Singapore – The Formula One on ESPN STAR Sports is well set to draw huge interest from Asian fans yet again with many new developments that highlight the sport’s growing prominence and popularity leading up to the inaugural race of 2010, with the Bahrain Grand Prix flagging off last weekend live on STAR Sports. As ESPN STAR Sports enters its 19th year showcasing the Formula One on its networks, 2010 also sees the continued long-term relationship with PETRONAS as STAR Sports Formula One partner. The sport looks set to receive a major boost with aficionados keenly anticipating the return of the most successful F1 driver, Michael Schumacher. The seven-time world champion recently came out of retirement to join MERCEDES GP PETRONAS Formula One and is expected to be a major draw for viewers in 2010. In addition, motorsport fans across the region can look forward to the addition of a seventh Grand Prix venue in Asia with the inaugural Korean Grand Prix in October, increasing the calendar to 19 races with the return of the Canadian Grand Prix after a one-year hiatus. The introduction of the new Malaysian-backed Lotus F1 Racing would also garner interest in Malaysia, which drew nearly 3.5 million viewers to STAR Sports’ comprehensive F1 coverage in 2009. In addition, the recent announcement of former ESPN STAR Sports race commentator Karun Chandhok joining the new Hispania Racing team have sent ripples across India as the second Indian driver to compete in Formula One. This, in addition to the steady rise of the Force India team last year, will be sure to give more than 22.6 million viewers in the Indian sub-continent plenty to cheer about this season.