Mumbai Falcons Racing Limited (MFRL) have signed cricketer Jemimah Rodrigues as the Brand Ambassador for the upcoming F1 Sim Racing India Open 2026. Rodrigues joins Shreyas Iyer as a brand ambassador, strengthening the team’s efforts to expand motorsport’s reach across India.
The Mumbai Falcons are confident in finding the next Indian racer to compete in F1, and this tournament aims to unravel the racing talent across the country.
Jemimah Rodrigues urged young gaming and motorsport enthusiasts to participate in the nationwide F1 Sim Racing India Open and take their shot at representing India on the global stage. She also invited participants and fans to experience it firsthand at the Time Trials, held at Bharat Mandapam in Delhi from 30th July to 1st August.
F1 has witnessed impressive growth over the past few years, specifically among children and women. Women make up 42 per cent of Formula 1’s global fanbase. Even in India, the trend can be seen where women make up around 40 per cent of the country’s audience for the sport.
Following a successful campaign at Core Mumbai, the championship moves to Delhi, with a new proposition of direct entry to the zonal through centralised trials. The 2-crore prize fund will serve as a development fund for the young talent.
What exactly is F1 Sim Racing?
It is India’s first official Formula 1-sanctioned national sim racing championship.
Format and Structure:
Game Platform: Played using the official F1 25 game across PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox.
Age Categories: Divided into Juniors (ages 8 to 14) and Seniors (ages 15 and above).
Progression Pathway: Begins with online time trials and qualifiers via the MFRL app, moving to physical city-based simulator rounds across multiple locations, and ending with the National Finals in Mumbai in November 2026.
Rodrigues’ grit and passion align with the vision of F1 and will increase the engagement of the Indian audience.
Speaking about joining the initiative, Jemimah Rodrigues said: “I’ve always believed that sport has the power to challenge perceptions and open doors for the next generation. Cricket has given me opportunities I could only dream of as a child, and I hope this programme inspires more young girls to believe that no sport is out of reach.
“Formula 1 and motorsport are attracting a whole new generation of fans, and it’s exciting to be part of an initiative that gives young people a chance to compete, learn and dream bigger. Cricket and racing both demand quick decision-making, consistency and composure under pressure, and I’m looking forward to meeting aspiring racers from across the country as they begin their journey.”
Speaking about the brand ambassadors’ announcement, Ameet Gadhoke, Managing Director, Mumbai Falcons Racing Limited said, “Formula 1 is evolving rapidly, and so is its audience. More youth and female audiences are following the sport than ever before, making this the right time to create opportunities that are open to everyone with the passion and talent to succeed.
“Jemimah represents the confidence, ambition and sporting excellence that resonates with this new generation, and her association strengthens our vision of building a more inclusive motorsport community. If more young girls begin to see motorsport as a sport they can actively participate in, we will have achieved something meaningful.”
The F1® Sim Racing India Open 2026 will be contested on F1® 25, the official game of the FIA Formula One World Championship™, featuring the same circuits, competitive formats and team liveries as the global series.
Participants will compete through PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox via online qualifiers before they progress to city-based simulator rounds in ten cities, culminating in a national final in Mumbai.
The programme also includes grassroots initiatives such as the recently launched Flagship Partner School programme designed to introduce students to motorsport through structured simulator training and talent identification.
