iRacing, the motorsport simulation software used for a lot of official Esports series, has got FIA licensing for its digital version of Tatuus’s second-generation Formula 4 car.
The car currently dubbed the Formula IR-04, which in the real world is known as the Tatuus T-421, will be called an FIA F4 car as of next month when iRacing’s 2023 Season 3 release takes place.
During the global lockdown periods of the COVID-19 pandemic, the British F4 championship’s iRacing Trophy was held twice using a digital version of the Dallara F317 Formula 3 car. The trophy got given championship status by Britain’s motorsport governing body in 2022, and switched to using the IR-04/T-421 that was introduced in the real world that year.
“This partnership with iRacing is an important step for grassroots motorsport development,” said the FIA’s single-seater director Nikolas Tombazis.
“The virtual racing space is a key area for the FIA in its goal to double global participation in motorsport, both as a discipline in its own right and as a route into real-world competition. The next generation of racing drivers is already highly engaged in this arena, which removes many of the historical barriers to entry by being low-cost and easily accessible, opening up possibilities to increase diversity and engagement in new and emerging markets.
“F3 championships, certified by FIA, represent the first step for drivers to move from karting to car racing, and to have a highly-respected industry-leading partner in iRacing bringing this global framework online is fantastic news.”
iRacing president Tony Gardner added: “With many FIA national ASNs already running events through iRacing, this alliance will only further expand opportunities for the future stars of motorsport to get their start through sim racing. In addition to iRacing’s new FIA F4 Challenge, iRacing and the FIA are discussing additional eSport plans for the future.”