13.1m Tune In To See Hamilton Title Win

ITV1’s coverage of the climactic F1 Grand Prix in Brazil which saw Lewis Hamilton crowned as the new world champion attracted a peak of 13.1m viewers.

An average of 8.8m, a 42% share of audience, watched the entire race coverage from 4.00pm to 7.15pm – making it the most watched race since ITV began broadcasting the sport in 1997.

At 23 years old, Hamilton became the youngest F1 world champion in history and the first Briton to win the prize since Damon Hill in 1996.

ITV’s coverage of the final Grand Prix of the season also marked the end of the network’s contract to broadcast the sport after a 12-year stint. The rights now pass back to BBC for the 2009 season in a five-year deal for an unnamed fee.