Seven has revealed the broadcast team that will front its Supercars coverage this year, kicking off at the end of February with the Mount Panorama 500.
Mark Beretta will be taking the lead on the coverage, supported by Abbey Gelmi in her first Supercars commentary role. Australian rally champion Molly Taylor and Mark Larkham will be position in the pit lane, and Supercars driver Jack Perkins will provide additional commentary.
Acting as a roving reporter, Australian cricketer Brad Hodge will be highlighting the fan activity around Mount Panorama. Motorsport stars Neil Crompton, Mark Skaife, Craig Lowndes and Garth Tander, as well as Charli Robinson, will also support the coverage.
Seven secured the free to air (FTA) rights to the Supercars in September last year with a $200 million five-year deal. The network will broadcast six Supercars events, including the Bathurst 1000, while Foxtel will continue to broadcast all races. Seven’s coverage will also be available on 7Plus.
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The deal marked a return of Supercars to Seven after six years with Ten.
Mount Panorama 500 is the first of the six races that will be broadcast in 2021, taking place on 27 and 28 February. The Bathurst 1000 will round out the season in October.
Seven Melbourne managing director and head of network sport, Lewis Martin, said: “We’re counting down the days until the world’s greatest touring car championship returns to where it belongs, on Seven and 7Plus.
“We are rapt to bring all Australians the passion, intensity, chaos and sheer excitement of V8 racing, with a fresh new commentary team that will give our new era of motorsport coverage a dynamic edge.
“There’s no better way to get things started than at Bathurst, the spiritual home of Australian motorsport.”
Further coverage of the 32 Repco Supercars Championship races on Foxtel will be hosted by Fox Sports’ Jess Yates, and called by Crompton and Skaife.
Robinson will be the pit lane reporter for the Bathurst 12 hour, and motorsport expert Chad Neylon will provide additional commentary.
Lowndes and Tander will also throughout Foxtel’s coverage.
Yates said: “I am thrilled to be leading the Supercars commentary team in our seventh season on Fox Sports. We’ll take you with us through every twist and turn as this year’s narrative unfolds on-track.
“I can’t wait to see who steps up with Scott McLaughlin off to Indycar and how Jamie Whincup will fare in his final full-time season. It will be fantastic to have Mark Skaife and Neil Crompton alongside me on the host desk as well as Craig Lowndes and Garth Tander back on deck. Bring on season 2021.”
The Supercars broadcast will also feature a change in the graphics packages. The digital offering will also be available on Supercars’ international online service SuperView.
Supercars head of television, Nathan Prendergast, commented: “It is a pleasure to announce our new-look commentary team in conjunction with Foxtel and the Seven Network as we prepare for one of the most anticipated Championships in recent times.
“The credentials of our commentary team are unrivalled, from some of the greatest drivers to have ever driven a Supercar, to Australia’s most respected and experienced commentators and presenters.
“We’re excited to integrate new talent who, alongside our experienced team, will continue to provide fans in Australia and around the world with exceptional coverage of the world’s most exciting touring car series.”
Foxtel’s coverage will also be available through Kayo. Mount Panorama 500 will also launch Kayo’s freemium product, Kayo Freebies.