Formula 1 is back on Telecinco, marking a notable return for fans in the United States and Canada who follow the premier motorsport series. After nearly two decades since its first broadcast on the network, Mediaset revealed a new agreement with Telefónica Audiovisual Digital, the holder of World Motorsport Championship rights. The 2023 Spanish Grand Prix will be carried live on Telecinco, with the race set for the Montmeló circuit in Barcelona, Catalonia, on the weekend of June 3 and 4. Spain’s own Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz are expected to be central figures as the event unfolds, drawing significant international attention. Source: Telecinco press materials and race coverage notes.
The broadcast plan includes coverage of the qualifying session on Saturday, June 3, followed by the main race on Sunday, June 4. Telecinco will present the event to a broad audience in both North American markets, continuing Mediaset’s tradition of showcasing high level sport. This marks the third consecutive year that Mediaset has secured and promoted a major motorsport competition, reinforcing the season as one of the most anticipated for fans in the region. Source: Telecinco event release and industry recap.
As the season has progressed through races in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Australia, Alonso sits in a competitive position near the top of the standings, while Sainz remains among the leading contenders. The early results have established a dynamic championship race, with both Spanish drivers playing pivotal roles as the campaign moves forward. Source: Championship standings updates from race organizers and teams.
Alonso had a strong start to the season as a veteran driver navigating a demanding calendar, while Sainz has demonstrated consistency across the early Grands Prix. The Madrid-born racer faced penalties and exciting on track action as teams push for performance improvements. The season’s early incidents and strategic calls have shaped the championship narrative, fueling fan discussions and analysis across all major sports outlets. Source: FIA race reports and team communications.
Spanish motorsport history owes a large part of its modern popularity to Telecinco and its extensive coverage, which helped bring the sport to a wider audience. The broadcaster’s coverage of Alonso and his two world championships, along with the early years of his career at McLaren and Renault, left a lasting imprint on fans in Spain and abroad. This legacy of accessibility and excitement continues to influence how the sport is consumed today, including in North American markets where interest in Formula 1 has grown substantially in recent years. Source: Historic broadcaster profiles and press summaries.
Looking back at the evolution of Formula 1 on free-to-air television, the sport found homes onLa Sexta and later on Antena 3 before the shift to premium platforms. The end of the 2015 season saw a move toward subscription services, a trend that shifted how audiences followed races. Yet Telecinco’s current arrangement aims to balance broad accessibility with the high production values fans expect, ensuring that the drama of qualifying and the speed of the race reach a wide audience. Source: Network history timelines and broadcasting rights summaries.