Ignacy Giżyński
Motorsport fans have received a long-awaited gift – Formula 1 streaming in 4K and HDR. The F1 TV Premium service, which has just debuted, offers the highest picture quality in the history of the series; however, enthusiasm may wane after learning about the technical restrictions.
What's new in the F1 app?
The key new feature is Multiview, which allows simultaneous tracking of multiple cameras (e.g., main view, selected car, or track map) in one window. Unfortunately, this option is not available on Android devices. Subscribers can also stream events on up to six devices simultaneously, taking advantage of additional benefits like onboard cameras, archived materials, and radio communication from teams. However, it is worth noting that VOD (video on demand) content is usually not rendered in 4K.
The new subscription package allows you to watch all Grand Prix sessions – from practices to races – in 4K resolution (3840x2160 pixels) with dynamic HDR and smoothness of 50 frames per second. The broadcast without HDR achieves a bitrate of 14 Mbps, while the version with extended color range and brightness reaches 17 Mbps. The annual cost of access to F1 TV PREMIUM is 89.99 EURO OR 11.99 EURO per month.
F1 in 4K is not for everyone
What's the catch? Hardware requirements. Currently, 4K HDR is only supported by apps on Apple TV 4K (tvOS) and Roku TV. The first solution is the only viable option for Europeans – Roku is practically nonexistent on the Old Continent. Additionally, older models of Apple TV (1st generation) limit HDR to 30 fps, which forces users to purchase newer versions (2nd or 3rd gen). The rest of the platforms are lagging behind. The F1 TV app on Google TV, Chromecast, browsers, or Android offers only HD in SDR. Users of iPhones and iPads can expect HDR, but the maximum resolution is 1080p.
Although F1 TV Premium is a clear step forward, there is a noticeable gap between ambition and reality. For many fans – especially in Europe – this means the need to invest in Apple hardware or wait for expanded support. Will updates follow the debut of the service? We'll probably have to wait until the next season for an answer.
