Gran Turismo Sport garnered a lot of publicity when it hosted the FIA-certified World Series esports championship. Blurring the lines between virtual and real racing, players who won the Nations Cup and Manufacturer Series championships in the Gran Turismo World Series were honoured at the FIA Prize Giving Ceremony.
Gran Turismo Sport was also used in the inaugural 2019 FIA Motorsport Games esports event. After a two-year hiatus, the FIA Motorsport Games returns this year.
But with the FIA branding removed from Gran Turismo 7’s World Series esports series, fans have wondered if GT7 will be used in the 2022 FIA Motorsport Games. We now have the answer.
Assetto Corsa Competizione replaces Gran Turismo at FIA Motorsport Games
This year, Assetto Corsa Competizione will replace Gran Turismo as a platform for the 2022 FIA Motorsport Games esports competition. Entrants will compete in virtual GT3 cars in Assetto Corsa Competizione, with esports representing one of 17 disciplines in the 2022 FIA Motorsport Games.
GT3 cars will also be used in the GT, GT Sprint, and Endurance disciplines at the esports event.
This year, more than 80 racers from countries around the world are expected to compete in the event, with a knock-out format deciding the 20 finalists for the Esports FIA Motorsport Games competition.
FIA Motorsport Games Esports start date
The 2022 FIA Motorsport Games Esports competition begins on 27 October at the Paul Ricard’s Mistral Hall overlooking Circuit Paul Ricard in France, with the final taking place on 29 October. Kunos Simulazioni will make a custom build of the circuit for the event.
"We are very pleased to be the choice of the FIA for the Motorsport Games, as with Assetto Corsa Competizione we raised the bar even higher than with Assetto Corsa, bringing the thrill of real racing simulation to a very high number of countries, that we are looking forward to see competing in an event where each of the sim racers can make his or her nation proud," said Marco Massarutto, co-founder and Executive Manager of Kunos Simulazioni, said: “
“We love racing and sports, and with Assetto Corsa Competizione each player has the opportunity to prove that skills, focus, and dedication can make the same difference in Esports like when racing on a real track.”
Australian driver Cody Nikola Latkovski was the winner of the inaugural FIA Motorsport Games esports event known as the Digital Cup run in Gran Turismo Sport.