Web3 gaming · Review
F1 Delta Time Closed in 2022: What Happened and What to Do Now
F1 Delta Time was a blockchain racing game run by Animoca Brands with Formula 1 owner Liberty Media. It ceased operations on 16 March 2022, and this guide explains what that means for former players and anyone searching the term today.
By the DappsAtlas editorial team · Updated

What was F1 Delta Time?
F1 Delta Time was an official Formula One game built on blockchain technology. It was developed with Animoca Brands, a gaming company with a large portfolio of Web3 projects, and it was tied to the commercial side of Formula One through Liberty Media, the company that owns the sport's commercial rights.
The game combined racing-themed play with digital collectibles. Players interacted with assets recorded on the Ethereum blockchain, which meant ownership of those items could in principle be checked on-chain and moved between compatible wallets. Many early blockchain games worked this way, using tokens or non-fungible tokens to represent in-game objects.
Because the project carried the Formula One name, it attracted attention from motorsport fans who had not previously used a crypto wallet. Its appeal was partly the brand and partly the idea of owning something from a licensed product. Readers searching for the term today are usually trying to answer one of three questions: what the game was, whether it still exists, and what happened to any rewards or items they earned.
The short answer is that F1 Delta Time is no longer operating. The sections below cover the closure, what it means for former players, and how to check for current information without falling for scams.
Why was F1 Delta Time launched?
The project was announced in 2019 as a new blockchain-based racing game with an official Formula One connection. Animoca Brands and Liberty Media were the public partners. Launch coverage at the time described it as a blockchain game running on Ethereum, which placed it among the earlier attempts by a major sports property to use Web3 mechanics.
Licensed sports games face a specific set of challenges. The licensor expects a consistent brand experience, the developer needs enough players to sustain a community, and the underlying blockchain must work well enough that players are not stuck with failed transactions or high fees. A blockchain layer adds costs and complexity on top of ordinary game development, and the economics depend on continuing player activity.
When a game's economy depends on new players buying in or trading assets, a slowdown in activity can put strain on the project. Crypto markets also move sharply, which affects the perceived value of any token or item. None of this is unique to F1 Delta Time, and it is one reason readers should look closely at any blockchain game before investing time or money.
If you are studying the history of licensed Web3 games, the useful lesson is that a famous brand does not guarantee a long operating life. The partnership, the platform and the player base all have to hold up over time.
When and how did F1 Delta Time close?
On 16 March 2022, Animoca Brands announced that F1 Delta Time would cease operations on that date. The company said it regretted the decision and explained that it had not been able to renew the arrangements needed to keep the game going. The full statement set out the wind-down details, so the original notice is the most reliable source for the exact wording and timeline.
A closure of this kind usually means the servers and the game client stop working, new purchases and activity end, and the project stops offering support. Whether any on-chain assets remain visible or tradable depends on how the items were recorded and whether the blockchain record itself is still accessible through public tools. A game can shut down while its tokens or collectibles still exist on a ledger, but that does not mean they can be used in a game.
For former players, the most important point is that the announced closure is a finished event. It is not a temporary outage. Any future relaunch would need its own official announcement, and you should be cautious about claims that a revival is imminent unless they come from the publisher's verified channels.
The closure also illustrates a wider pattern in blockchain gaming. Projects can end because of partner agreements, licensing terms, weak retention or changes in the wider market. Readers should assume that any game may close, even one with a strong brand behind it.
What happened to rewards and collectibles?
The closure announcement referred to rewards for players. Reward announcements for a shutting-down game can cover a range of things, such as a final distribution, a conversion process, a compensation scheme or a notice that no further payouts will be made. The exact terms are set by the company and should be read in the official statement, not in summaries posted elsewhere.
Because the details matter, avoid relying on memory or secondhand posts. Compare any reward claim with the original notice from Animoca Brands. If a step requires you to connect a wallet, sign a message or approve a transaction, confirm that the request comes from the official source before you do anything.
Some former players hold collectibles that they cannot use in a game but still own in a wallet. Whether those items have any resale value depends on market demand, which can fall to very low levels after a closure. Prices on secondary markets can change quickly, so check current listings directly rather than relying on past values.
If you cannot find clear information, do not pay anyone to process a claim. Legitimate reward processes do not usually require you to send funds to unknown addresses, and they do not ask for seed phrases or private keys. Keep a record of your wallet addresses and transaction history, as this can help if you need to verify ownership later.
How can you check whether F1 Delta Time is still active?
Many former players want to know whether a closed game has been revived, sold or rebranded. A reliable check starts with the original publisher and the companies named in the closure notice. Look for a current official website, verified social accounts and any press releases that clearly state what is happening.
Several warning signs suggest that a game is not active or that a post is not genuine. Be cautious if an account has a recent creation date, copies official logos without a clear link to the publisher, or pressures you to act quickly. Be equally cautious if the post promises guaranteed returns, free tokens or a recovery service.
It can also help to check whether the game's app store listing, download page or support email still works. A closed game often has no active support team, so unanswered tickets are not unusual. A missing response does not prove a scam, but it is a reason to avoid sending money or sensitive details.
Finally, look at the date of every source. Older articles from 2019 describe the launch and plans, but they do not describe the current state of the project. The most recent authoritative source you can find should be the one you rely on.
How can former players protect themselves from scams?
Anyone who once used a wallet with F1 Delta Time, or any closed blockchain game, should be careful about follow-up contact. Scammers often target former players because they assume those users still hold assets or want to reclaim them. Common tactics include fake support accounts, fake airdrop claims and websites that look like the original game.
The most important rule is that no legitimate support team should ask for your seed phrase or private key. These are the master credentials for your wallet. Anyone who asks for them can take control of the wallet and everything in it. Do not enter them into a website, a chat window or a form, however official it looks.
It is also sensible to review the permissions you granted to websites and apps. Many wallets show a list of token approvals and connected sites. Revoking approvals you no longer need reduces the risk that an old contract can move your assets later. Use a reputable approval-management tool from a provider you already trust, and check the address in the wallet before confirming anything.
If you receive an unexpected message about F1 Delta Time, pause and verify it through the official notice first. If you have already shared sensitive information, move your remaining assets to a new wallet that you control, using a seed phrase you have never shared, and report the incident to your wallet provider.
What does delta time mean in Formula 1 timing?
F1 Delta Time carried a name that many motorsport fans recognise, so the term delta time may already be familiar to them. In Formula 1 timing, delta time is the difference between two lap times, usually expressed in seconds with a plus or minus sign. It tells a driver or team how far ahead or behind a reference lap they are at a given point on the track.
The usual convention is that a positive delta means the current lap is slower than the reference, while a negative delta means it is faster. The reference might be the best lap of the session, the previous lap, the driver's own lap or a benchmark set by a teammate. Timing displays and broadcast graphics do not always use the same reference, so check which one is in use before comparing numbers.
Delta time is useful because it shows trends rather than just final times. A driver can see whether a corner is costing time, whether tyres are fading or whether the car is improving as fuel burns off. Teams use these figures to make strategy calls, and drivers use them to judge their pace in real time.
Drivers do not always rely on live delta. Some have said they prefer to work from other information during qualifying, and team radio often sets out the key timing messages. If you watch races, look for the reference point in the on-screen graphic and treat the sign as a direction of gain or loss, not a judgement of driver quality on its own.
How should you evaluate a blockchain game before you play?
F1 Delta Time is a useful case study for anyone assessing a blockchain game. The first question is who is behind the project and what they have delivered before. A known studio with a track record of shipping products is a better starting point than a brand name that appears only in marketing material.
The second question is what the game would be without the token or collectibles. If the core gameplay is weak, a token will not fix that. Try the game in its free form, if one exists, before paying for assets or entering a reward programme. Read the terms carefully, including any clause about changes, closures or the ownership of items.
The third question is how the game earns revenue and whether that model depends on constant new participation. Projects that rely on new buyers can struggle when activity slows. Projects that sell a product players value in its own right have more room to survive a quiet market.
The fourth question is what happens if the project closes. Check whether assets are stored on a public blockchain, whether they can be moved to other wallets and whether the company has committed to a reward process. Asking these questions before you commit time or money is the most practical defence against losing track of value in a game that later shuts down.
What are some alternatives if you liked the racing theme?
If you are interested in the racing theme but want to avoid assets tied to a closed token economy, several options exist. Polytrack is a free browser-based time-trial racing game with a level editor and no crypto element. It is a simple way to practise lap times and understand how small differences in braking and line add up on a track.
For readers who enjoy sports games but prefer a licensed format, Sorare offers fantasy football using digital player cards and lineups that depend on real match performance. It uses blockchain-based collectibles, so the same caution about wallets, fees and market prices applies. Check the current terms, costs and rules directly on the platform before taking part.
Off The Grid is a cyberpunk battle royale shooter with in-game NFTs, and Anichess is a free-to-play chess game with magical spells that includes a token. Both are alive in the market at the time of writing, but both carry the usual risks of games that mix play with digital assets. Treat any token or collectible as a volatile item rather than a savings product.
Whatever you choose, set a budget before you start, keep your seed phrase offline and never use a link from an unsolicited message to access a game. Reading the official notices and checking the date of every source will keep your decisions grounded in current information.
Frequently asked questions
Is F1 Delta Time still running?
F1 Delta Time was an official Formula One blockchain game launched in 2019 by Animoca Brands with Liberty Media. It ran on Ethereum and was built around collectible assets and racing-style gameplay. Animoca Brands announced that it would cease operations on 16 March 2022.
How can I check what happened to my rewards?
Start with the official announcement from Animoca Brands, which set out the closure date and the rewards arrangements. Check the company's own channels for any later updates. If a shutdown notice or reward process is not clearly stated there, treat claims from third parties with caution, because closed games often attract impersonators.
Can someone recover my old F1 Delta Time assets for a fee?
Almost certainly not. Anyone offering to restore access, sell old F1 Delta Time items or recover funds in exchange for a seed phrase, a private key or an upfront payment is very likely running a scam. Legitimate operators never need your seed phrase.
What does delta time mean in Formula 1?
Positive delta usually means the driver or car is slower than the reference lap, and negative delta means faster. The reference can be the fastest lap, the previous lap or another benchmark, depending on the timing system and the team or broadcaster showing it. Check which reference a display uses before drawing conclusions.
What should I play instead if I liked the racing theme?
Polytrack is a free browser-based time-trial racing game with no crypto element, so it is a low-risk way to practise racing lines and lap times. Sorare offers licensed digital football cards and fantasy play, and it is a different kind of sports game. Both are useful if you want to explore motorsport or sports themes without relying on a closed token economy.
Mentioned in this guide
dApps in this guide
Polytrack is a free browser-based low-poly time-trial racing game by Kodub, inspired by TrackMania, with a level editor; it has no crypto element.
Sorare is a fantasy sports game where users collect licensed digital player cards, build lineups and compete based on real match performance.
Anichess is a free-to-play chess game with magical spells from Animoca Brands and Play Magnus Group, with a CHECK token and staking on Base.
The Sandbox is a blockchain-linked virtual gaming world on Polygon and Ethereum, with token SAND and a new AI game engine in beta for creators.
Off The Grid is a cyberpunk battle royale shooter by Gunzilla Games with in-game NFTs, aimed at console and PC shooter fans curious about blockchain gaming.
Axie Infinity is a Ronin-based NFT game where players collect, combine and battle creatures called Axies, with its own AXS token.
Common is a non-custodial ZK privacy dapp on Arbitrum and Aleph Zero EVM that lets users shield funds and withdraw to a new, unlinkable wallet.
Crypto.com is a centralized crypto exchange and app for buying, trading and spending 400+ coins, with a Visa card, staking and a separate self-custody wallet.
An affiliate review site that ranks 10 crypto casinos and explains KYC tiers, wallets, networks and payment rails for crypto gamblers.
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