LONDON, March 20, 2008 (AFP) - The BBC has secured the television rights to show Formula One in Britain from the 2009 season, ending the 12-year-stranglehold of its commercial rival ITV, it said Thursday.

No fee for the five-year deal was released by the British Broadcasting Corporation.

Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone said he was "delighted", saying: "The BBC has some innovative ideas to consolidate and expand our UK fan base."

The contract will see F1 broadcast on the BBC website, as well as on TV and radio.

It a major coup for the broadcaster at a time when interest in the sport is high in Britain thanks to the success of British driver Lewis Hamilton.