Rules & Regulations

Session Predictions (Qualifying, Sprint, Race)

Overview

At the start of each season, participants can submit predictions for the final championship standings in both the Driver and Constructor championships. These predictions are locked before the first practice session of the year and scored at the end of the season.

What to Predict

For each Grand Prix weekend, you can submit predictions for:

Prediction Requirements

• You must select a different driver for each position (P1, P2, P3, P10)
• All four positions must be filled to submit a prediction
• You can modify your prediction multiple times before the deadline
• Your last submitted prediction before the lock time is the one that counts

Session Predictions

Season Championship Predictions

Submission Strategy

• Submit Early

  Don't wait until the last minute. Submit your predictions well before the 5-minute deadline to avoid technical issues or time zone confusion.

• Review Before Submitting

  Double-check that you haven't selected the same driver for multiple positions. The system will prevent duplicate selections, but verify your picks make sense.

• Update as Needed

  You can modify your predictions multiple times before the lock time. Use this to adjust based on practice session results or weather conditions.

• Focus on Races

  Race predictions earn double points. While qualifying and sprint predictions are valuable, races offer the biggest point opportunities.

Scoring Strategy

• Balance Safety and Risk

  Picking favorites (P1 favorites) is safe but common. Consider unique podium picks for solo bonus opportunities (+2 points per unique podium pick).

• P10 Predictions Matter

  Don't ignore P10 predictions. They're worth 1 point (2 in races) and can be the difference in close competitions.

• Season Championship Bets

  These offer massive point potential (up to 585 points). Submit thoughtful predictions before the season starts, as they're locked early.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Missing Deadlines

  The 5-minute lock is strict. Set reminders or submit predictions the day before to avoid missing sessions.

• Forgetting Season Bets

  Season championship predictions are only available before the season starts. Don't miss this high-value opportunity.

• Ignoring Sprint Weekends

  Sprint weekends offer an extra prediction opportunity. Make sure to submit predictions for sprint sessions as well.

Participation

• Participation in the Otters F1 Prediction Game is free and open to all registered users
• You must be at least 13 years old to participate
• Each user may only maintain one account. Multiple accounts are prohibited
• You are responsible for maintaining the security of your account credentials

Fair Play

• All predictions must be submitted in good faith based on your own analysis and judgment
• Collusion, sharing predictions with intent to manipulate scores, or any form of cheating is strictly prohibited
• Administrators reserve the right to investigate suspicious activity and disqualify participants who violate fair play rules
• Attempting to exploit technical bugs or system vulnerabilities is prohibited

Results & Scoring

• Official F1 race results are used for scoring. Results are typically updated by administrators within 24 hours of race completion
• In case of post-race penalties or disqualifications, the final official F1 results (after all appeals) will be used
• Scoring calculations are automated but may be reviewed by administrators
• Leaderboard positions are calculated based on total points accumulated throughout the season
• Season championship predictions are scored only after the season has ended and official results are finalized

Technical Issues

• The platform strives for 99.9% uptime, but technical issues may occur
• If you experience technical difficulties preventing submission before a deadline, contact an administrator immediately
• Administrators may, at their discretion, grant extensions for verified technical issues
• Server time is authoritative. Client-side clocks may vary, so always check the countdown timer in the application
• Predictions submitted after the lock time will not be accepted, regardless of technical issues

Data & Privacy

• Your predictions and scores are stored securely and are visible to other participants on the leaderboard
• Display names and profile information are user-controlled and can be updated in your profile settings
• Administrators have access to all prediction data for scoring and administrative purposes
• Your email address is used for authentication only and is not shared with other participants

Modifications to Rules

• These rules may be updated at any time. Significant changes will be announced to all participants
• Rule changes will not apply retroactively to predictions already submitted
• It is your responsibility to review these rules periodically
• The most current version of the rules is always available on this page

Reporting Issues

If you believe there is an error in scoring, a technical issue, or a violation of the rules, please follow these steps:

1. Review the Rules: First, check this rules page to ensure your issue is actually a violation or error
2. Check Timing: Verify that your prediction was submitted before the lock time. Check the session start time and your submission timestamp
3. Contact Administrators: If you've verified an issue, contact an administrator through the admin panel or via email
4. Provide Evidence: Include screenshots, timestamps, and a clear description of the issue
5. Be Patient: Administrators will review your issue and respond within 48 hours

Administrator Decisions

• All administrator decisions regarding scoring, rule interpretations, and disputes are final
• Administrators will provide clear explanations for any decisions made
• Decisions are made in the best interest of fair play and the integrity of the competition
• Repeated frivolous disputes may result in warnings or account restrictions