The start of the 2025 racing season brings exciting news from Ziggo Sport as the popular television program Ziggo Sport Race Café introduces its new presenters, Chris Zegers and Shelly Sterk. This shift marks not only new faces for the show but also the launch of Ziggo Sport's own racing team, Ziggo Sport Tempesta Racing, and the acquisition of exclusive broadcasting rights for the GT World Challenge.
On February 28, 2025, Ziggo Sport kicked off the new season with the announcement during the show itself, putting to rest speculation about who would take the reins from former host Rob Kamphues, who has moved to Viaplay. Chris Zegers, known for his work on 3 op Reis and as an experienced rally driver, expressed his excitement to transition from guest to host. "After years of being a guest at Race Café, it’s fantastic to now have my own place at the table. Being able to express my love for motorsports as the host is a long-held dream coming true. I’m eager for this adventure and for an incredible new season!" stated Zegers.
Shelly Sterk, another significant addition, is well-known for her presence on shows like RTL Boulevard and Galileo. A dedicated motorsport fan, she combines her journalistic expertise with her passion for racing. "I am very excited about this new adventure at Ziggo Sport! Combining my love for Formula 1 with the joy of live television will be, for me, a huge celebration," Sterk commented during the show.
A notable return to the program includes former F1 driver Robert Doornbos, who will maintain his connection with Ziggo Sport from Dubai, contributing insights from various racing events. The familiar faces of Olav Mol, Jack Plooij, and Renger van der Zande will also return, providing their perspectives on the latest developments. New to the café is MotoGP legend Wilco Zeelenberg, who promises to bring unique insights to the discussions.
Further enhancing the show’s offerings, Ziggo Sport has introduced Ziggo Sport Tempesta Racing, its own GT3 racing team, expected to compete actively throughout the racing season. Ziggo Sport is now the first Dutch sports network to have its own racing team, and the fans will have exclusive access to the team’s activities and races through the GT World Challenge. Tempesta Racing, established in 2019 by racer Chris Froggatt, has rapidly established itself as a leader within the GT3 class and will be showcasing the Ferrari 296 GT3 this season. Froggatt, along with Eddie Cheever III and Marco Pulcini, will drive for the team, demonstrating their commitment to excellence.
"Motor and auto sports are popular viewing sports in the Netherlands and are key elements of our programming. We already have partnerships with racers such as Rinus Veekay and Renger van der Zande to bring the emotions of the sport and the experiences of the drivers closer to our audience. With our own racing team, we can do even more," stated Marcel Beerthuizen, the director of Ziggo Sport. He also mentioned plans to find a fourth driver for the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans event, underlining the ambitious nature of their new venture.
Fans can expect to see Tempesta Racing compete not only throughout the GT World Challenge but also at the renowned 24-hour race, where they will make their debut this year. Their participation is expected to unite motorsport enthusiasts across the Netherlands as they cheer for their team.
This year also marks the reintroduction of the GT World Challenge to the Dutch racing calendar, with events slated for May 16-18 at Circuit Zandvoort, creating significant buzz within the racing community. Ziggo Sport will provide exclusive coverage of the races, ensuring fans are kept up-to-date with every moment of the action.
Ziggo Sport has also announced its partnership with the much-anticipated F1® Exhibition Amsterdam, which will start on April 17 at the Kromhouthal. The exhibition, previously shown in cities like Madrid and London, will offer viewers exclusive previews of its highlights through Ziggo Sport Race Café, keeping motorsport fans engaged even off the track.
The Ziggo Sport Race Café airs every Friday at 22:30 on Ziggo Sport (channel 14 for Ziggo customers), and can also be accessed via the Ziggo GO app and the Ziggo Sport Totaal app, making it more accessible than ever for fans to tune in. The broadcast will continue to provide comprehensive coverage of not just motorsports but also other significant sports events, including UEFA Champions League, Serie A, and more, showcasing Ziggo Sport’s dedication to delivering top-tier sports content.
With exciting new hosts and enhanced programming, Ziggo Sport Race Café is poised to be the ultimate destination for motorsports enthusiasts this racing season.