Shreyas Iyer named brand ambassador for F1 Sim Racing India Open 2026
Synopsis
Shreyas Iyer steps into esports as brand ambassador for India's first Formula 1-sanctioned sim-racing championship. The F1 Sim Racing India Open 2026, backed by Mumbai Falcons, opens registrations today and targets November's national final — a structural first in bridging India's cricket-to-esports talent pipeline.
Key Takeaways
Shreyas Iyer named official brand ambassador for the F1 Sim Racing India Open 2026 , a Formula 1 -sanctioned esports racing competition.
Registrations opened on 30 April via the MFRL app ; competition culminates in a national final in Mumbai in November 2026 .
The championship runs on F1 25 , the official FIA Formula 1 World Championship game, replicating real-world circuits and team formats.
The initiative is Mumbai Falcons Racing Limited's largest nationwide project, designed to address structural gaps in India's esports racing ecosystem.
Iyer was chosen for his disciplined sporting excellence and authentic resonance with younger, emerging audiences.
Shreyas Iyer has been appointed official brand ambassador for the F1 Sim Racing India Open 2026, a Formula 1-sanctioned esports racing competition hosted by Mumbai Falcons Racing Limited. The announcement, made on 30 April, marks the launch of a structured national platform designed to identify and nurture emerging sim-racing talent across India and create a direct pathway from grassroots esports to global competitive motorsport.
What the programme entails
The championship will be conducted on F1 25, the official game of the FIA Formula 1 World Championship, replicating real-world circuits, formats, and team environments. Registrations opened on 30 April via the MFRL app, with the competition structured in three phases: online qualifiers, city-based simulator rounds, and a national final scheduled for November 2026 in Mumbai. The initiative represents Mumbai Falcons' most ambitious nationwide project to date.
Why Shreyas Iyer was chosen
Iyer, regarded as one of India's most consistent multi-format cricketers, has built significant resonance with younger audiences beyond cricket. Mumbai Falcons leadership identified him as the ideal ambassador to bridge traditional sports and esports, and to engage the emerging demographic of aspiring athletes. His disciplined approach to sporting excellence and authentic connection with Gen-Z audiences aligned with the programme's vision.
The broader vision
Ameet Gadhoke, Managing Director of Mumbai Falcons Racing Limited, framed the initiative as addressing structural gaps in India's sporting ecosystem. "We built Mumbai Falcons on the belief that India has world-class sporting talent; the potential, however, has been constrained by structural deficiencies," Gadhoke said. The F1 Sim Racing India Open 2026 is positioned as a first-of-its-kind platform in India's esports racing space, offering youth a credible pathway into global-format competitive racing.
Shreyas Iyer's perspective
"Sport has always been about finding your edge and staying disciplined enough to act on it. When I heard what Mumbai Falcons is building in terms of a real pathway that takes young Indians from where they are today to where they could go, I didn't need much convincing. This is the kind of initiative I would have wanted access to growing up, and I'm proud to be part of what's coming," Iyer said.
What comes next
Full details of the initiative are expected to be announced shortly. The competition is positioned as a test case for integrating esports and motorsport within India's broader sporting ecosystem, with potential to unlock untapped talent in a space that has historically lacked institutional structure.
Point of View
This risks becoming celebrity-backed window-dressing for an existing gaming audience rather than a genuine talent pipeline.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Shreyas Iyer's role in the F1 Sim Racing India Open 2026?
Shreyas Iyer is the official brand ambassador for the F1 Sim Racing India Open 2026, a Formula 1-sanctioned esports racing championship hosted by Mumbai Falcons Racing Limited. He will represent the programme's vision of engaging younger audiences and creating a structured pathway for emerging sim-racing talent.
When do registrations for the championship open?
Registrations opened on 30 April 2026 via the MFRL app. The competition is structured in three phases: online qualifiers, city-based simulator rounds, and a national final scheduled for November 2026 in Mumbai.
What game will be used for the championship?
The championship will be conducted on F1 25, the official game of the FIA Formula 1 World Championship. The game replicates real-world circuits, formats, and team environments to deliver an authentic racing experience.
Why was Shreyas Iyer chosen as brand ambassador?
Iyer was chosen for his consistent multi-format cricket performance, disciplined approach to sport, and authentic resonance with younger audiences. Mumbai Falcons identified him as ideal to bridge traditional sports and esports and engage the emerging demographic of aspiring athletes.
What makes this initiative significant for India's esports ecosystem?
The F1 Sim Racing India Open 2026 is India's first Formula 1-sanctioned esports racing platform and addresses structural gaps in the country's esports ecosystem. It offers a credible, globally-recognised pathway for Indian youth into competitive racing — a first-of-its-kind institutional structure in this space.
