Everything you need to know — from joining a league to scoring a perfect 33.
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Getting Started
4 topics covered
How do I create a league?+
Sign up at thefirstsector.com, name your league, and you're the league manager — your league is free to join, with the full app from day one. You'll get a 6-character invite code to share with your mates.
How much does it cost?+
Nothing. Hosting and playing are free — no card, no paywall, for the league manager and every player. Prize pots are managed between mates; no money passes through the platform.
How do my mates join?+
Two ways — copy your invite link from the Admin page and drop it in the group chat (it opens straight to your league, and the 6-character code works at thefirstsector.com/signup too), or send them a direct email invite from the same page.
Where do I find my picks page?+
Your personal link is emailed to you when you join. On your phone, open the link in your browser and save it to your home screen as an app icon — one tap away all season. On desktop, just bookmark it.
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Public Leagues
6 topics covered
What is a public league?+
A league for fans whose mates aren't into F1. It holds up to 20 players and you can join on your own, with no invite code. Pick "Just me" when you sign up. Picks, locks and scoring work exactly like a private league.
What if I join part-way through the season?+
You take a free seat and start from zero. Your points count from the first race you pick.
Can I play with a friend in a public league?+
Yes. When you join, choose a league from the list instead of "Put me anywhere", and have your friend choose the same one.
Is there a prize pot or a race report?+
No. Public leagues are just for the standings. Prize pots and race reports belong to private leagues, where a league manager runs them.
What happens if I stop playing?+
If you miss three races in a row, your seat in the public league is given to someone else so the league stays active. Your account, picks history and points are kept. Next time you log in you can rejoin a public league in one tap, and you carry on from the points you had.
Can I move to my own league later?+
Yes, any time. Open the menu and choose Change league. From there you can start your own league, join a mate's league with their invite code, or switch to another public league. Your points and picks history come with you.
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Making Your Picks
4 topics covered
When do picks open and lock?+
Picks open as soon as the previous race is done. They lock at the start of qualifying for each race weekend. Once locked, no changes — so don't leave it to the last minute.
What am I picking?+
Three things every race: your Top 10 finishing order (P1–P10), a Fastest Lap driver, and an optional predicted lap time for bonus points. At the start of the season you also lock in your Season Champions (WDC + WCC).
Can I update my picks after submitting?+
Yes — go back to your picks page any time before the lock and make changes. Whatever is saved at lock time is your final entry. You can update as many times as you like before then.
What if I miss the lock?+
No picks submitted means zero points for that race. The lock is hard — set to qualifying start time. Set a reminder on your phone so you're never caught out.
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How Points Work
4 topics covered
Top 10 points+
3 points if you pick a driver in the exact correct finishing position. 1 point if you picked the right driver but they finished in a different top 10 spot. 0 points if the driver didn't finish in the top 10 at all.
Fastest Lap points+
1 point for correctly picking the fastest lap driver. An additional 2 points if your predicted lap time is within 0.300 seconds of the actual fastest lap. Maximum 3 points available per race.
Season Champions points+
Locked in before the Australian GP and awarded at the end of the season. 2 points for correctly predicting the Drivers' Champion (WDC). 2 points for the Constructors' Champion (WCC).
What is the maximum score?+
Top 10 (30pts max) + Fastest Lap driver (1pt) + Fastest Lap time (2pts) = 33 points maximum per race. Plus 4 bonus points at season end for the champion picks.
⚡ Quick Reference — Points at a Glance
Exact position (P1–P10)+3 pts
Right driver, wrong spot+1 pt
Fastest lap driver ✓+1 pt
Fastest lap time (±0.3s)+2 pts
WDC Season Champion ✓+2 pts
WCC Season Champion ✓+2 pts
Max per race: 33 pts · Max season bonus: +4 pts
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Wildcard Swap
4 topics covered
What is the Wildcard?+
Each player gets one Wildcard Swap per season. It lets you swap two drivers in your already-submitted grid after qualifying has started but before the race begins.
When can I use it?+
The Wildcard window opens when qualifying starts and closes at race start. This is your chance to react to grid penalties, crashes, or surprise qualifying results.
Can I change or cancel my Wildcard?+
Yes — you can update or cancel your Wildcard swap any time while the window is still open. Once the race begins the swap is locked in permanently and your one use is consumed.
What if I don't use it?+
It expires unused at the end of the season — no rollover. Save it for a race where a last-minute grid shake-up could make the biggest difference to your picks.
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League Manager Guide
4 topics covered
Who enters the race results?+
Nobody — The First Sector handles it automatically. After each race, official results are pulled in and points are calculated for everyone without you lifting a finger. Just check back after the race and your updated score will be there.
Can I manage my teammates' picks?+
Yes — as league manager you can view and manage your players' picks from the Admin page. Useful if a mate is having trouble submitting before the lock.
How does the prize pot work?+
You set and adjust the prize pot from your Admin page. Collect entry fees from your mates however you like — the app tracks and displays the pot amount. You distribute winnings to the top 3 at season end.
Can I remove a member?+
Yes, from the Admin page you can remove any member except yourself. Their picks and points history remain in the records up to that point.