F1 simulation racing championship launched by Mumbai Falcons Formula 1 has officially approved a new national-level sim racing competition for 2026 in India. The tournament, titled the F1 Sim Racing India Open, will be organised by Mumbai Falcons, marking the first time the country hosts an F1-sanctioned virtual racing championship. -Registrations for the competition will begin on April 30 - Finals will be conducted in Mumbai in December 2026 - Platforms used - PC, PlayStation 5, or Xbox Registrations for the competition will begin on April 30 through the MFRL mobile application, available on both Android and iOS platforms. Competitors will race using the upcoming F1 25 video game and can participate via PC, PlayStation 5, or Xbox consoles. The tournament will kick off with online qualifying rounds, followed by city-based competitions across the country. The best performers will advance to the grand finale, scheduled to take place in Mumbai in November 2026. The initiative aims to bridge the gap between e-sports and real-world motorsport by creating a clear development ladder for talented gamers. By mirroring the structure of F1's global sim racing ecosystem, the Indian edition is expected to give participants exposure to professional opportunities in both competitive gaming and traditional racing. On this occasion, India's first F1 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." Organisers have also indicated that the championship will closely replicate the official F1 Sim Racing format, including authentic circuits, team liveries, and