F1 Takes Steps to Improve Fan Experience

This weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix, kicks off a long European F1 season. This year, it will be even longer than 2017 following the return of France and Germany to the calendar. Now, Formula One Management has launched two initiatives aimed at making “visiting races this season even better”.

Formula 1 has partnered with FanVision Entertainment to create F1 Vision. F1 Vision allows Grand Prix attendees to delve into the event experience. All this will be with the help of state-of-the-art handheld devices.

FanVision was initially associated with American stock car racing series, NASCAR. Now, Formula 1 has joined the bandwagon. However, former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone was not convinced and opted not to renew the contract.

F1 Vision combines live race broadcast and replay highlights enhancing the viewer experience. Direct audio feeds allows the user to listen to live driver and team communications as well as Grand Prix radio broadcast. F1 Vision also displays the Formula 1 timing system, providing fans with real-time race data and statistics.

The device itself, is a compact and powerful handheld controller. Its features include a five-inch high-resolution touchscreen display, rugged exterior, kickstand for hands-free viewing, and includes earbuds for listening comfort.

The content is delivered via FanVision Entertainment’s digital transmitters, in other words, the devices aren’t dependent upon venue WiFi. The technology ensures high-quality interaction with the F1 Vision device from any grandstand location at the Grand Prix.

In the FOM’s second initiative, merchandise company, Fanatics will become the sport’s exclusive retail partner at Grand Prix weekends and online from the 2018 season onwards.

Fanatics operates more than 300 online and offline stores, including the e-commerce business for all major American professional sports leagues, major media brands and 200+ collegiate and professional team properties. This includes, some of the biggest global football clubs (Manchester United, Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund and Manchester City among others.)

According to FOM, “Fanatics will elevate the merchandise assortment by offering a wider range of premium products from Formula 1 and the ten teams participating to the Formula 1 World Championship, and items specific to each Grand Prix.