Formula 1® Sim Racing India receives a massive turn out at Delhi time trials

Mumbai Falcons Racing Limited (MFRL) concluded the Delhi leg of the F1® Sim Racing India Open 2026 Time Trials at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan.

Shivansh De Bejoy, a 16-year-old boy clocked 1:20.755 on the Monza circuit. The real surprise was 11-year-old Aarav Gupta finished tenth overall with a time of 1:21.674, less than a second off the fastest lap in the entire field. Six Junior category drivers in total finished inside the overall top 20.

Participants who beat the official cut-off time have earned direct progression to the Zonal Qualifiers, the next stage on the F1® Sim Racing India Open pathway toward the National Final in Mumbai and a place in Mumbai Falcons Racing’s One in a Billion Hunt-Agla Star driver development programme.

With Zonal Qualifiers set to begin in the coming weeks, Delhi has added considerably to a national leaderboard that is already showing early promise. As conversations around Formula 1’s future in India continue at the highest levels, MFRL’s focus remains on the fundamentals, finding these young drivers early, testing them against a genuine benchmark, and giving them a structured route into the sport.

The three-day event was graced by Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, Union minister of youth affairs and sports, and Raksha Khadse, Union minister of state for youth affairs and sports, expressed their support for initiatives that identify and nurture Indian racing talent with the potential to compete on the global stage.

The overwhelming participation at the event, was a testament of the growing Formula 1® acceptance in the market with over 3000 participants engaged testing their racing skills on professional F1® Simulators, 940 entries were recorded on the official qualification leaderboard.

Indian cricketer Jemimah roped in as brand ambassador of F1® Sim Racing India Open

Speaking on the occasion, Raksha Khadse 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.”

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.”