F1 star Daniel Ricciardo has been tapped by ESPN to host an “alternative TV show” with actor and comedian Will Arnett for three races this season… starting next week in Canada!
- Arnett has experience from a Formula 1 podcast he used to host
- Ricciardo spent his 2023 F1 season as a test driver at Red Bull
- DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
Australian racing driver Daniel Ricciardo and Canadian actor Will Arnett will co-host three alternative Formula 1 racing telecasts this season.
ESPN has announced that the duo will team up for the Canadian Grand Prix on June 18, the United States Grand Prix in Austin on October 22 and the Las Vegas Grand Prix on November 18 for a show called “The Grandstand.”
In a press release, Ricciardo expressed his desire to break into American television.
‘This is going to be a hoot!’ said Ricardo. “As you’d expect Will and I are going to have a blast with the show, but we hope you’ll feel like you’re watching F1 with your friends.
“We’ll have amazing guests, lots of laughs and hopefully bring the fans of the sport I love so much closer together. Buckle up in America!”
Daniel Ricciardo and Will Arnett will host an alternative telecast of Formula 1 events
The pair will be on TV for three Grand Prix races this season live on ESPN 2
Arnett, who hosted an F1 podcast with racing legend Mika Hakkinen, said he was delighted to have the chance to branch out.
“The more I learn about Formula 1, the more it intrigues me,” Arnett said. “The opportunity to work with Mika on my podcast was fantastic, and I’m really looking forward to doing this show with Daniel. We’re going to have fun, and the viewers too.
“As the popularity of Formula 1 continues to grow in the United States, we are thrilled to offer fans another way to enjoy the sport and a way for new fans to learn more,” said Kate. Jackson, ESPN’s vice president of production. .
“Daniel’s effervescent personality will resonate on television, as will his practical knowledge.
“And we are very happy to be working with Will. He will bring the perspective of a dedicated F1 fan to the telecasts as well as his unique and humorous way of enjoying F1. It will be a great combination.
These will be led by Omaha Productions – the entertainment company run by Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning.
Peyton and her brother Eli began hosting alternative Monday Night Football shows in 2021 on ESPN2 called ‘Manningcast’.
“It’s great to partner with ESPN to extend the ‘megacast’ format to F1,” said Peyton Manning.
These simulcasts will be broadcast on ESPN by Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions
“We are excited to do this project with Daniel and Will. They are good friends who will bring expertise and pleasure to the broadcast.
Ricciardo is currently without a permanent seat after being bought out of training at McLaren last season.
He has made a return to Red Bull as a test driver for the 2023 season and is waiting behind the scenes for his next move.
Rumors have surfaced that Ricciardo could join Red Bull sister team Alpha Tauri – with suggestions saying they are unhappy with rookie Nyck de Vries’ performance.
