Television Viewing Figures Soaring in the UK

British television viewing figures for the Brazilian Grand Prix soared to new levels on Sunday and broadcasters ITV believe the latest numbers mark an end to the fans' recent defections.

Ferrari's dominance in last year's World Championship created such monotony that viewing figures struggled to reach previous levels. But the new rules introduced for this season, as well as the weather that helped the show in Australia and Brazil, seem to have done the trick.

More than nine million viewers switched on to watch last Sunday's drama-filled Brazilian Grand Prix and the channel expects that figures to rise even further when Formula One's European season kicks off at Imola, San Marino.

"It has been superb," said an ITV spokesman. "The unpredictable way in which the season has begun has definitely been an influence - and the figures have just kept going up with every race. We're over the moon.

"David Coulthard's great start in Australia, plus all the problems for Michael Schumacher and the new names coming through at the front have had people on the edges of their seats waiting to see what the next twist might be.

"The way the Championship is balanced at present - and the fact the coming races fall at a much better time for UK viewers - there is a good chance those figures will continue to increase."

Sunday's three-hour show drew an average 7.2 million viewers and peaked half way through at nine million, while ITV also claim their Friday and Saturday night qualifying highlights at midnight proved enormously popular.