Wimbledon chiefs have been frustrated in their attempts to stop two of the showpiece British sporting events of the summer starting within 10 minutes of each other on Sunday July 14.
The Wimbledon men’s singles final traditionally begins at 2pm on the last Sunday of the Championships, but will clash this year with the British Grand Prix, which is due to start at 2.10pm.
On a bumper day for sports fans, the Cricket World Cup final will also be taking place at Lord’s from 10.30am, and it is Bastille Day at the Tour de France.
The Wimbledon men's single final and the British Grand Prix will clash this summer on July 14
The Wimbledon men’s final has clashed with the British Grand Prix before, and was also on the same day as the World Cup final last year. But whereas cricket and tennis chiefs have been working closely to maximise the success of their respective events — with invites to the Royal Box likely to be offered to England cricketers, for example — Wimbledon have been frustrated in their efforts to liaise with their Formula One counterparts.
F1’s owners, Liberty Media, moved the start time of races to 10 minutes past the hour last season in the belief it improves the experience of TV viewers.
They decide the start time of all races, but hosts Silverstone are said to be happy as they can increase the time — and money — punters spend at the circuit.
A new £20million Silverstone Experience is launching this year, although 2019 could yet be the last time the British Grand Prix is staged at the famous circuit.
TV viewers, though, will be forced to choose between the marquee events. In the UK, Wimbledon will be on the BBC, with the British Grand Prix also available to a terrestrial audience on Channel 4. Sky will carry the F1 and broadcast the Cricket World Cup final.
It is even more complicated for foreign broadcasters. In the USA, for example, ESPN plan to carry the tennis on their main channel and show the motor racing on ESPN 2.
Attempts by Wimbledon chiefs to try and avoid the clash of sporting fixtures haven't gone well
Cold shoulder for loser's ticket to final hot seat
It's fair to say the ‘hot seat’ gimmick at the European Athletics Indoor Championships has not gone down well with most athletes.
Fastest losers — those who have missed out on automatic qualification but could still reach finals depending on how quickly others run — sit in a seat with a garish ‘ticket for the final’ until someone else bumps them out.
Olympic medallist Kelly Sotherton branded it ‘humiliating’ and Dina Asher-Smith labelled the organisers ‘out of touch’.
Equally baffling has been the staging of medal ceremonies in a concourse at Glasgow’s Emirates Arena, rather than next to the track. The podium is located between a vending machine and a hotdog bar.
The ‘hot seat’ at the European Athletics Indoor Championships has not gone down well
England stars seek end to FA rights saga
England players’ agents want to
