Schumacher's return doubles F1's TV audience in Germany

Michael Schumacher's Formula One return at the Bahrain Grand Prix was a big hit with German television viewers, as almost twice as many tuned in this year, broadcaster RTL said on Tuesday.

The seven-time world champion's comeback race was watched by an average audience of 10.5 million Germans on Sunday, compared to the 5.3 million viewers that the season-opening event attracted last season.

"We did expect higher figures, but we never dared think they would be that much higher," RTL sports chief Manfred Loppe told reporters.

The race had a market share of just under 50% and a peak audience of 11.6 million as German Schumacher, 41, finished sixth in a Mercedes on his comeback after three seasons in retirement.

Spain's Fernando Alonso won in a Ferrari and his teammate, Felipe Massa of Brazil, was second.