Mumbai hosted the first edition of the Cup of Nations, an international sim racing championship that brought together 20 teams from around the world at the NSCI Dome. Organised by Mumbai Falcons Racing Limited (MFRL) in partnership with Formula 1, the three-day competition saw 40 drivers, including several world champions, compete for the title.
The event created an energetic atmosphere, with a sizeable audience cheering on the competitors. Large screens, multiple commentary booths, and dedicated team setups added to the competition’s scale. Drivers competed on professional sim racing rigs, showing impressive skill despite many being relatively young.
The competition followed a double-elimination format, beginning on November 7. The 20 teams split into two groups before advancing through the knockout rounds. As the championship moved towards its final stages, the qualifying sessions became increasingly intense, with several teams closely contesting their positions. While much of the competition remained close, Team Spain White took a clear lead thanks to Ismael Fahssi’s dominant performance.
Fahssi won all four races in the Grand Final, helping Team Spain White secure the championship with 103 points. He won on four Formula 1 circuits: Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico, Interlagos in Brazil, Lusail International Circuit in Qatar, and Yas Marina Circuit in the UAE. His teammate Alejandro Loureiro also contributed to the team’s overall victory.
Team Netherlands Red, represented by Thomas Ronhaar and Matthijs van Erven, finished second with 60 points. Meanwhile, Team Hungary Red, featuring Dani Bereznay and Gabor Csontos, secured third place with 49 points.
The Cup of Nations also marked an important step in MFRL’s efforts to expand India’s motorsport ecosystem. Through its F1 Sim Racing India Open, Mumbai Falcons aim to identify local talent and give them opportunities to compete internationally. The pathway also helped Indian representatives earn a place in the international championship, putting them alongside established sim racing talent from across the world.
MFRL’s vision includes developing motorsport at the grassroots level through its One in a Billion initiative, supported by a ₹3 crore Driver Development Fund. By creating opportunities for aspiring racers to compete through sim racing, the organisation aims to make motorsport more accessible and establish structured pathways for future talent.
With the inaugural edition bringing together international competitors in Mumbai, MFRL also plans to run the Cup of Nations again next year, potentially making it a regular fixture on the international sim racing calendar.