Download, Speed!

The 2015 Formula One season has already begun with a bang. And it seems like only yesterday that the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix wrapped up last season with Lewis Hamilton bagging the World Drivers’ Championship. The new season has brought on rule changes, shift in loyalties and losing team directors accusing the winners of having unfair advantages (*cough* Red Bull *cough*) and it’s shaping up to be a cracker of a season. And you can keep yourself updated using your smartphone and tablets, anywhere and anytime. Here are some apps that every Formula One fanatic should download.

Let us start with the big daddy of ‘em all. The sport’s official app has been updated for the current season. It is the big daddy of F1 apps for a reason – you get the absolute best data from it compared to any app out there in the market. The home screen gives details of the upcoming race – in this case the Malaysian Grand Prix – such as pictures and videos from last year’s race, a blueprint of the track and the schedule and results of the practice sessions, qualifying and the eventual race. The drop-down menu at the top right of the screen houses sections such as News and Media, Live timing and Tracker, Results, Teams and Drivers, Store among others. The live timings on race day are an absolute peach, and you don’t miss the TV experience if you aren’t near one. It’s a free app but you have the option of upgrading to ‘F1 Access’ which will set you back exactly ₹1,575.48. The upgradation will let you access English commentary during the sessions; eyes and ears to team radio, trackside reporting and social feeds; interactive race map with gears and speeds; tyre usage, pit stops among others. Couple of things to keep in mind: the app can get a bit sluggish due to its data-richness and that in turn will require you to have 3G connectivity on your device.

Price: Free with in-app purchases

Platform: iOS and Android

Arguably one of the most trusted news organisations in the world, the BBC has a comprehensive app for sport fanatics. The BBC also has the rights to cover the sport in the UK and has a dedicated index for all things F1. BBC has made an effort to keep things simple and the dedicated F1 section feels unflustered and easy to use. The customary video clips, radio coverage and general news are all available here to keep fans engaged. It is a free app and there are no fancy upgrade packages on sale here. It is just easy ingress and egress…just apex the turn and exit.

Price: Free

Platforms: iOS and Android

This is one of the lesser known apps. The ESPN brand in its television avatar is almost a distant memory for Indian sports fans as the channels have been rechristened Star Sports. However, the legacy lives on in the digital world. The app provides Formula One coverage in both English and French. Content include news, features, and live commentary during races, and detailed information about teams, drivers and circuits. The interface is a bit slow and frustrating and the content looks a tad bit limited. There is no drop-down menu like in the official app and there are no interactive features which we have come to expect from a dedicated sports app. However, all things said and done, what it has going for it is goodwill. Sport fanatics revere the name ESPN and it was most probably a big part of our lives up until the later stages of the last decade. It’s an app that tugs the nostalgic strings of our hearts and seems adequate for the non-fussy user.

Price: Free

Platforms: iOS and Android

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