Framing of nationality in commentary on a globalized sport; Formula One

This thesis examines the tendencies of framing nationality within the British Sky Sports commentary on Formula One. At this point in time, international sporting events are often defined as important processes of globalization, as they bring people together beyond a nation’s border. However, international sporting events cannot be seen without nationalistic influences. In that sense, several scholars argue that the “banal” forms of nationalism are often “forgotten” or are disregarded as something that is fading within sociological studies. While these “banal” forms are precisely the forms of nationalism that are involved within international sporting events. All the while, broadcasters are faced with the need to attract the biggest, paying audience, in order to keep broadcasting rights and attract sponsors. By analysing the commentary on six grand prix (races) between the years 2019 and 2023, this study argues that, despite growing global audiences, nationalistic stereotypes and framing tendencies are very much still existent within sports commentary and do not seem to be decreasing.