The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) has announced that the 2025 FIA Karting World Championship (September 11-14) will be supported by an e-sports event organized by the Swedish national sporting authority (ASN). The initiative aims to showcase the diverse grassroots pathways available for participation in motorsport.
Since the World Motor Sport Council recognized e-sports as an official discipline of motorsport by adding it to the FIA International Sporting Code in 2023, the FIA has organized major international events, including the FIA Motorsport Games Esports Cup.
E-sports “offers a unique opportunity to engage with new communities across the world”, the FIA says, adding that the combined e-sports and karting event at the FIA Karting World Championship supports its mission to create accessible pathways from virtual racing to real-world motorsport.
Vincent Caro, FIA head of circuit grassroots disciplinesand activities, said, “Bringing together karting and e-sports at the 2025 FIA Karting World Championship underscores the FIA’s commitment to grassroots investment and expanding the ways people can engage with motorsport.
“All the equipment that the SBF will set up for the competition between senior karting drivers will remain in place throughout the weekend of the event, so that all visitors and spectators tempted by an e-sports experience can try out the simulators for free.
“This activation also makes the experience of visiting an FIA event even more attractive to the public. Accessibility is central to the FIA’s Global Karting Plan and this initiative is a major step toward growing participation and opening new entry points into the sport.”
Jessica Bjurström, chair of Svenska Bilsportförbundet, said, “We’re really excited to be able to host an e-sports competition when the FIA Karting World Championship comes to Kristianstad in September. E-sports is a growing discipline and this a great opportunity for more people to get involved with the thrills of motorsport, whether on-track or on-screen.”
The event will be held at the Åsum Ring, Kristianstad, and will use 12 racing sims to stage a dynamic racing competition during the championship weekend. The competition has been registered on the International Sporting Calendar and will be officiated by a group of international stewards appointed by the ASN.
Entries are open for any individual aged 14+ that holds an international Llcense. The virtual competition will use the iRacing title and, in line with the ambitions of most young karting drivers, the FIA F4 category has been chosen for the competition.
In related news, the FIA World Rally Championship is taking place in Paraguay for the first time, with a strong 48-car entry list confirmed for its landmark debut this month. Read the full story here
