Promotional artwork for "The Grandstand" on ESPN2 and ESPN+, featuring headshots of Daniel Ricciardo to the left and Will Arnett to the right with Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in the background.

Promotional artwork for "The Grandstand" on ESPN2 and ESPN+, featuring headshots of Daniel Ricciardo to the left and Will Arnett to the right with Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in the background.

How to Watch 'The Grandstand' F1 Broadcast with Daniel Ricciardo and Will Arnett on Sling

Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo and actor Will Arnett are bringing their own "Manningcast" to select F1 broadcasts on ESPN2 in 2023.

Watching sports is better with friends. It’s an inherently social experience. Having people around with whom you can share in the joy of wins, the sadness of defeat, or even just debate the choices of teams, players, and the like - it’s all part of what makes sports fun. And it’s even better if your friends happen to be Formula 1 driver Daniel Ricciardo and actor Will Arnett!What are you talking about? Great question! Beginning this Sunday for the Canadian Grand Prix, ESPN2 will feature a new show called The Grandstand with Daniel Ricciardo and Will Arnett. American football fans will recognize the format which is modeled after the highly successful Manningcast with former quarterback brothers Eli and Peyton Manning hanging out to provide comedic and insightful commentary on the game. They also welcome special guests throughout the Cast to join in on the fun. It’s sports, it’s friends, it’s famous athletes and guests - a new way to engage with sports is great!

https://www.youtube.com/embed/9Hr_P_YiznM

Okay…but who are these hosts? I’m glad you asked. Will Arnett is an accomplished film & TV actor who’s also done a ton of voiceover work - you might also know him from his podcast SmartLess. Watch TV for an hour and you’ll hear his voice on a commercial or three, and you’ll recognize him if you watch Arrested Development and other shows.

But the real treat here is F1 driver and 8-time Grand Prix winner Daniel Ricciardo; call him Danny Ric for short or "The Honey Badger" (especially if you have friends who’ll be impressed with your burgeoning F1 knowledge.) F1 is often known for its glitz, glamour, and incredibly technologically-advanced racecars. Danny Ric stands in somewhat contrast to the occasionally uptight F1 stereotypes; and is well known (and loved) by F1 fans for his irreverent sense of humor, his energy and excitement, and his willingness to tell it like it is. They’ll have to keep the bleep buttons close by as these two are primed to test the limits and bring humor and driver-specific insight to the F1 broadcast.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/IgRIuFUK43c

But you said this Danny Ric guy is a driver. Shouldn’t he be racing? Sort of! F1’s most famous face these days is Max Verstappen, #1 driver for Team Red Bull. While there are 9 other F1 teams vying each week for victory, every team has a reserve driver who helps test the car on off-weekends, work on strategy, and car set-up in their million dollar simulators, and can jump in at the last minute in case of injury or illness. But they don’t race on raceday unless the team requires it - and that’s where Danny Ric is today, with Team Red Bull.

Early in his career, Danny Ric joined Red Bull, as teammates with Verstappen. He eventually chose to leave the team and spent time with two other teams in the F1 paddock (a paddock is F1 for “garage” for those still new to the lingo). After stints with Renault and McLaren, Ricciardo chose to rejoin Red Bull as their third driver in 2023. And now, instead of watching the race from the paddock, he’ll offer live commentary live during the race!

So...why should I watch? Well, dear reader, you’ve got this Danny Ric character who knows the ins & outs of F1 because he’s still active within the sport. He can give incredible insight to what the drivers are going through because he still drives! It will be a really great dynamic with the famously dry and witty Will Arnett, who also happens to be a dedicated F1 fan. The two hosts will bring in special guests during the broadcast, and they'll share stories, tell jokes, and help give fans a unique way to experience Formula 1. Danny Ric will be doing his bit live trackside in Montréal, while Arnett will join remotely.Alright, I’m in. How do I watch? You, me, and all our F1 friends can tune to The Grandstand three times during the 2023 F1 season, including this Sunday, June 18 at 2pm ET on ESPN2 for the Canadian Grand Prix in Montréal. You can still stream the normal Sky Sports' broadcast on ESPN3 with Sling Orange, or ABC with Sling Blue in select markets, but we'd suggest flipping over to ESPN2 sometime during the race to hear Ric and Arnett's elite commentary. The Grandstand will return later this season for the United States Grand Prix in October and the inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix in November if you can't get enough. Welcome to a new way to watch F1! - Jason Jewett

Sign up for Sling Orange below to watch F1 racing all season long, including The Grandstand with Daniel Ricciardo and Will Arnett on select weekends!

https://main--sling--aemsites.aem.page/aemedge/fragments/try-sling-orange