ESPN Star Sports has acquired the Asian cable and satellite rights to the FIA Formula One World Championships for 2001-2005.

Rik Dovey, ESPN Star Sports managing director, says: ``F-1 knows we have the best distribution of any sports network in Asia and they appreciate the value we bring to their product through our superior production, expert commentary and pre and post-race support programming.''

Formula One viewership on ESPN Star Sports has grown by nearly 10 per cent in the year 1999-2000 and the five-year deal represents the continuation of this, a company release states.

Formula One will be broadcast live on Star Sports Asia and Star Sports India each fortnight.