Schumacher return sparks huge German TV figures

Michael Schumacher’s return to formula one on Sunday triggered impressive television statistics within Germany.

The free to air broadcaster RTL said an average of more than 10 million viewers - a market share in excess of 50 per cent - tuned in to watch the seven time world champion finish the 2010 season opener in sixth place.

The average German audience in Bahrain last year was a little over 5 million.

But Saturday’s German TV viewers were very unhappy after Schumacher’s decisive qualifying lap in ’Q3’ was not shown.

"Michael Schumacher’s onboard camera was unfortunately not working," a spokesman for Formula One Management told Bild am Sonntag newspaper.

"He was also seventh, so the cameras were focused on the cars placed further forwards."