Disney (ESPN) buys F1-live.com

[darwin dali]

Finding its spark in the mind of a passionate fan, Michel Marvie founded the first online motorsports information service 20 years ago. An IT specialist, driver, and great fan of motorsports, it is with the desire to share his enthusiasm that he established the first online motorsports-dedicated service during the late 1980s, the 36.15 CHRONO Minitel service.

Drivers, partners, and spectators alike could consult results and news coming in live from the circuits or rallies, all at their leisure and from the comfort of their homes. The service was only available in France at that time... even if Michel Marvie was already travelling around the Formula One world with his Minitel in hand!

Then the internet came along... In a constantly evolving world, Michel could not let such an opportunity pass. Already a pioneer with his online Minitel service, in 1995 Michel Marvie would be amongst the first to take the next step, accompanied by a small team including yours truly.

Now appearing on that fantastic new global network – the famous WWW – the RACING-LIVE company's first website came online. F1-Live.com was born in surroundings enriched by texts and images, to which statistics, archives, videos and audio files, interviews and many other services would be added over the years. The RACING-LIVE.COM sites would quickly become world leaders in regards to motorsports-dedicated news.


In 2000, thanks to the unconditional support of strategic and financial investors, the Montpellier-based company – and its network of international correspondents – rapidly found their cruising speed amongst fierce competiton, even in regards to news services which had access to greater means and which were also repositioning themselves within this new media.

Despite the adversity, the passion remained intact. Michel and his colleagues found the resources to continue upon the mission they had given themselves: delivering an ever-increasing amount of news to our readers, without ever losing the trademark quickness, precision, and quality which represent the strengths of RACING-LIVE.COM.

But, following the adage that there is strength in numbers, it appeared that moving closer to a major strategic organisation of international dimension was essential in order to continue the adventure at an ever-higher level. The foremost objective is to always offer expanded services to Fans, more live results, and a greater amount of information to our readers - to those who have been loyal to RACING-LIVE.COM over the years, as well as to those who have recently discovered us.

In other words, to give Fans what they wish for: bringing them closer to their motorsport passion.

Therefore, what could be better than to join with ESPN, undoubtedly the greatest sports media of the planet, itself an integral part of the ever-fantastic Disney group.

The dream has become reality: ESPN, the sports information specialist, by means of its many television and internet services, was able to judge the value represented by the RACING-LIVE.COM sites. That value wishes to progress further, and it is with such an objective in mind that the global group has today acquired the RACING-LIVE company and its affiliates, RACING-LIVE Japan and CAPSIS International.

The acquisition will not affect the identity of the sites you are fond of: Racing-Live.com, F1-Live.com, Rally-Live.com, Moto-Live.com, Raid-Live.com... but they will all be enriched by an optimisation of editorial means, new technical support, a new organization, and for you – our readers – an expanded news content.

For each one of us, passionate motorsport fans that we are, RACING-LIVE.COM ands its principal websites, including F1-Live.com, are a phenomenon... even cult sites. Their existence is born of passion, their long-standing presence is due to your loyalty and confidence towards those working in new forms of media.

Today ESPN will propel the RACING-LIVE.COM universe towards the summit, but rest assured that the websites will remain as always: developed and renewed for you, the motorsports FANS, along with our present staff in its entirety. Yes, I will once again be aboard for a new adventure...


Dunno, but could be good for everybody: better coverage for us and maybe more exposure of F1 in the US.

[Rivelution]

can you summerize it for me

[darwin dali]

can you summerize it for me

Read the topic title

[Rivelution]

So what will happen?

[darwin dali]

So what will happen?

Read the last sentence (by MOI): one can hope...

[darwin dali]

I just don't think there will be any Micky Mice jumping around on F1-live any time soon

[Rivelution]

That would be awesome if F1 got more coverage in America. Maybe it will teach Americans that there is other forms of racing other than nascar

[Kiwi_Chris]

That would be awesome if F1 got more coverage in America. Maybe it will teach Americans that there is other forms of racing other than nascar

the only problem there is although NASCAR racing is boring the overall show is better than F1 atm

Still its good that the US is taking more intrest in F1

[bud]

they bought Racing Live, its not just an F1 website

[McLaren Fan]

Americans have no idea what good motorsport is. Hopefully this will educate them!

[bud]

Americans have no idea what good motorsport is. Hopefully this will educate them!

ahh they have their act together with MX

[texasmr2]

I'll disregard the 'american' spinner and get to my question, I wonder how much they paid for it?

[darwin dali]

they bought Racing Live, its not just an F1 website

Yes, it's now called Racing Live but it definitely started out as an F1 site:

"Racing-Live.com is the world's largest independent motor sports website with three million unique users. F1-Live.com was launched on the web in 1997 and expanded to Racing-Live.com in 2000 to incorporate coverage for all main European motor sports. Whilst the site's main focus is Formula 1, which it covers in 6 languages, the site also covers Rally, Moto GP, endurance and kart racing. There is an extensive journalist network, creating in-house editorial content. The site is available on the web and mobile and includes a premium section for video and mobile alerts. The head office is based in Montpellier, France, with freelance editorial contributors around the world in all key markets."

...and its main focus is still F1 and so it should be!

[bud]

hopefully they dont change too much thats the main site i go on for F1 news

[nextgen-auto]

Hello all,

I just saw this topic. I was the former chief webmaster of Racing-Live.com (F1-Live.com) in France and when ESPN launched their new website, our office was closed and we were out of jobs.

With the help of some colleagues at F1-Live we have opened a new website called Nextgen-Auto where you can continue to follow us.

The website is opened since 10 days and we already have thousands of visits. We hope the website will please you with a lot of news and High Res pics, and a lot more to come.

If you like it, thanks to help us... we want to fight our unemployment with this website.

This is not a spam, just an information on our situation.

Best regards,

Franck