FOX Deportes secures right to Formula One.

FOX Deportes has secured the U.S. Spanish-language television rights for the 2010 season’s final four races and full-season package in 2011 and 2012, it was announced today by Vincent Cordero, the network’s executive vice president & general manager.  The first event to be televised live by FOX Deportes this year is the Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday, Oct. 10 (1:00 AM ET), followed by the Korean Grand Prix (Oct. 24), the Brazilian Grand Prix (Nov. 7) and the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (Nov. 14).  In addition to race coverage, FOX Deportes is also planning to cover qualifying for each event.

“Formula One™ racing is one of the most popular sports on the international stage,” said Cordero.  “We’re excited to be adding four races this year and full coverage in 2011 and 2012 to the FOX Deportes schedule.  F1™ is world-class programming that is sure to resonate with our U.S. Latino audience, particularly with the 2011 debut of Mexican driver Sergio Perez who will race for the BMW Sauber Team.”

The battle for the Formula One™ world championship this season is as tight as it’s ever been, with  Australian Mark Webber (Red Bull/Renault) holding an 11 point lead (202-191) over hard-charging Spaniard, Fernando Alonso (Ferrari).  Webber boasts wins in Spain, Monaco, Great Britain and Hungary, eight podiums and 14 points finishes this season.  Alonso, hot on Webber’s tail, has victories in Bahrain, Germany, Italy and Singapore, seven podiums and 12 points finishes.

As the season winds down and with the championship far from decided, the circuit heads to legendary Suzuka Circuit in Nagoya, Japan this weekend.  In addition to live race coverage early Sunday morning, FOX Deportes carries qualifying, live from Nagoya on Saturday, Oct. 9 at 1:00 AM ET.   The track is widely considered one of the best on the calendar; and features its own theme park.  Fernando Tornello is the lead race announcer and is joined by analysts Juan Fazzini and Adrián Puente.