Formula 1 fans promised all-new TV experience in 2018 season

Formula 1 fans have been told to expect an all-new experience in how the championship is televised this year, as Liberty Media starts putting in place its action plan

F1's commercial chief Sean Bratches met with teams prior to the Christmas break to run through ideas for the 2018 season.

In a guest blog on the James Allen on F1 site, McLaren executive director Zak Brown said he was excited by what Liberty had proposed for F1 TV.

"Before Christmas Sean Bratches presented the new F1 commercial strategy to us, the teams," explained Brown.

"There is a huge emphasis on digital, as we know, but last year was about testing things out.

"For this year there are products in place, like a new F1 App, OTT platforms (Over The Top/streaming) and they have brought in David Hill, one of the great TV sports innovators, to oversee the graphics package and the way the race is televised.

"You'll see significant changes there on the broadcast, on the graphics and the storytelling.

"Then on-event we'll see more fan engagement, building on last year and there will be new media properties to help fans get closer to the teams.

"I think the big impacts of 2018 will be on the media side, showing F1 in a way that it's never been shown before. It will give us a younger and bigger audience and they will be more engaged."

"Fireworks" predicted in future talks

While welcoming Liberty's push to improve things for fans, Brown also predicted "fireworks" in its negotiations with teams about F1's future.

There has already been unease from Ferrari, Mercedes and Renault about next-generation engine rules, plus concerns about a drop in commercial rights income.

Brown added: "The honeymoon period is over. Some senior team executives have been openly critical of Liberty. I prefer we're constructive.

"They've only really had their feet under the desk for the last six to 12 months having inherited a sport previously operated pretty uniquely.

"They've had to put infrastructure in place, learn the environment and prioritise where to invest - all at the same time.

"There will be some big negotiations going on through 2018 with the teams on contract renewal and I predict that there will be public fireworks; we are already starting to see that.

"I do not think it's going to be quiet. Will Ferrari really leave if they don't like the new rules? I have my opinion but we'll see how this plays out."