F1 Juniors: a Bespoke Hungarian GP Broadcast for Children

Formula One is one of the most exciting and glamorous sports in the world, but it's also one that has struggled to attract a younger audience in recent times. In an era where young people's attention is increasingly fragmented across various media, F1 has recognized the need to adapt and make its product more appealing to children and teenagers. 

One way the sport is doing this is by partnering with Sky to create a bespoke broadcast for children during the upcoming Hungarian Grand Prix. The dedicated coverage will feature young presenters from Sky Kids show FYI, as well as other innovative elements designed to capture the imaginations of young viewers. 

F1 Juniors is the name of the new coverage, which will feature presenters Braydon and Scarlett alongside go-karter Zac. Together with 2016 F1 champion Nico Rosberg and Danica Patrick, they will create a dedicated International Feed featuring bespoke graphics and sound effects for the broadcast. 

One of the most interesting elements of F1 Juniors is the use of augmented graphics. These will be placed on specific camera angles, much like some advertisements are positioned trackside through the use of CGI. The hope is that these graphics will add an extra layer of excitement and engagement for younger viewers. 

The broadcast will be initially available in Germany and the United Kingdom, with the pair packaging the product differently. Sky Deutschland is holding an open casting call for talented young people between the ages of 10-14 to host its show, who will also be invited to join the Sky Next Generation programme. 

But F1 Juniors isn't just about giving children something fun to watch during the race. The trio of young talent will also sample a variety of aspects of working as part of the broadcast team. This will include interviewing drivers, co-hosting, and commentating live during the race. 

The hope is that F1 Juniors will not only be a fun and engaging experience for young viewers but also a way of inspiring the next generation of F1 stars. As 2009 F1 champion Jenson Button said, "We are really excited about giving the next generation of F1 fans a platform to show their passion and excitement for the sport as F1 continues to grow in popularity amongst younger audiences. We may just find our next Crofty or Naomi Schiff." 

F1 director of media rights and content creation, Ian Holmes, is similarly optimistic about the initiative. "We want to ensure that our fans of all ages can enjoy and fall in love with Formula 1, so working with our long-standing partners at Sky on this project to target younger audiences is really exciting," he said. "This is a first of its kind in motorsport and I am excited to see the broadcast come to life and to watch the next generation of presenting talent." 

Sky Deutschland's executive vice president of sport, Charly Classen, is equally enthusiastic about the project. "With Sky Next Generation, we have done real pioneering work in our football broadcasts and shown that we at Sky are courageous and are also prepared to rethink our broadcasts and go in other directions," he said. "The response to the first Sky Next Generation productions from our viewers was overwhelming, and so now we're taking the next step with the first broadcast in Formula 1. I'm sure young motorsport fans will be excited too." 

In a world where traditional television viewing habits are changing rapidly, it's become increasingly important for sports like F1 to adapt and innovate if they want to remain relevant. By creating bespoke content for younger audiences, F1 is showing that it's not afraid to think outside the box and try new things. Whether F1 Juniors becomes a permanent fixture or just a one-off experiment, it's a step in the right direction for a sport that's always looking to expand its fan base.