The F1 Content Loop We've Chosen
The Hidden Costs of Chasing Trends and Playing to the Algorithm
Hi there! Welcome to Track Limits, a weekly F1 newsletter where we break down the biggest headlines and explore the questions, topics, and trends that fuel our curiosity. Nothing is off-topic and a little fun is always part of the mix!!
Good evening!! This week, I’m excited to introduce our sixth guest writer for Track Limits’ special feature, Beyond Track Limits — a series where we dive into the topics and trends shaping the sport, with the help of experts and amazing insiders!!
In today’s issue, Cristina — a sports creator — unpacks the cycle of 'sameness' in Formula One-related content, exploring how algorithms and trends have shaped a media landscape where creativity and individuality struggle to break through.
There’s a small indent on the inside of my right pinky. It’s worn down and slightly callused. The tell tale sign of years of holding a phone up. Quite regularly the grip is to take a photograph. Other times to check messages or a calendar. But most frequently to scroll through an endless stream of content.
News stories. Race previews. Race reviews. What I would wear to the paddock. Trending sound lip sync with some text. Rinse. Repeat.
Scrolling through the F1 side of TikTok has become monotonous. Versions of the same content are continuously popping up. And to a certain extent that is not a problem. Fans use these accounts for pure enjoyment, and there is no right or wrong way to do that.
But for the content creator industry that has developed in the last 5 years, it is concerning.
So much of this industry has been built on trends, participating in ‘sameness’. It almost feels like a misnomer to use the term content creators. Depending on if you attribute it to creating something, in which case fine it is relatively accurate. People are creating videos. Or if you attribute it to being creative. In which case it is a loose definition.
The number of claims of content being copied in our sphere are notable and pop up every few months. Similarities in topics or series names, graphics used, or phrasing get pointed out. The timeline of when each video got posted is overanalyzed. And the most ‘damning’ bit of evidence; being blocked.
Every time we have these conversations, battles between the various fans of the creators tend to take the forefront. Partially due to the desire to defend someone that feels like a friend, but also because the original accusations rarely have any depth to them.
What’s trending follows this pattern by showcasing the common preferences. It rarely takes from the unconventional but magnifies the perfectly ordinary. Offering viewers the comfort of the familiar instead of anything truly new.
Parroting has become more common, chirping off the same information and opinions and in similar styles. Some of it is intentional, following the advice of so-called experts on how to achieve online success. Other times it’s due to the unfortunate lack of original thought that has developed from all of our content consumption being so similar.
The inspiration for videos and series came from the same place. And so many of the influences into how we think about the sport did too. It should be no surprise that the end products look the same. Outside of Formula 1 and even sports in general, there is a sameness plague.
Influencing the Influencers
In the ‘before’ life experiences and influences were much more varied. Book recommendations came from friends. Style inspiration from walking down the street or diving into a magazine stand. Music was introduced by a radio station and whatever the DJ was playing during commutes. Topical jokes came from popular television shows that played once a week, leading to 7 days of discussions and joking around. A meme was a printed out photo slapped onto a wall, staying up until it was faded and covered by another joke.
Now, there is a Tok for everything. What should you read next? Which movie? Song that you should enjoy listening to for 15 seconds on a loop? Clothing options? How about this micro trend that’ll last as long as it takes to eat a pack of grapes including crawling under the table.
Even our homes, places that used to be private and deeply personal are now closer to sets than truly lived in. The concern for how our spaces will look to strangers is growing. Lighting chosen for the camera instead of reading. Colour and style choices have become so uniform you could walk into the wrong apartment and not notice the difference.
It’s gotten so dire that two lifestyle creators have engaged in a legal copy cat battle over their minimalist, beige and all source-able from Amazon content. The idea that one could copyright this aesthetic is slightly worrisome.
Without a doubt many good recommendations come from TikTok; travel destinations, tips and tricks for the home, recipes for every craving, which team you should follow or race to go to. They’re also likely to be the same trending suggestions hundreds of thousands (sometimes millions) of people are getting.
Social algorithms function as feedback loops, utilizing their understanding of an individual and reaffirming their preferences. As vast as the internet is, accounts are frequently stuck on ‘their sides’ that have been curated based on pre-existing tastes. It greatly narrows the content that is being shown, limiting the scope of influence.
What’s trending follows this pattern by showcasing the common preferences. It rarely takes from the unconventional but magnifies the perfectly ordinary. Offering viewers the comfort of the familiar instead of anything truly new.
Within the F1 sphere a similar pattern has emerged. We are all seeing the same posts from the teams. Following along the adventures of the same 20 drivers. Reading the same news stories from the same dozen journalists. The community within the sport is so small and isolated that new or groundbreaking perspectives are few and far between.
Even the more ‘creative’ content seems to reference a small archive; team colours, significant locations like Italy, other race series, or vintage F1. Lovely pieces do still come from these inspirations but they are still within our comfort zones.
Algorithms further limit content by rewarding the extreme short form. Videos with high retention rates get pushed out more, which is easier to attain with a 5 second video than a minute long one (or 3 minutes). Leading to the introduction of the lip sync with text format.
Sharing a quick thought on social media is nothing new and a foundational part of most platforms. But when it is the dominant type of content it can lead to a lack of discussion. There is a limit to how much information can be put in this kind of video. How much context. Their effectiveness is also dependent on the creator having great written communication skills, something that has significantly decreased as of late.
In an environment where short term success is dictated by conformity, long term success is rewarded due to individuality.
Let us not forget that time is a commodity. The first person to post about an in demand topic is likely the one that is going to receive the most attention. In the mad rush to film, edit and post, research falls to the back burner and frequently falls off. Reaction posts are quick to go up and drive up a lot of engagement. By the time a more in depth post is ready, the algorithm has moved fans on to another topic. Creators are increasingly unlikely to take time to dig deeper asides from their own satisfaction.
With the first post of Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari, endless reaction posts flooded the timeline. All of which were expressing excitement and joy (which is always a delight to see). But there seemed to be very little content analyzing why he chose to wear what he did? Why was the styling of the photos so classic?
People seemed content to count the seven windows and look at the open door as Taylor Swift style references. Unsurprising since the Eras tour had dominated pop culture for the better part of two years and a previous Ferrari post included hidden 16 and 44. But to think Hamilton would make use of the same method seems strange (these photos were more likely inspired by the team’s history and a nod to the upcoming MET gala’s theme).
What is Creativity
There is no one size fits all way to interpret media. Simply because there are so many references that could be made and the ones that are being used are personal to the creator. Captivating content comes from people with a unique collection of experiences to draw from. Those who continuously enjoy learning and expanding their horizons, both in the content they consume and what they create.
Many people who don’t directly work in creative fields seem to think that creativity is something that just happens. But it is a skill and requires training, discipline and intentionality.
To be a creative person is to explore the world around you. And not just through a small screen. When it feels like the world is at our fingertips that can be hard to break out from. Especially with the instant gratification that comes from participating in a trend.
In an environment where short term success is dictated by conformity, long term success is rewarded due to individuality. Building up a unique archive of knowledge and references takes time and effort. Choosing to search for new people to follow and topics to dig into. Diving deeper into what already interests us. Most importantly, not being complacent and taking control of what content we consume. If we only watch what is presented to us then we are choosing to stay the same. Accepting a space that is becoming more and more unimaginative, uninspired and uncreative.
Cristina Lee Mace is a sports creator who works in motorsports and sailing, and enjoys hockey and lacrosse. Her content concentrates on continuously learning about the series she loves and exploring new ones, bringing viewers along with her. This year, she’s expanding to cover NASCAR and Sail GP.
Her work includes race weekend vlogs and reviews, The Bullet: good bullet points to know ahead of a race weekend, appearances on the Missed Apex F1 Podcast and hosting the Formula E show. In between all of this, she loves sitting down to answer questions that come her way, always encouraging people to ask more.
 | A guest post by
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Great posts, excuse my scatter brain, but here goes.
"To be a creative person is to explore the world around you. And not just through a small screen"
In the '70s, lets say for arguments sake. creative people actually raced and built stuff too. We had a magazines that would curate the best of what was happening. Ideas and events would take time to ruminate and gestate and over time evolve. People would go to races because the circuits relied upon spectator income, and thus would market them. I am not talking about F1... that wasn't the only show in town. At one stage you could go Silverstone and the event would just be Superkarts and you'd have thousands of people in attendance watching Bohlin, Hines, Hoy, Gange etc... duke it out. This was the old model, it was inherently more dynamic due tot he limitations in place.
What we see with F1 is just an expression of the Pereto Distribution. over time a smaller group of people gain all the resources and attention. it's not inherently evil or bad, just an observation. As F1 has become 'more popular', and takes places over more weekends... everything else kinda falls to the wayside.
Also it's worth bearing in mind that F1 is at historic lows for new drivers and new teams. If we account for the year when drivers made their actual debut, contrary to popular belief, there is no 'rookie bump'. new drivers per year, on average, has maintained record lows. it's even more severe with new teams. Once upon a time we would have been overwhelmed with new teams. The 1974 saw 8 new teams, now we're at about 1 every ten years with the new structures in place. The nature of the technical regulations means technical innovation is way less obvious. The good stuff now? you'll never hear about it.
If you think the sport has become a bit homogenous in times of reporting, it's because it's reflecting the direction the sport has taken. 2026 will be better in terms of intrigue, just a shame the engines are horrific.
So the observations the transient nature of content creating a grey sludge of homogeneity, which is kinda reflected in other forms of culture, whether it be music or whatever, are astute, F1 really isn't as interesting as it once was.
... and also, finally, risk. Boring safe content can fail and no one loses their job because they can point to someone else and say "well, it worked there". Risky content can't fail, because if you make it and it fails... you're the one in the crosshairs.