Whitmarsh sees positives in Sky deal as more details emerge

It was announced this morning that from 2012 to 2018 only half the F1 races will broadcast live on the free-to-air BBC as part of the new arrangement.

But despite initial concerns about the implications for viewing figures, Whitmarsh said after talks with F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone, he could see more positives for F1 - especially as Ecclestone had suggested that the BBC would still show full-length versions of its 'non-live' races rather than just highlights.

"From what Bernie has said it's better than expected," said Whitmarsh.

"The BBC will show every grand prix in full, half of them live and half of them deferred, so free-to-air is available to everyone.

"Sky sound like they are really going to commit to it as well, so it sounds like there is a little bit of competition between the BBC and Sky.

"So overall, from Bernie's view, it will increase the total viewership within the UK.

"Bernie assured me, and I asked him several times, the deferred coverage will not be highlights, it will be a full race.

"That, to some fans, will be very important, depending on exactly races they are, so hopefully that means it's a good deal for everyone."

Whitmarsh said teams were becoming more receptive to the deal as more details emerged.

"Based upon that, if it increases the total viewership, and it maintains the ability of free to air for all of the viewing public in the UK, then cautiously it's good news isn't it?" he said of the paddock's reaction.

He accepted that many fans were likely to be angry, but hoped the cost implications would be less severe than they feared.

"I can understand why," said Whitmarsh. "Based on what I've heard there won't be a premium for watching Formula 1 on Sky, so it sounds like it's good news rather than bad.

"We have to try and maintain the show, work harder, try and reach out to fans, listen to them, we'll continue doing that, hopefully we can all work together to make the sport much bigger."