For years sim racers have wondered, ‘When will sim racing be taken seriously?’ With so many talented drivers coming from sim racing to real racing, it felt like just a matter of time. Well, it’s officially happening.
The FIA just dropped some major news, adding Esports directly into its International Sporting Code and paving the way for FIA recognized sim racing licenses. And that’s not all. The famous Rallye Jeunes program, which has discovered WRC legends like Sébastien Loeb and Sébastien Ogier, has now added sim racing into its talent pipeline.
FIA’s New Appendix E Explained
This week the World Motor Sport Council officially approved Appendix E of the International Sporting Code, marking the first time sim racing has had its own dedicated ruleset in the FIA’s prestigious International Sporting Code. Instead of event organizers creating their own rules every time, Appendix E offers a single standard. Included are guidelines for consistent stewarding, universal event guidelines, and clearly defined competition standards.
Alongside that, the FIA also approved a proposal for a new International Esports License under Appendix L. While this license isn’t live just yet, national motorsport authorities can now start preparing their own licensing structures. The FIA has confirmed that these licenses will gradually roll out at future FIA-sanctioned Esports events, further bridging the gap between virtual and real-world motorsport.
Rallye Jeunes Goes Virtual
Meanwhile, Rallye Jeunes, one of the FFSA’s most famous talent-spotting initiatives, responsible for launching the careers of world champions Loeb and Ogier, is also embracing sim racing. Last year, at Paris Games Week, Rallye Jeunes offered sim racers the chance to compete for a spot in their national finals alongside drivers who qualified in real cars. It’s the same philosophy that’s always driven the competition: talent should count, not budget.
The program even plans special women-only selections, showing how sim racing can not only reduce barriers but increase diversity in motorsport.
Part of a Bigger FIA Esports Strategy
These moves are part of a broader FIA effort to firmly establish Esports as a legitimate discipline, joining initiatives like:
FIA Motorsport Games Digital Cup, which saw drivers competing in Assetto Corsa Competizione and iRacing’s F4 on the world stage.
FIA Rally Star, a talent discovery competition where I personally competed in the Rally at Home sim events. A program that led to sim racers competing against racing driver and some national champions in real life Cross Cars, with the winner getting a shot in the Junior World Rally Championship.
Ongoing collaborations with Gran Turismo, iRacing, and even the Olympics, to help bring sim racing into mainstream spotlight.
All these steps underline the FIA’s belief in sim racing as a genuine entry point into professional motorsport for those who can’t afford the traditional pathways. The addition of Appendix E, and Appendix L, gives a clearer pathway and recognition that sim racers have long deserved.
Why Does This Matter to You?
If you’ve been racing at home, waiting for your skills to be officially recognized, your moment may be coming. Soon, you might hold an FIA recognized Esports license, just like someone in karting or a circuit racer.
Keep an eye on your national motorsport authority for upcoming announcements, and get your gear ready. The FIA just sent a clear message, sim racing isn’t a sideshow anymore.