FEBRUARY 26, 2006

Girl power hits German TV

The competition for Formula 1 viewers in Germany is hotting up with rivals RTL and Premiere continue their curious parallel arrangement in 2006. In an effort to bring in more viewers RTL has hired swimming star Franziska van Almsick to join its team of reporters alongside Florian Konig, Christian Danner, Heiko Wasser, Niki Lauda and Kai Ebel. The 27-year-old won four medals in the 1992 Olympics at the age of 14 and added further medals Atlanta, Sydney and Athens but never managed to get a gold medal although she won multiple European and World titles in various disciplines.

Premiere will be relying on the talents of 36-year-old Maren Braun, who has been a racing journalist since the early 1990s, who will work with Hans Stuck.