India has earned a place on one of motorsport’s newest global stages. The country has qualified for the Cup of Nations, an international sim racing championship that brings 18 teams from around the world to Mumbai from November 7 to 9, 2026. Two Indian racers, Karl Verghese and Siddharth Sathgare, will carry the home flag into a field packed with drivers from some of Formula 1’s biggest names.
The championship is being organised by Mumbai Falcons Racing Limited (MFRL) in partnership with Formula 1, and it will be held at the NSCI Dome in Mumbai. For Indian motorsport, it is a first of its kind moment: a global sim racing event, on home soil, with Indian drivers racing against the best in the world.
How India earned its spot
India’s place in the Cup of Nations was decided at the F1 Sim Racing India 2026, the national championship that ran through the year. Verghese dominated that competition from start to finish, winning all six races and finishing with 150 points. He was never beaten in a single race.
Sathgare, also from Mumbai, finished second in the national standings with 96 points, while Chennai’s Amith Kutti took third place with 91 points. The top two earned the right to represent India at the Cup of Nations, and the national championship now moves into its international phase.
The result matters because sim racing in India has mostly lived online until now, in living rooms and gaming cafes, far from the spotlight that traditional motorsport enjoys. A global championship in Mumbai changes that overnight.
Who will race for India
Karl Verghese arrives as the national champion, and his numbers tell the story of his season. Six races, six wins, 150 points. He did not just win the title, he owned it.
Siddharth Sathgare, his teammate for the Cup of Nations, was the only driver to stay within touching distance, finishing on 96 points. Together, the two Mumbaikars will face drivers attached to F1 sim racing outfits including Ferrari, Aston Martin, Red Bull and Alpine.
- Karl Verghese: National champion, Open category, 150 points, unbeaten in six races
- Siddharth Sathgare: Runner-up, 96 points, second Mumbaikar in the Indian team
- Amith Kutti: Third in the national standings with 91 points
What the Cup of Nations looks like
The championship follows a double-elimination format, which means a team gets a second chance even after losing once. That keeps the racing tight and gives underdogs a real shot at going deep into the tournament.
Eighteen international teams will compete for the global title across the three days. The event is part of MFRL’s larger plan to build a sustainable talent pipeline for Indian motorsport, using sim racing as a genuine pathway into the sport rather than just a game.
That pipeline idea is not just talk. Sim racing rigs today replicate real cars with remarkable accuracy, and several professional drivers now use simulators as a serious training tool. For young Indians who cannot afford a karting career, a simulator is the cheapest way onto a racing ladder.
Where to watch it
Fans can attend the Cup of Nations live at the NSCI Dome in Mumbai, with tickets available through District by Zomato. For those who cannot make it to the venue, the championship is being streamed live on the official YouTube channel of Mumbai Falcons.
The timing is good for Indian fans. With the event on home turf and the races streamed free, this is the easiest chance yet for a new audience to discover a sport that has quietly grown into a serious competition.
Verghese and Sathgare will know the pressure is real. They are not just racing for themselves. They are racing to show that India belongs in a global sim racing field, and that the country’s first step onto this stage will not be its last.
FAQs
What is the Cup of Nations sim racing championship?
It is an international sim racing championship featuring 18 teams, organised by Mumbai Falcons Racing Limited in partnership with Formula 1, and held in Mumbai from November 7 to 9, 2026.
Who is representing India at the Cup of Nations?
Karl Verghese, the national champion in the Open category, and Siddharth Sathgare, the runner-up, will represent India. Verghese won all six national races to finish with 150 points.
Where is the Cup of Nations being held?
The championship is being held at the NSCI Dome in Mumbai from November 7 to 9, 2026. Tickets are available through District by Zomato, and the races are streamed live on Mumbai Falcons’ official YouTube channel.
Which international teams are competing?
Eighteen international teams are taking part, including drivers from F1 sim racing outfits such as Ferrari, Aston Martin, Red Bull and Alpine. The competition follows a double-elimination format.
How did India qualify for the Cup of Nations?
India qualified through the F1 Sim Racing India 2026 national championship. Karl Verghese won the Open category with a perfect 150 points, and Siddharth Sathgare finished second with 96 points.
India’s sim racers have their stage now. From November 7 to 9, all eyes will be on the NSCI Dome to see how far Verghese and Sathgare can take the home team.
