iRacing and FIA Bring Back F4 Esports Global Championship

The FIA and iRacing have announced the return of the FIA F4 Esports Global Championship for its third consecutive year, scheduled to begin on October 31, 2026. The competition features a $35,000 prize pool, maintaining the financial commitment established in the 2025 season, which saw an increase from the inaugural 2024 purse of $25,000. The series is presented by sim racing hardware manufacturer MOZA Racing, highlighting the event’s utility as a marketing channel for hardware brands targeting competitive sim racers.

The championship structure serves as a strategic funnel for motorsport recruitment, connecting regional qualification tours in Europe, the Americas, and the Asia-Pacific to a global stage. The top 10 eligible drivers from each region will advance to the final competition. By leveraging the FIA’s network of national sporting authorities, the program extends beyond iRacing’s existing subscriber base, positioning sim racing as a formal entry point for broader motorsport participation.

The 2026 format consists of eight races held across four doubleheader events in October and November. To emphasize driver adaptability over extensive preparation, the competition utilizes fixed vehicle setups and reveals track locations only 24 hours before each event. This consistent operational model reinforces the partnership’s objective to treat esports not merely as a media product, but as a structured, institutionalized component of the global motorsport ecosystem.