FIA launches Women in Motorsport Esports Cup sim racing competition

The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile is continuing its investment and support for sim racing esports by starting an initiative to find the quickest women drivers.

Consequently, the Women in Motorsport Esports Cup is open to entries from today, 24th April 2025, to compete on the iRacing platform.

The 10 best-performing women after an online time attack competition in the FIA F4 car around Okayama International Circuit will then be invited to an in-person final held during the 2025 FIA General Assemblies and Conference in Macau.

“Finalists will also gain insight into the broader motor sport industry through media training workshops and exclusive networking opportunities,” said the FIA.

Open to all geographic locations, and with no motorsport background necessary, there will be one driver selected to represent six regions: North & Central America, South America, Europe, Middle East and North Africa, Africa and Asia Pacific.

The final four spots are made up of other quick qualifiers, although only one driver per nation is allowed.

The FIA is supporting virtual competition as an entry point into motorsport, with an aim to increase global participation.

“Esports allow us to reach broader, younger audiences—especially those with untapped talent or those with limited access to traditional motor sport pathways,” said FIA Women in Motorsport Commission Chair, Burcu Çetinkaya.

“I look forward to meeting our finalists – and recognising our winner – at the event in Macau.”

Registrations are now open for those aged 16 and over, with the last chance to set a lap time on 6th May at 00:00 GMT.

“We know that Esports is the future – but for the discipline to truly grow and develop, we need to encourage more girls and women to get involved,” said FIA Esports Commission President, Niroshan Pereira.

“We hope that this competition will act as a catalyst, encouraging aspiring racers to try out our discipline and consider pursuing a career in motorsport.”

It follows several other sim racing initiatives, such as FIA-approved cockpits by Next Level Racing, assigning Advanced SimRacing as its official supplier for professional sim installations and adding a dedicated Esports Appendix (Appendix E) to the International Sporting Code.