F1 24 PC ... keyboard not recognized after startup screens

F1 24 requires a controller in order to play, using a keyboard and mouse isn't supported.

So I went out and purchased a Logitech game controller.  Plug it in ... PC recognizes it with no issues. 

I go into STEAM and it recognizes the controller - see STEAM F1 24 page below.     I start up F1 24 ... says it is loading and to press any key ... I press any key on the controller ... nothing happens.   I hit any key on my keyboard and then the game goes to the "No Preset Control Scheme for the Devices" as I attached above.   On this screen, Now the game won't recognize my keyboard or the controller.    I unplug my controller and the game recognizes I have unplugged it and shows a "Controller Disconnected" warning - see below - which also says "To Quit Splitscreen and return to the Main Menu, Player 1 Press "B" or "ESC"".  I plug the controller back in and the "Controller Disconnected" screen remains.   I press the red "B" button on the controller and then get a screen that says "Device in Use - the selected device is already in use by Player 1. Please attempt to connect a different device".    Now it won't recognize the controller or my keyboard again.   

The only way I can exit the game is to hit the Windows button on the keyboard and then go to the STEAM app and tell it to stop playing F1 24. 

Very frustrating ... I play many other sim games - AC, ACC, AC EVO, iRacing, RFactor2, Autmobilista2 ... and have NO ISSUES !!!   

Would like to finally get this game working correctly if someone could give me some advice as to what to change 🙏🙏🙏  Thanks. 

Anybody have any advice on how to make this game finally work for me ??

Thanks in advance, Bruce

I have the exact same problem, can anyone help!

I am still trying to figure out the issue.    The latest trail I am going down is I believe the game thinks my steering wheel and / or other inputs I have on my sim rig are additional controllers for a second player.   Ridiculous I know as they work in EVERY other game/platform I have ...   no other way to contact EA Sports or F1 series to get some help ... so we have to try and figure out these issues on our own.  

Such a shame that there is no support for the F1 series !!!

Hi bbgroovin, thank you for your reply, I also have the same problem that the game assumed I am trying to assign my controller to a second player.  Please see my devices list below, as same as your situation, every time when it stuck, I need to unplug the Xbox controller and plug it back in, then it recognized my Xbox controller, I just need to ignore all settings then all my devices work fine in the game.  And I have tried to unplug all devices without preset in F1 which marked with ** below from my computer, can't solve the problem as well.  In fact, I have the same issue on F1 23.

Microsoft Xbox Controller
Simagic Alpha Wheel Base
Simagic Neo GT Wheel
Simagic P1000 Pedals
** Virpil Flightstick + Base
** Virpil Throttle Control
** Virpil Flight Panel
** MFG Flight Pedals