After another dominant Ferrari victory in Mexico both Formula 1 world championships remain in the balance heading to the Brazilian Grand Prix this weekend, with global television audiences clamouring to see the latest twists and turns in a three-team tussle for the titles.
The race at Interlagos is the end of three consecutive weeks of F1 racing in the Americas, with the United States GP in Austin immediately preceding Carlos Sainz’s impressive win in Mexico last weekend.
But, with interest in the championship still riding the crest of a wave, uncertainty over broadcast deals in the key markets of the US and Brazil could see some of that popularity crash down to earth.
Brazil
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes F1 W14, Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin AMR23, Lance Stroll, Aston Martin AMR23, the rest of the field, as Kevin Magnussen, Haas VF-23, Alex Albon, Williams FW45, crash
Photo by: Steve Etherington / Motorsport Images
Rather interestingly, it is the potential F1 future of highly-rated Brazilian driver Gabriel Bortoleto that could have caused a headache over broadcasting rights in his homeland.
To see how much the interest of a South American nation is piqued by having a local favourite to cheer on, just look across Brazil’s near-800 mile border with Argentina and witness the clamour for Franco Colapinto.
The potential uptick in viewing figures should Bortoleto – the 20-year-old Sao Paulo-born racer who leads the F2 championship – land the remaining seat at Sauber next year could potentially have caused quite the issue over broadcasting agreements in Brazil.
Band, having signed a three-year renewal in 2022 to broadcast all grands prix, qualifying sessions and sprint races between 2023 and 2025, has reportedly been struggling to pay the instalments on its deal and has previously been attempting to renegotiate the terms for the final year.
A contract termination was mooted but Band is understood to have scoffed at the fee to cancel the deal early and is instead prepared to commit to seeing out the agreement – with the potential added incentive of extra revenue should Bortoleto sign for Sauber.
Gabriel Bortoleto, Invicta Racing
Photo by: Invicta Virtuosi Racing
While a tricky situation is yet to be resolved, the waters are further muddied by the arrival on the scene of Globo, the largest commercial television network in Brazil.
Having previously aired F1 for decades, Globo is almost certainly expected to sign a…
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