India is set to host its first official Formula 1 sim racing competition, with Formula 1 and Mumbai Falcons Racing Limited announcing the F1 Sim Racing India Open 2026.
The championship will be conducted under an agreement granting Mumbai Falcons the rights to host an official F1-sanctioned sim racing competition in India. It aims to establish a national competitive platform for emerging talent and create a structured pathway from virtual racing to professional motorsport.
According to organisers, this is the first time Formula 1 has introduced a programme of this nature exclusively for India, reflecting the country’s growing motorsport audience and gaming ecosystem.
The launch also coincides with renewed discussions around bringing Formula 1 back to India, alongside a surge in fan engagement driven by gaming and digital platforms.
With e-sports now officially recognised under the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, the initiative is positioned to connect Indian participants to Formula 1’s global driver development ecosystem.
The championship will be played on F1 25, the official game of the FIA Formula 1 World Championship, replicating real-world circuits, formats and team liveries used in the global series.
Registrations will open on April 30, 2026, via the MFRL App, available on both Android and iOS platforms. Participants can compete using PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox systems. The competition structure will include online qualifiers, followed by city-based simulator rounds, leading to a national final scheduled in Mumbai in November.
Speaking on the announcement, Narain Karthikeyan said, “India has long been central to global growth story of Formula 1. With 78.8 million fans and a generation raised on F1 gaming, the time is right to introduce an official, competitive Sim Racing Championship here. Mumbai Falcons are the ideal partner, having invested years in building India’s motorsport pipeline. This initiative is unique, globally exclusive, and will set a new benchmark for talent development.”
Ameet Gadhoke, Managing Director of Mumbai Falcons Racing Limited, said, “When we founded Mumbai Falcons in 2019, our ambition was to place India firmly on the global motorsport map and build a pipeline for world-class talent. Mumbai Falcons became the first Indian team to win an FIA-accredited international racing Championship. We have also supported the early careers of future Formula 1 stars. Partnering with Formula 1 to bring the F1 Sim Racing India Open 2026 to life is yet another significant initiative in that direction.”
Mumbai Falcons has previously supported the early careers of several international drivers, including Jehan Daruvala and Kush Maini, along with multiple emerging global talents.
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