23/04/2014
NEWS STORY
It cannot be coincidence that for several years Soft Pauer's F1 Live Timing App was a virtual necessity for the serious F1 fan. OK, in the opinion of some it was a bit on the pricey side but then again for many of those who have grown up on the feast of free information available on the World Wide Web everything should be free of charge regardless of the time, effort and financial investment that has gone into it.
Now, before I go any further, I must admit that for much of the time that Soft Pauer marketed its Live Timing App, Pitpass was one of its main advertising portals. In December (2013) however, we were advised that promotion of the app in 2014 and beyond would be handled by the new promoter/rights holder. Whilst we were naturally disappointed to lose the revenue stream we remained fans of the app and the extra dimension it brought to fellow fans enjoyment of the sport.
However, after four races I am absolutely delighted that we are no longer associated with the app, which though still produced by Soft Pauer, the company which originally developed it, is now run by Formula One Digital, a division of FOM.
True, the app is now around a third of what it used to cost, but on the other hand it only appears to work for a third of the time. If that.
On Friday, many of those using the app for FP1 in Shanghai were greeted with a blank screen while a subsequent tweet announced: "We're having some issues... please expect session data to resume as normal in an hour"
An hour?
Ignoring the fact that those poor souls still relying on the official Formula One website were left with a screen saying "please wait", the fact is that those using the app had paid for this shoddy service.
Prior to this season Soft Pauer tested its system before every single session, just in case, now that the service is promoted 'in house' the attitude appears to be 'like it or lump it'.
While the reduction in price is to be applauded does it really have to be at such a cost, do fans really deserve to be treated so shamefully?
The service is wholly haphazard and unreliable, at stages over the weekend the information was either out of date or totally incorrect. If fans didn't need this service it stands to reason that they wouldn't have paid for it, yet, after four races, it is still as poor as it was in Melbourne.
Granted, now that Formula One Digital is at the helm a few more bells and whistles have been added, but what use are they when the basic app isn't working?
Most have bought the app for the core information they need - much of it previously supplied for free on the official F1 website - information not only related to sector times but tyre info, weather, pit stops and speeds. F1 isn't football, there is much going on, in terms of strategy and so on, that one cannot see, the Live Timing app was meant to afford fans the opportunity to keep track.
Even more frustrating than the unreliability of the app and the next to useless version supplied on the official website is the fact that in recent years a number of fans around the world have developed their own apps aimed at improving the experience. Be it live timing or feeds of the pit to driver radio, enterprising fans have added greatly to the experience... not with the intention of (shock horror) making money but to help other fans get the very most out of the(ir) sport.
Rather than embracing this talent however, one by one the FOM lawyers have picked them off, much as they have done with those fans posting on YouTube and elsewhere. Indeed, as we revealed yesterday, as the F1 trademark issue looks set to resurface, the purge continues, everyone has to have a licence. How long before the FOM police pop round to tell you that you cannot watch the Grand Prix whilst wearing your onesie and that only the official beer of F1 can be imbibed whilst watching the race? Indeed, as I head down the pub later for a pint in honour of St George, how long before the 'F1 Thought Police' restrict us from discussing the previous weekend's race... then again, who really wants to talk about Shanghai?
Bernie Ecclestone, an absolute dinosaur in terms of the 'interweb thingy' recently announced that there will be a new paid app available within the next couple of months that will bring F1 officially into the new age, whilst making it quite clear that "we don't do things for free". Perish the though Bern!
Bernie and the word altruism does not readily spring to mind, however whatever this wretched app is, will he at least ensure that it works, all the time and for everyone.
Chris Balfe