The world of sim racing takes a significant step towards reality as Luiz Felipe Tavares, the winner of the 2024 FIA Motorsport Games F4 Esports category, is set to conduct an exclusive Formula 4 test. In March, Tavares will get behind the wheel of a real F4 car at Cremona Circuit in Italy, in a test provided by Maffi Racing.
The FIA Motorsport Games, a global celebration of racing talent across multiple disciplines, saw an intense esports competition last year, hosted in Valencia’s City of Arts and Sciences. With 24 identical high-performance simulators on stage, over 100 top esports drivers from around the world competed on identical hardware for the coveted FIA Motorsport Games Gold Medal, with Tavares emerging victorious. While fellow Brazilian Igor De Oliveira Rodrigues claimed gold in the esports GT category.
As a reward for his achievement, Tavares will be given a unique opportunity to experience real-world racing. Maffi Racing, a well-established team competing in the F4 Central European Zone and Italian Championships, will offer Tavares a test session, allowing the young esports champion to demonstrate his skills in a real-world setting.
FIA Junior Categories Director, François Sicard, said, “We’re delighted to partner with Maffi Racing to provide Luiz Felipe Tavares with this exciting opportunity. He has showcased remarkable talent in esports, and this test will allow him to apply those skills in a real-world environment. The addition of the F4 Esports category in the 2024 FIA Motorsport Games has been a resounding success, lowering barriers to entry and creating a level playing field for aspiring racers. Luiz’s test highlights the growing connection between digital and real-world motor sport. The FIA is committed to embracing and encouraging this connection as a way to make motor sport more accessible than ever.”
Reflecting on his achievement, FIA Motorsport Games Esports F4 Champion, Luiz Felipe Tavares, commented, “Winning the FIA Motorsport Games Esports F4 category was an incredible moment for me, and now having the opportunity to drive a real Formula 4 car is truly a dream come true. I am extremely grateful for this chance and would like to thank the FIA and Maffi Racing for the opportunity. I am looking forward to the test in Cremona and I’m eager to put my virtual racing experience to the test on a real circuit.”
iRacing’s Director of Racing Operations, Greg West, added, “We were thrilled to be part of the 2024 FIA Motorsport Games, and Luiz’s test showcases the transformative power of esports. The increasing crossover between virtual and real-world motor sport continues to open doors for talented drivers, and we wish Luiz the best of luck in his test.”
Maffi Racing Founder and Managing Director, Alex Thouvenin, commented, “We are excited to welcome Luiz Felipe Tavares to our team for this special test. Esports has become an incredible training ground for the next generation of racing talent, and we are eager to see how Luiz transitions from the virtual world to the real track. At Maffi Racing, we are always looking for new ways to develop young drivers, and this initiative is a fantastic step in making motor sport more accessible to aspiring racers worldwide.”
The FIA Motorsport Games continues to push the boundaries of innovation, integrating Esports as a key discipline and reinforcing the strong connection between virtual and real-world racing. The Motorsport Games not only create new opportunities for aspiring drivers but also support technological advancements, helping to make sim racing a legitimate pathway to professional motor sport.
Find out more about esports at the FIA Motorsport Games here.
FIA Motorsport Games
F4SEASON 2025SportCircuit1SportFIA Motorsport GamesCircuitSEASON 2025F400Monday, March 10, 2025 – 4:00pmMonday, March 10, 2025 – 4:58pm
Source : Fia
