Jemimah Rodrigues Joins F1 Sim Racing India Open as Brand Ambassador

Mumbai Falcons Racing Limited (MFRL) today announced the appointment of Indian women's cricket star Jemimah Rodrigues as the Brand Ambassador for the upcoming F1 Sim Racing India Open 2026.

She joins Shreyas Iyer as a Brand Ambassador for Mumbai Falcons, further strengthening the team's efforts to expand the reach of motorsport across India.

MFRL is confident of finding the next Indian racer to compete on the F1 platform, and this championship will unravel the racing talent across the country.

Encouraging aspiring racers from 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 the excitement firsthand at the Time Trials being held at Bharat Mandapam, Delhi, from 30th July to 1st August, where competitors will battle for a place in the next stage of the championship.

Formula 1 has witnessed remarkable growth over the past few years, particularly among younger audiences and women. Women now account for 42 per cent of Formula 1's global fanbase, up from 37 per cent in 2018, while nearly 48 per cent of new fans in 2025 are women.

India reflects a similar trend, with women making up around 40 per cent of the country's Formula 1 audience, as the overall fanbase has grown from approximately 31 million in 2020 to nearly 79 million today.

Post a successful engagement 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 money will serve as a driver development fund for the young talent to embark on the F1 journey.

Jemimah Rodrigues is a true representation of a sportsperson driven by passion and grit that aligns with the vision of Formula 1® and will heighten the engagement of the Indian audience.

Her journey reflects resilience, ambition and the belief that talent should never be limited by convention, making her a natural ambassador for a programme that aims to encourage more women and young Indians to explore motorsport.

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 across PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox through online qualifiers before progressing to city-based simulator rounds in ten cities, culminating in a national final in Mumbai.

The championship forms part of MFRL's broader F1 India Programme, which 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.