Lapz, the Apple Vision Pro app that puts Formula One races in mixed reality, is on hold after F1 asked it to stop using its content, as reported by UploadVR. In a message posted to its Discord channel, Lapz says it halted distribution through TestFlight while it explores “licensing opportunities with various racing leagues and tech partners.”
“F1® have respectfully asked us to discontinue the use of their F1®TV broadcast rights in our platform for the time being while we continue to advance our roadmap and enhance the beta experience,” the message says.
Lapz started out as just a concept video created by designer John LePore. However, the video garnered a lot of attention, leading LePore to work with a group of developers to create an early version of the app later launched through TestFlight in July.
Lapz uses web views to display races on a virtual screen, while also allowing F1 fans to keep track of each racer’s position on a 3D map. While the app itself is free, testers have to link their F1 Pro subscription in order to use it. The Verge reached out to F1 with a request for comment but didn’t immediately hear back.
For now, the future of Lapz is unclear, whether it remains an F1-focused app or allows users to watch other motorsports. In a reply on Discord, Lapz said if its dispute with F1 isn’t resolved, Apple “may be required to shut down our TestFlight.”
