F1 reaches out to fans for Virtual Reality solutions in crowdsourcing challenge

F1’s crowdsourcing challenge, the F1 Connectivity Innovation Prize, has launched today for 2016 and once again the sport is reaching out to the fan base with two highly relevant challenges from the sport on which they can indulge their passion and help drive innovation.

JA on F1 readers have a strong track record in this challenge; last year's winner Paul Clarke from Australia, came from among our readership.

As we have been saying for some time on this site, the future of F1 - beyond broadcast- is in Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality and it's good to see that this year’s challenges will focus on how those technologies could be used to make the sport more immersive for fans, and help the teams work more effectively together in the run-up to and during each Grand Prix.

We really like this one, as it's all about bringing the fans closer to the sport.

The first challenge, launched today and open to entries, is set by Formula One Management and calls on tech enthusiasts to develop a solution that uses VR and AR to enable fans at home to experience a Grand Prix virtually. The solution should allow fans who are not at the live event to immerse themselves all areas into the exhilarating world of F1 – from the pit lane and the Formula One Paddock Club, to the drivers’ parade and the starting grid formation.

The second challenge will be set by the Mercedes F1 team in July. The F1 Connectivity Prize is a three way initiative between F1 Management, Mercedes F1 team and F1 connectivity partner Tata Communications.

Six winners - three from each challenge - will earn a VIP trip to this year’s US Grand Prix at Austin, with unique behind the scenes access. The overall winner will be announced in Austin and the grand prize is again US$50,000. Some come on, JA on F1 readers, get your entries in and maintain our strong record of providing winners of the challenge!

“We want to give as many fans as possible the opportunity to experience first-hand the thrill of a Grand Prix – and VR or AR could enable us to do just that," said John Morrison, the chief technical officer of F1 Management. "These technologies represent the next big innovation opportunity for the sport. In the not-too-distant future, they could enable fans to get virtually transported to a Grand Prix, complementing and enriching the race experience.”

Morrison is joined again on the judging panel by ex F1 drivers, turned TV pundits David Coulthard and Martin Brundle, as well as World Champion Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes technical chief Paddy Lowe and Mehul Kapadia of Tata Communications.