Indian motorsport fans and gaming enthusiasts are set for a major opportunity as Formula 1® and Mumbai Falcons Racing Limited have announced the launch of India’s first Official F1® Sim Racing Championship. Named the F1® Sim Racing India Open 2026, the competition will offer a structured national platform for emerging talent.
The championship will be played on F1® 25, the official game of the FIA Formula 1® World Championship™, and will be open to participants on PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox. Online qualifiers will be followed by city-based simulator rounds, with the national final scheduled in Mumbai in November. Registrations begin on April 30 through the MFRL App.
India’s first Formula 1® Driver, Narain Karthikeyan, commented, “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.”
“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.” said Ameet Gadhoke, Managing Director, Mumbai Falcons Racing Limited.
