Ecclestone makes ITV pledge

The pictures available from Sky Digital come from Formula One Management's own feed, with various camera angles available, while ITV only has the pictures from the host broadcaster to rely on. But with F1 fans having to pay for Sky's coverage over a Grand Prix weekend, ITV still has an advantage of its coverage remaining free to viewers. It also holds a long-term contract with F1 that remains unaffected by the digital deal.

"ITV coverage is quite safe," Ecclestone said in the Daily Express. "They provide a detailed television feed although Sky now feel the time is right to add pay-per-view to boxing and football.

"[ITV] are very good at what they do and have done well with the coverage, but we will be doing something that viewers in this country have not seen before. There will be everything from different track shots to interviews, lap and sector times and behind-the-scenes action. The digital coverage is more detailed and we will do it differently.

"It has taken a while to sort this out in Britain, but I wanted it to be done properly and with Sky's technology, it will be well worth paying."

Details of BSkyB's coverage and exactly how much it will cost has yet to be announced.