Beeb back on track thanks to Lewis factor

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It is understood that Ecclestone has lost patience with ITV, whose live race reports are interrupted by up to five three-minute commercial breaks during every race.

Famously, in 2005, the network angered fans by running adverts during a tense conclusion to the San Marino Grand Prix.

ITV repeated the last three laps after the race was finished but were inundated with complaints from angry viewers and fined by regulator Ofcom.

More recently, the standard of commentating was criticised by Ross Brawn, the technical genius who helped steer Michael Schumacher to seven world titles. Brawn, whose views are respected by Ecclestone, said: "Our commentators don't seem very good at conveying what is going on." For the BBC, the big attraction is Hamilton, who has made a sensational impact on the sport since making his F1 debut last season.

After winning four races he came within a point of taking the 2007 world championship. This season he has already won the opening Grand Prix in Australia and is favourite to take the chequered flag again in Malaysia on Sunday.

Coles said: "The biggest motor-sporting event in the world is returning home after 12 years.

"We were delighted when Bernie Ecclestone approached us about the return of F1 to the BBC. F1 is a crown jewel of sports broadcasting, so to bring the rights back to their traditional home from 2009 is tremendously exciting.

"Fans will be able to enjoy uninterrupted, state of the art and innovative coverage from BBC Sport for the first time since 1996."

It is believed the iconic theme tune to BBC's Grand Prix coverage, The Chain by Fleetwood Mac, will return and there may even be guest commentary from Murray Walker.