F1-drive

[SinglePic not found]Michael Schumacher’s Formula One return at the Bahrain Grand Prix was a big hit with German television viewers as almost twice as many tuned in this year.
Mercedes Formula One driver Michael Schumacher of Germany takes a corner during he first practice session of the Bahrain

The seven-times world champion’s comeback race was watched by an average audience of 10.5 million Germans on Sunday, compared to the 5.3 million viewers the season-opening event attracted last season.

“We did expect higher figures but we never dared think they would be that much higher,” broadcaster RTL’s sports chief Manfred Loppe said.

The race had a market share of just under 50 per cent and a peak audience of 11.6 million as German Schumacher, 41, finished sixth in a Mercedes on his comeback after three seasons in retirement.

Spain’s Fernando Alonso won in a Ferrari and his team-mate Felipe Massa of Brazil was second.

Reuters