Formula One registered a fresh success in the German courts in Frankfurt yesterday, winning its fight to retain television rights for Grand Prix races.

The appeals court threw out a German producer's bid to break the television monopoly held by Bernie Ecclestone's Formula One Constructor's Association, which was awarded the rights by Formula One's governing body, the International Automobile Federation (FIA).

Wolfgang Eisele, the producer, is also pursuing the case through the European Commission. The issue of TV rights is a central factor in Ecclestone's plans to float Formula One on the stock market.