NBC has been running a deceptive promo making it appear that this Sunday’s airing of the Grand Prix of Monaco is the first time ever it has been run on network television. Now if NBC had said, “Live for the first time on network television,” then it would be correct. However, the race has been run on tape delay on ABC’s Wide World of Sports and also on Fox. This Sunday’s airing on NBC marks the first time it will aired live in its entirety and that’s a good thing.
NBC will begin its coverage on NBC Sports Network at 7 a.m. ET with its Pre-Race Show. Then NBC will sign on at 7:30 a.m. ET. The NBC Formula 1 crew of Leigh Diffey, David Hobbs and Steve Machett will live from Monte Carlo to call the race. Insider Will Buxton will be in the pits to provide reports and interviews.
Here’s the NBC announcement.
NBC SPORTS GROUP PRESENTS LIVE COVERAGE OF GRAND PRIX OF MONACO ON NBC THIS SUNDAY
NEW YORK – May 22, 2013 – NBC Sports Group presents the Monaco Grand Prix live, plus practice, qualifying, F1 Extra, and two GP2 races.
For the first time, Formula One’s famed Monaco Grand Prix will air live on network television Sunday, May 26 at 7:30 a.m. ET on NBC. Race day will begin with a live pre-race show at 7 a.m. ET on NBC Sports Network, and conclude with F1 Extra, NBC Sports Network’s half-hour post-race show, live from Monaco. Live coverage begins tomorrow, May 23, at 8 a.m. ET with F1 practice from Monaco. F1 qualifying will air live on Saturday, May 25, at 8 a.m. ET. In addition, NBC Sports Network will air two GP2 races, F1’s developmental series, at 12 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, May 26.
NBC Sports Network’s Grand Prix of Monaco Coverage
(subject to change, all times ET):
Thursday, May 23 F1 Practice 8 a.m. NBCSN Friday, May 24 F1 Practice Encore 1:30 a.m. NBCSN Friday, May 24 F1 Practice Encore 11:30 p.m. NBCSN Saturday, May 25 F1 Qualifying 8 a.m. NBCSN Saturday, May 25 F1 Qualifying Encore 10:30 p.m. NBCSN Sunday, May 26 GP2 Race 1 12 a.m. NBCSN Sunday, May 26 F1 Pre-Race Show 7 a.m. NBCSN Sunday, May 26 Grand Prix of Monaco 7:30 a.m. NBC Sunday, May 26 F1 Extra 10 a.m. NBCSN Sunday, May 26 Grand Prix of Monaco Encore 10:30 a.m. NBCSN Sunday, May 26 F1 Extra Encore 1 p.m. NBCSN Sunday, May 26 GP2 Race 2 1:30 p.m. NBCSN Sunday, May 26 Grand Prix of Monaco Encore 10:30 p.m. NBCSN F1 COMMENTATORS ON SITE IN MONACO: NBC Sports Group’s F1 announce booth will be on site to capture the unique glitz-and-glamor atmosphere of the Monaco Grand Prix. Leigh Diffey will serve as lead race announcer alongside veteran analyst and former racecar driver David Hobbs, analyst and former race mechanic for the Benetton F1 team Steve Matchett, and F1 insider and former journalist Will Buxton. Diffey will precede his work in Monaco by calling Indy 500 qualifying coverage.
The team participated on a media conference call today from Monaco and shared their excitement about this weekend’s upcoming race:
Rich O’Connor, producer: “To be able to tell the history, the stories and the challenges of this venue is something we’re really looking forward to this weekend.”
Leigh Diffey: “It’s something that has to be seen to be believed. I am still in awe. Wait till you see the view.”
David Hobbs: “You just can’t get your head around it. All the drivers here want to win this race.”
Steve Matchett: “It’s absolutely unique in the challenges it poses to the teams. Every corner around Monaco, they all have names, they all have history. It’s a race of legends.”
Will Buxton: “If ever there is a moment at which you became disillusioned with the sport, you are reminded of the majesty and splendor of this incredible sport, it is standing trackside here in Monaco with cars flying past you over 100 mph inches from your face. You can feel the working parts of the engine rise through your feet and your legs, up your spine, draw the breath out of your lungs as they fly past you. This place gives you a buzz for motorsports that nowhere else on earth gives you.”
That’s all.
