BBC wins Formula One rights

Motor Sport : Formula One will return to the BBC from the 2009 season after the corporation secured a five-year television rights…

Motor Sport: Formula One will return to the BBC from the 2009 season after the corporation secured a five-year television rights deal, it was announced today.

Twelve years after ITV won the rights and began broadcasting the sport, the BBC have managed to bring Formula One back in a major coup for the organisation.

Bernie Ecclestone, chief executive of Formula One Administration Limited, said: "I am delighted to conclude this new deal with the BBC. I wish to thank ITV for their commitment to Formula One and the high quality of their coverage.

"It is an exciting time in Formula One and the BBC has some innovative new ideas to consolidate and expand our UK fanbase."