David Coulthard gets Channel 4 Formula 1 television role

The channel is taking over UK F1 terrestrial television rights in a three-year deal from 2016 after the BBC ended its agreement earlier.

Coulthard was part of the BBC's team during the last six seasons after the coverage moved across from ITV.

Channel 4's head of TV events and sport Ed Harvard said: "We are delighted that David Coulthard will be at the heart of Channel 4's coverage and look forward to announcing the full presenting team in the coming weeks."

The news comes as Whisper Films was awarded the production contract for Channel 4's F1 coverage, with a number of BBC production staff to form part of the team.

Coulthard, former BBC F1 presenter Jake Humphrey and ex-BBC Sport F1 producer Sunil Patel set up Whisper Films in 2010.

Channel 4 took a minority stake in the production company in 2015 as part of its Indie Growth Fund.

"The F1 world has been incredibly impressed with what Whisper has delivered over the last five years and Channel 4's decision is testament to that," said Coulthard.

"I'm looking forward to being part of an exciting new era for Formula 1, with Whisper Films and our proven level of creativity and innovation very much at the heart of that."

Whisper Films executive producer Patel added: "Whisper Films has an unrivalled production team with over 20 years' experience in Formula 1 and unique contacts throughout the sport.

"Channel 4 and the sport have talked about a new approach and we believe we are ideally placed to deliver this."

North One Television, which was responsible for ITV's F1 coverage when it had the rights, will work with Channel 4 to produce a number of accompanying F1 programmes.

Channel 4 will screen 10 grands prix live and without advertising breaks per season, with the remainder to be shown as highlights.