Is Netflix off to the races as far as live programming is concerned? That might literally be the case, according to a new report from the Times of London. It reports that Netflix is once again thinking about throwing its hat into the ring for live Formula 1 racing rights after a failed pursuit in 2022 left the streamer in the dust.

Key Details:

• Netflix has hired an ESPN executive who oversaw F1 races on that channel.
• The streamer first tried to bid on F1 rights three years ago, but lost to ESPN.
• Netflix has added a considerable amount of live programming since then.

Live races would slot in perfectly alongside the Netflix F1 series “Drive to Survive.” Bidding for the rights can now begin in earnest, as The Times reports that current rights holder ESPN’s exclusive negotiating window with F1 is now expired.

Netflix already has an F1 expert waiting in the wings should it decide to get serious about pursuing the rights. The streamer has reportedly hired Kate Jackson, an ESPN executive who formerly oversaw F1 coverage as its new director of sports.

The last time Netflix tried to snag F1 rights was in 2022. Back then, the streamer didn’t have any live events to its name, but it still thought of F1 as the kind of affordable investment that could bring a big audience return. It eventually lost out to ESPN's bid of $90 million per year for F1 rights.

Netflix has added a big slate of live events since then, from comedy specials to WWE wrestling to live NFL games. It has a lot more experience providing live content now, and even has some sports broadcasting bona fides under its belt — though it still has some technical issues to iron out.

F1 rights are now on the open market, and Netflix could still be outbid for them. But it appears the streamer is once again trying to add Formula 1 races as its next regular live sporting event.

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