Mumbai Falcons Racing wraps up Delhi leg of F1 Sim Racing India Open 2026 with record articipation

India’s virtual motorsport ecosystem reached another significant milestone as Mumbai Falcons Racing Limited (MFRL) successfully concluded the Delhi leg of the F1® Sim Racing India Open 2026 Time Trials at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan. The three-day event witnessed exceptional participation, underlining the rapidly expanding appeal of Formula 1® and sim racing across the country while bringing several promising young talents into the spotlight.

The scale of participation reflected the growing acceptance of Formula 1® in India. More than 3,000 participants tested their skills on professional F1® simulators during the event, while 940 official entries were recorded on the qualification leaderboard, demonstrating the increasing enthusiasm surrounding competitive sim racing.

Among the standout performers was 16-year-old Shivansh De Bejoy, who set the benchmark with an impressive lap time of 1:20.755 around the Monza circuit. Equally remarkable was the performance of 11-year-old Aarav Gupta, who secured tenth place overall after recording a time of 1:21.674—less than a second adrift of the fastest lap across the entire field. In another encouraging sign for the future of Indian motorsport, six Junior category drivers finished within the overall top 20.

Speaking on the occasion, Raksha Khadse, Hon. Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, said, “Motorsport is evolving, and so is the way champions are built. More than just gaming, sim racing is a highly realistic virtual motorsport used by professional racing teams and drivers for training, while also serving as a global esports platform. This is a perfect example of how sport and technology are coming together to shape the future.”

The event was graced by Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Hon. Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, and Smt. Raksha Khadse, Hon. Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, who expressed their support for initiatives focused on identifying and nurturing Indian racing talent capable of competing on the global stage.

The event also reinforced Mumbai Falcons Racing Limited’s long-term ambition of building a structured pathway for aspiring Indian racing drivers.

Ameet Gadhoke, Managing Director, Mumbai Falcons Racing Limited, said, “The overwhelming response from Delhi, coupled with the visit from the Union Minister and the Minister of State, reinforces our confidence that India is ready for championing motorsports and make a mark in the Formula 1. Our vision is to build a sustainable talent pipeline and place Indian drivers on the grid. With the support from fans as well as the policy makers, we are determined to identify and nurture multiple promising talents who can progress to the global grid, represent India and make the nation proud.”

Participants who surpassed the official qualifying cut-off have now earned direct progression to the Zonal Qualifiers, the next stage of the F1® Sim Racing India Open. Success in the upcoming rounds will bring competitors one step closer to the National Final in Mumbai, while also securing an opportunity to enter Mumbai Falcons Racing’s One in a Billion Hunt–Agla Star driver development programme.

With the Zonal Qualifiers set to commence in the coming weeks, the Delhi leg has made a significant contribution to a national leaderboard already showcasing considerable emerging talent. As discussions surrounding Formula 1’s future in India continue at the highest levels, Mumbai Falcons Racing Limited remains firmly focused on the fundamentals—identifying promising young drivers at an early stage, assessing them against genuine competitive benchmarks, and providing a structured pathway into the world of professional motorsport.