| dc.description.abstract | This study explores the interplay between fans and platforms by examining the platform vernaculars of the hashtags #f1 and #f1tiktok, looking at the visual and content themes as well as the sociotechnical elements. For this purpose, a dataset of 200 TikTok videos was collected, coded and analysed through a digital methods approach that combines a hashtag and content analysis to study the Formula One community and their grammars of communication on TikTok. Drawing on the data collected and the findings, this research reveals how hashtags contribute to the creation and development of a shared participatory culture among Formula One fans on TikTok, which has led to the emergence of a distinct platform vernacular surrounding the hashtags #f1 and #f1tiktok. Their platform vernacular mainly revolves around Formula One drivers and their creative expressions that incorporate vernacular creativity. This demonstrates how the community facilitates and encourages a remix culture, which is further exemplified through the frequent sharing of content from other platforms (cross-platform sharing) and the creation of fan edits, thirst traps and memes. Additionally, memes, trends and popular hashtags are leveraged by the Formula One community to appeal to the virality-centric logic of the platform and boost their visibility. On the other hand, elements of the vernacular are also adopted by public figure accounts for similar purposes. Consequently, this research underscores the importance of hashtags, and thus a platform’s affordances, in the creation of a shared participatory fan culture. Therefore, these findings contribute to the current academic debate surrounding platforms and the interplay between their affordances and user interactions and forms the foundation for further research on the creation and development of participatory cultures around sports, specifically Formula One. | |
