

His most recent world title made him the most successful British driver in the sports history with four world titles to his name – one more than former record holder Jackie Stewart.

A fifth gong would take him level with Argentina’s Juan Manuel Fangio who dominated the sport in the 1950s, and two world titles behind Formula One’s most prolific world title winner, Michael Schumacher.

2018 Sky Sports F1 schedule in full:

Australian Grand Prix - 23-25 March

Bahrain Grand Prix - 6-8 April

Chinese Grand Prix - 13-15 April

Azerbaijan Grand Prix - 27-29 April

Spanish Grand Prix - 11-13 May

Monaco Grand Prix - 25-27 May

Canadian Grand Prix - 8-10 June

French Grand Prix - 22-24 June

Austrian Grand Prix - 29 June – 1 July

British Grand Prix - 6-8 July

German Grand Prix - 20-22 July