F1 apologises after stuttering OTT platform launch

Formula One has apologised after viewers experienced a number of problems in trying to watch the newly-launched F1 TV OTT service at the weekend.

The service launched with coverage of the Spanish Grand Prix, but users experienced buffering and access issues from the outset.

The series acknowledged that there had been “some live playback issues” and offered subscribers a refund.

F1’s motorsport director, Ross Brawn, said that the launch “did not go very smoothly”.

He added: “Apologies to our fans, but we are dragging our sport from a place where none of these initiatives previously existed and we will get there.”

The series also launched its Twitter Live show at the weekend, as well as F1 Vision, a new handheld device via which spectators at the circuit can follow the race around the track.