Formula 1 could split from US broadcaster ESPN next year as the series eyes a more lucrative rights deal.
Greg Maffei, president of F1 owner Liberty Media, told CNBC work on a new broadcasting deal is “ongoing” and he believes the sport’s growing popularity in the USA could help them command a higher price for the rights.
“This year we’re on ESPN and next year we’re looking for a broadcast partner,” said Maffei. “We have a lot of interest.”
Liberty Media moved F1 from NBC to ESPN in 2018, soon after it purchased the series. “ESPN has been a great partner,” said Maffei. “They’ve got a very good deal because we’ve had a rise in popularity and they’ve capitalised on that as well.
“Our hope is we’ll find a great partner going forward which could be ESPN or it could be somebody else, and is likely to be at a much better price for us. It’s hopefully still good for our broadcast partners too.”
F1 announced last week it will add a third American round of…