BBC urged to keep airing Formula One

Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone and McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh have urged the BBC to continue broadcasting the motorsport, amid reports that the corporation will drop its coverage from 2013.

The Sunday Times yesterday reported a senior source at the BBC as saying that the corporation will not extend its current five-year deal to cover F1, which runs until the end of next season.

According to the newspaper, the BBC feels the money spent on F1 would be better used elsewhere, as it attempts to slash its budget by 20% under the new licence fee settlement.

ITV previously showed F1 coverage but speculation is mounting that pay-TV broadcaster Sky Sports would be the leading contender to pick up the rights should the BBC pull out.

However, Ecclestone, who manages F1 on behalf of owner CVC Capital Partners, told The Times that he wants to keep the sport on free-to-air television.

"We want Formula One to stay free to viewers. That is 100%. The BBC have done a great job for us and we like their shows and the people obviously like it because so many are watching," he said.

"They did warn me that they were facing problems but, so far, nothing more has been said. I hope they want to keep us because it is such a success and I will do my best to keep Formula One on the BBC."

The BBC's F1 coverage has enjoyed record viewing figures so far this year, including Jenson Button's thrilling win at the Canadian Grand Prix attracting more than 6 million viewers last week.

Speaking to the Daily Telegraph, McLaren boss Whitmarsh said that it is "crucial" for the commercial model of F1 that the sport remains accessible to the largest number of viewers.

He noted that the "consistently high" quality of the BBC's coverage is also crucially attracting more younger and female fans to the sport.

"Formula One is the pinnacle of world motorsport - always has been, always will be. As such, it's appropriate that the BBC should continue to cover it," said Whitmarsh.

"I think it would be very sad, and most unwise, if the BBC were to disappoint so many millions of British sports fans by axeing it, and that's why I don't believe for a moment that they'd seriously consider doing such a thing."

Talk of the BBC dropping its F1 coverage comes after reports that Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation was considering a move to acquire the sport from CVC.