Cricketer Shreyas Iyer has been appointed as the brand ambassador for a Formula 1-backed sim racing initiative in India, as Mumbai Falcons Racing Limited announced the launch of the F1 Sim Racing India Open 2026. The programme is designed to build a structured national platform for emerging esports racing talent and strengthen India’s presence in competitive virtual motorsport.
The initiative has been launched under an agreement that grants Mumbai Falcons the rights to host an official Formula 1-sanctioned sim racing competition in India. Organisers say the project aims to bridge the gap between traditional motorsport and esports by offering young participants a professionally structured pathway into global-standard racing environments. The competition will be played on F1 25, the official game of the FIA Formula 1 World Championship, replicating real-world circuits, team structures, and race formats.
Shreyas Iyer, known for his consistent performances in international cricket and domestic leagues, has been chosen to represent the programme due to his popularity among younger audiences and his strong sporting profile. In his statement, Iyer said sport is about discipline and finding one’s edge, adding that the initiative offers a structured opportunity that he himself would have valued while growing up. He described his association as a chance to support a new generation of Indian athletes entering competitive digital sports.
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According to Mumbai Falcons Racing Limited, the programme is aimed at creating a long-term ecosystem for sim racing in India, combining online qualifiers with physical simulator rounds. The organisers said registrations for the competition will open on April 30 through the MFRL app, followed by a multi-stage selection process that will include city-based competitions before a national final scheduled in Mumbai in November 2026.
Company officials said the initiative reflects a broader vision to identify and nurture untapped sporting talent in India by providing access to structured global platforms. They added that esports racing can serve as a gateway for young participants to enter the wider motorsport ecosystem, which has traditionally been limited in accessibility due to high costs and infrastructure requirements.
The F1 Sim Racing India Open 2026 is being positioned as Mumbai Falcons’ most ambitious nationwide esports project so far, with organisers claiming it could help redefine India’s participation in international virtual racing competitions while expanding the country’s presence in the global Formula 1 ecosystem.
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