German free-to-air broadcaster RTL is considering extending its Formula 1 television deal yet again.

Last year, after a period of uncertainty, RTL confirmed that a new deal with Bernie Ecclestone had been reached.

RTL had been re-considering its deal for financial reasons, amid dwindling spectator interest in Germany.

Now, as the contractual issue arises again, RTL's sports chief Manfred Loppe told Sport Bild: "Our interest [in F1] is very much there.

"Formula 1 is currently in a consolidation phase. So far this year we are at an average of 4.3 million viewers, which is about 100,000 more than in 2015."

"And I'm optimistic that it keeps going upwards."

Loppe added that he thinks the close title battle between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg is the reason for the upswing.