Formula 1® Reviews

by American Tifosi AKT

I like using Formula1 notifications to remind me when the race is, because in my busy life, I sometimes need that. However, if you turn on notifications, they do more than just remind you that practice, qualifying, or the race is about to begin, they also send notifications when the results are posted. Usually, they are cryptic “Come see who came out on top!” type notifications, but not this weekend. Now, as a Ferrari fan, I didn’t mind the results telling me how Ferrari was fairing in practice, as I knew I probably wasn’t going to go back and watch those—I have a busy life. However, the spoilers remained through Qualifying and the race. As someone with a F1 TV subscription so I can watch the race either when it airs, or after it ends (due to other more important engagements on Sunday’s that sometimes prevent me from watching live) I was quite peeved that the notification I received told me the race results. The banner notification should let me know that results are posted, so if I want to spoil the race for myself, I can, but not give me no option about it. After being very good for the entirety of the race and not opening timing and scoring, so I could go home and enjoy the race later, the F1 app ruined it for me. I’m deleting Formula1 . It’s not worth it to me, and I suggest others do the same, or never download it in the first place.

by AB101010

Formula1 is not at all user friendly. It is almost impossible to get through even 10 minutes of a race if you are interested in switching cameras. Switching cameras will always lead to buffering issues and at some point you will get kicked out of the race you are watching, then you will need to fast forward to try and find your spot. Also, there is no support for AirPlay to an Apple TV. You have to screen mirror and the video is always poor compared to apps with built in AirPlay support. All in all, great concept, very poor execution. With all of the time on their hands currently, I would hope an update is in the works. If Formula1 is the same by the time my subscription expires, I will not renew it.

by Genevieved88

I know the fantasy portion of Formula1 isn’t its complete use, but it’s so incredibly hard and annoying to use with a handful of glitches for a business of this magnitude I would think it would receive some attention.

The fact that you have to dig through Formula1 to find the fantasy section is difficult enough, but then that you have to login every time you hit the back button seems overly secure for an app that has no financial features.

You can’t change your team name because of a glitch the blocks the view of the type box. It’s slow beyond belief, the leader boards don’t update usually for more than 5 hours after a race and it’s overly clumsy to just move about the fantasy section. It’s actually a discussion every Sunday for the years we gotten together to watch F1… it’s amazing to all of that it can be this bad. It takes away from the whole experience just a little. I’ll speak for all us that we hope some effort and attention can be put into these features of Formula1 for future use!

by M&MS79

With multiple updates the website has improved from the first release, fortunately, but it is full of pictures and lacking on information. The tech analysis is very good, but I would like more of the technical. The navigation is horrible, it seems the website designers wanted to be creative and unique, that is not helpful to a user and why I gave only 1 star. I have years of experience in software and website design, and this design is difficult to use (and that is being kind).

The historical data is nonexistent. There is no short or long term data, or at least I can’t find any. Short term being detailed race data, each driver, each lap time showing each driver’s fastest lap, pit stops with times, etc. For long term data there should be detailed data back to the beginning of F1, all races, all drivers, etc.

I have been an F1 fan for many years and especially love using live timing during the race. They finally have useable Live Timing data, but to include track position you lose essentially all the rest os useful timing data. (The previous F1 owners had a much better design.

1 star website, it needs a lot of improvements.

by Tall Short

OMG! Never seen such a horrible major version “update” in my life. The race timing screen is a complete and utter disaster, compared to the older version. Formula1 became a complete garbage, in this condition it’s not worth any money, much less the pricey yearly subscription price. The old screen was very informative, well designed color scheme with very good information density (i.e. a lot would fit on the screen). The current version is ugly (which of course is subjective, some might like it), but beyond any argument, only about 25% of the info , compared to the older version, fits on the screen. If something is not done immediately I’ll have to cancel my subscription. I really need to figure out how to downgrade to the last 10.x point release, which , of course is most likely not possible any more. ....... oh, boy.....I’m truly disgusted.

by MittenSmitten

The incredible spectacle of F1, long the premier motorsport of the world, is now dead. The mantra of “let them race” doesn’t work without adherence to the agreed upon set of rules. This season was a dumpster fire of manipulation from every conceivable avenue. Pre-season changes that were meant to hobble the perennially dominant competitors is understandable for the sake of tightening up the competition. But major rule changes that were strategically deployed to significantly favor certain competitors mid-season to ratchet up the drama is disgraceful. Making rule changes (as well complete reversals of previously established rule interpretations) mid-race, multiple times, is appalling and unacceptable. Appeals from many teams to maintain long established standards of sportsmanship, safety, and professionalism were ignored in favor of boosting ratings via contrived drama, dangerous driving & tactics, harassment campaigns, and enabling a particular team principal’s petulant behavior to override safety procedures. This sport has become a farce.

by THXEY

Issues: Forgets log-in information all the time, makes me watch 30 second ads on videos for an app that i’m a “pro” paid subscriber on, there is no Airplay for videos…that’s insane. When an ad is playing, you can’t get out of the ad without quitting Formula1 . I really don’t get that, when you click a link to another F1 article within Formula1 , it will open the link in safari and not Formula1 ….??? why? that’s such a clunky user experience. why not just open the article within Formula1 ?

I literally can’t say anything good about Formula1 with the exception that it lets me watch F1. That’s it.

Please make it better.

by F1Since1986

The previous version needed a little work, but generally gave you Key information on one screen during the race and qualifying: lap times, sector times, and during the race, gap to the lead, interval between drivers and the ability to turn on driver radio transmissions. The new app shows lap time, gap to lead and interval between drivers on one screen but only six max drivers at a time. With the previous app, I could see the entire field on my tablet. I have to go to a 2nd screen to see sector times (really annoying during qualy) and still can only see the top six, missing drivers who have just gone out on track and are setting competitive early sectors. Graphics and color choices are also poor and inferior tot he previous version. I also found that my “no spoiler “ alert had been reset, so when I tried signing on Formula1 with my phone during the race I the hopes of avoiding screen switching with my tablet, I was shown the Singapore (current race) results totally ruining my enjoyment of that race. Terrible update. This should have gone to a Beta release with a representative sample of fans! I will cancel my subscription if this is not fixed- actually worse than just following broadcast. - F1 fan for over 25 years

by Davidlefavor

Updated 2 April 2019.
Team radio works now, but either the teams are on radio silence during practices or Formula1 isn’t picking it up deliberately.

The timing screen changes deliver less information and different information than the old F1 app. I guess I can live with it, but for the high subscription price I expect more. The text commentary has disappeared completely, and it’s something I used when live audio was inappropriate.

So, while the improvements are welcome, Formula1 is still not nearly as useful as the old one.

Original review:
Far less information than the prior version. Live timing is way behind the actual real-time event, at least 15-20 seconds. Team radio seems to not be present at all. Driver tracker map is out of sync with the telemetry. I might as well just watch the ESPN/Sky Sports coverage as Formula1 no longer adds value.

Fortunately, thanks to other critical reviewers they have done a standalone live timing app, “F1 Live Timing” that is the old version. Get that.

Formula1 in general is very much non-intuitive to navigate. If it does not improve massively I won’t be renewing my annual subscription.

by Akagi86

I honestly have almost no issue with Formula1. The interface is nice and simple to use. You guys are great at immediately putting up a practice, qualifying, and race once they’ve aired. My two biggest issues are 1) The commentary cuts out randomly for a few seconds throughout the race in any race video you watch and 2) Why can’t you guys update the archive and start putting races from previous seasons? I’m paying monthly and I’m only able to see a handful races from each year if that. You really need to start updating the archive. That’s what sold me in the first place. I’m satisfied and contempt with Formula1 /service cause I can at least stay up to date on current races but you can improve. The archive is honestly my biggest thing

by Steve_76

For those of us who don’t want to shell out the extra cash for the full app the new live timing in this version is abysmal. The original live timing was already short on information and the new version is ten times worse, you can’t even see how much time is left in a qualifying session or see lap times only time behind the leader. The rest of Formula1 is descent and a little more simple (in a good way) and easy to navigate. The live timing feature needs serious improvement, let some people have some more involvement in the race who may not be able to catch the race on tv and don’t alienate the people who don’t/can’t pay for the full version.

by Swines2

First, unless something has changed in the past month or so, it is crazy there is not an apple TV app.

That aside, the iPad version of Formula1 could use some work, first it buffers more than any other streaming app, I am not a tech expert so I am not sure why but it does more with Formula1 than any other, and the image quality for an entire race could feel like I am watching the race in the 90’s on the TV.

Second, I cannot do a split screen on my iPad with Formula1, I often want to reference some of the rudimentary items that come with the F1 app that are not in F1 TV app. I cannot do a split screen with the current F1TV app so I am left to use my phone, it seems there could be a better way.

Third, Often - the audio and video do not line up and I have to restart Formula1 a few times to get it to sync.

I realize most of my issues can be summed up with connection issues, but I am able to stream any of my other services with 0 issues. I point this out so you understand I am comparing apples with apples.

The good, I love watching F1 and Formula1 is the best way for me to do it.

by Anthony11221

It’s not just the cars that crash...so does Formula1. Watch none of the exciting racing with F1! Open Formula1 ..and see the excitement build as Formula1 crashes right before your eyes letting you experience all of the imagination of what you could have seen! Simply the most awesome self experience you will witness. Now come on F1...really?? The previous timing apps were already quite good...it’s what got me hooked and showing off the cool features at track side. This year decided to go all in for the season but now cancelling because your stupid app is not working on the new iPad Pro. Seriously...do you guys test this before you release? Not to mention that navigating Formula1 is a cobbled bit of several apps, TV, Timings, and News. Just put the whole thing in one app...seriously...you are making it way harder than it needs to be to find content...that is IF Formula1 is working.

by NYSE133

I’ve tuned in to watch the beautiful data screens I’ve loved for a long time and they are gone!! They have updated Formula1 and made massive changes. Taken away the track view showing a beautiful overall look at driver locations and substituted this amateurish screen with dots!! Took away a very detailed screen giving the viewer (us) all the data for all drivers on same screen. I could look at this view and know gaps, sector times and more all on one screen along with the track view. I was fully informed with increasing or closing gaps of all driver with a single screen, not to mention 4 other screens showing any other support information you wanted.....all gone!! They now have these simple screens. Nothing is combined...if you’re looking for anything combined like sector times and gaps....forget it...not there....you have no single way of telling who’s gaining on who! My ability to see what I want to see data wise has been taken away. I have to swap back and forth between several screens to get the same combined data you use to have last week!! You’re new version of Formula1 is foe beginners.

by DempaV

I was unaware of the new app segregation where the wonderful live timing has moved to a separate app. Not sure why and why they kept a strpped down timing in Formula1 at the same time. Having now been guided to the new apps I am happy again :-) strange though why Formula1 needed the splitting and confusing with overlapping functionality but once you are aware on the updated concept I guess you can find your own workflow for the diff apps. I still think one main app would be best with clear ref to sub app if you need that spawned off due to performance reasons or such.

by I Love Taylor Swift :)

Can’t scale to fit iPad I can only see the top ten, used to be able to see all.
There is a scale button on my iPhone in the settings at the top of the live timing page.
But not on my iPad. We’re paying for this and it has continually gotten worse not better. I’ve subscribed to Formula1 for as long as it’s been available and unless you do a better job it may be the last time I renew. F1 fan for 55 years. You can do better than this

by Thief275

The Formula 1 App has been a great “free” investment for my phone. The Formula 1 App has afforded me the best access to the most current news and information within the Formula 1 world. In the past, I would use different sources to gather what I wanted to know. The F1 App gives me access to all aspects of Formula 1 that is unparalleled (tech talk, news articles, driver and team information, and so on).
Formula 1 TV (which I became a member of) from the F1 App has been an even better investment! I would strongly recommend any true F1 fan to become a member for the additional access alone. There’s just too many positives to mention. Make the leap in faith with F1 App and F1 TV for one season, you won’t be disappointed.
Respectfully,
Mike

by Skydive_777

Pathetic service with live streaming. The earlier version had a lot more information on one screen for live streaming. In fact, I used to mute the TV audio commentary and have Formula1 ’s audio commentary on. Not anymore! Also, simple things like calendar sync is gone. Not worth the price anymore. I will not renew my subscription next season if all these changes to live streaming and other missing features from the previous version are not addressed. If Formula1 Developer’s plan is to add an “Advanced” version with all the missing information from the previous version with a higher price, I’m NOT buying! You can see from the other reviews that a lot of subscribers of Formula1 are very unhappy with the updated version and have similar complaints.

by BenKnifes

I’m giving it a 5, because Formula1 is a must have for any F1 fan, and specifically for subscribing to the live timing data when watching a race live or replaying the live timing data when watching the broadcast later.

That being said, I really would prefer to give it 4.5 stars because I wish there were an option to hide race results (results are hidden on the F1TV app). Living on the West Coast of America, I don’t get to watch most races live since they’re on very early. A few times I’ve accidentally seen podium results in Formula1 when trying to load the replay of the live timing data to watch along with the DVRd broadcast.

If your an F1 fan it is 100% worth it to pay the yearly or monthly fee to be able to catch all the practices, qualifying sessions, and races, especially if your a cord cutter.

by ZeusBAP

The live (or delayed) timing, tire, etc info is awesome. I usually run Formula1 on my iPad while watching the race. Great interface, great data, great extra radio audio that you don’t get on the broadcast.

Two requests to the developers:
1. The extra audio commentary is really cool. It would be more helpful if it showed the team and driver’s name longer when starting a transmission. By the time I look down the display usually has already cycled to the temperature. Just show that driver’s name until the clip is over.
2. Add some method to synchronize timing to a broadcast. The live stream is about a minute behind so I have to pause and estimate when to start manually. Not ideal. Not sure how to do this from a programming point of view, but maybe some audio recognition like Shazam? There has to be a simpler method though...

by Happycamper33

With multiple updates the website has improved from the first release, fortunately, but it is full of pictures and lacking on information. The tech analysis is very good, but I would like more of the technical. The navigation is horrible, it seems the website designers wanted to be creative and unique, that is not helpful to a user and why I gave only 1 star. I have years of experience in software and website design, and this design is difficult to use (and that is being kind).

The historical data is nonexistent. There is no short or long term data, or at least I can’t find any. Short term being detailed race data, each driver, each lap time showing each driver’s fastest lap, pit stops with times, etc. For long term data there should be detailed data back to the beginning of F1, all races, all drivers, etc.

I have been an F1 fan for many years and especially love using live timing during the race. They finally have useable Live Timing data, but to include track position you lose essentially all the rest os useful timing data. (The previous F1 owners had a much better design.

1 star website, it needs a lot of improvements.

by Totti18

Again another feature disappears. In one of the older versions of Formula1 there was an option to add the next scheduled event to the face of your Apple Watch. It was awesome. All I had to do was look at my wrist to see exactly when, in my time zone the next event would take place! One day Formula1 updated and it was gone. Ok, that kinda sucked but at least they had a widget that would almost do the same thing. Not anymore. Stop talking away the stuff I use the most. But if you guys are doing it on purpose you should either get rid of the news section or the time zone conversion in app since those are the next two things on the list for me. Cheers!

by Mr.Whom?

I’ve had the F1 app since 2010, and have used it almost exclusively for the live timing/track positioning. They’ve completely changed the layout to try and make it more accessible, and in doing so, have made the live timing/track positioning function useless. The “live telemetry” is gimmicky, and the new track map/track positioning feature is useless, as all you can see are color coded dots. This is perhaps the worst app update I’ve ever experienced, and it completely alienates the loyal fan base who love to watch the race unfold by drowning themselves in data. Please change it back. Please.

by SidRyu0705

I love Formula1! It’s great for looking into all the stats. The one problem that I have is replaying live timing with the subscription, which almost isn’t worth it. Since I live in Australia, the races and the practice is often late, so I listen in with the replay the following day. The problem I have is that the “live” stats aren’t in sync with the commentary. For example, the stats will be on lap 15, but the commentary will be on lap 20. This is very frustrating as I like to watch the stats and listen at the same time. Overall I love Formula1, but replaying live timing is a serious failure.

by Plezops

I can’t always watch practices or qualifyings live and when the push notification comes at the end of the session they tend to spoil the action and removes the anticipation ☹️😩. I like the notifications because they help make sure I’m “on time” to watch the events during race weekend but I’d love to have an option for either a no-spoilers mode or to no receive results notifications and instead only get starting notifications.