Ahead of the 2018 season, there have been changes to two major broadcasting deals involving Sky in the key European markets of Italy and Germany.

Italy has now all-but lost its free-to-air coverage after state broadcaster RAI failled to reach a new agreement with Liberty Media, leaving the door open for Sky Italia to secure exclusive broadcast and digital rights until 2020.

There will be just four races available for free to Italian viewers with TV8, who are a subsidiary of Sky, picking up four races including the home grand prix at Monza.

This deal comes after Sky Sports gained exclusivity in the UK, with Channel 4 unable to renew its live race coverage due to a previous agreement between Sky and former owner Bernie Ecclestone.