The FIA launched a brand-new esports competition for female sim racers on Thursday. In an effort to promote female racing talent, the organization is seeking the best drivers on the virtual asphalt. Girls and women aged sixteen and over are invited to participate in the first global qualifying round, regardless of their background in motorsport or place of residence.
This new competition, set up in collaboration with sim racing giant iRacing and simulator supplier Advanced Simracing, begins with an online qualification. The top ten drivers will then be invited to participate in a final race during a general FIA conference in Macau. In addition to racing, the finalists will have the unique opportunity to delve into the broader motorsport industry. Media training and exclusive networking opportunities are on the agenda, with the FIA hoping to bridge the gap between sim racing and a potential professional career in motorsport.
Importance of a Female Esports Competition
“The FIA is committed to doubling women’s participation in motorsport,” responded Burcu Çetinkaya, Chair of the FIA Women in Motorsport Commission, in an official press release. “Esports provide us with the opportunity to reach a wider and younger audience. We are particularly looking for racing talent that might not normally have access to traditional motorsport career paths.”
Esports now form a significant part of the FIA. In 2023, Appendix E was added to the International Sporting Code, enabling national sporting authorities to regulate an esports competition. Moreover, the FIA supported numerous regional events over the past year and offered free iRacing subscriptions to new members of affiliated clubs. “Esports are the future of motorsport,” added Niroshan Pereira, Chair of the FIA Esports Commission. “But to make that future sustainable, we need to ensure a diverse influx of talent. This competition should act as a catalyst for girls and women to take their first steps in the sim racing world.”
