FIA-certified virtual Gran Turismo Championships 2021 to begin Apr. 21

FIA-Gran-Turismo-Championships-2021

Real motorsports competition is brought to the virtual arena once again in the Gran Turismo Championships 2021.

The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), the governing body of world motorsports, and Polyphony Digital, the company behind Gran Turismo, announced that this virtual racing series will begin on Apr. 21 and run throughout the year.

The FIA-certified Gran Turismo Championships is where realistic motorsports goes virtual within "Gran Turismo Sport" video game. The championships t began in 2018, and are open to anyone over 18 from a participating country, with a copy of the game, and a PlayStation (PS) Plus subscription.

Players can enter two different series: the Nations Cup, an individual competition with players competing on behalf of their countries, and the Manufacturer Series where players compete on behalf of their chosen manufacturer.

Winners of both series are honored each year at the FIA Prize Giving Ceremony alongside the champions of real-world motorsports. Last year, a dominant season by Japanese racer Takuma Miyazono resulted in his crowning as Nations Cup Champion, as well as being part of the victorious Team Subaru in the Manufacturer Series alongside Mikail Hizal from Turkey and Daniel Solis from the USA.

The FIA said the Championships achieved significant growth with over two million race entries from more than 159,000 competitors. The races also brought 120 million viewers to FIA's online channels.

The exciting 2021 season will comprise of the following events:

WORLD SERIES 1 and 2 - This period will see the global top 16 Nations Cup and top 12 Manufacturer Series competitors (initially selected from the 2020 World Finals) taking part in two new World Series events that will be broadcast on June 6 and July 11, respectively.

WORLD SERIES SHOWDOWN - The end of Online Stage 1 gives a chance to its best 16 Nations Cup competitors to compete for a place in the World Series and World Finals.

At the same time, team duties will return for the Manufacturer Series with 12 teams of three racers contesting their ‘Showdown’ with World Finals points at stake. The Manufacturer Series World Series will be broadcast on Aug. 21, while the Nations Cup on Aug. 22.

ONLINE STAGE 2 - This will run from July 7 until Sept. 25, a further 10 rounds each for the Nations Cup and Manufacturer Series to give competitors a chance to win their place in Dec.’s World Finals.

WORLD SERIES 3 and 4 - Another contest of two more race events, set to be broadcast on Oct. 3 and Nov. 14

WORLD FINALS - Three days of World Finals will be broadcast from Dec. 3 to 5, with a support series Toyota Gazoo Racing GT Cup on Dec. 3.

On Dec. 5, Manufacturer Series final will again see 12 manufacturer teams of three drivers contesting a series of races.

On the same day, the Nations Cup World Final will be held. It will be composed of the 16 established World Series competitors, versus 16 other new racers who have won their place in Online Stage 2.

“Due to... COVID-19, we are missing the atmosphere of our World Series Events and the opportunity to meet our wonderful competitors directly, but we’re lucky that we can still test new ideas and continue to grow the FIA Certified Gran Turismo Championships even in this online environment,” "Gran Turismo" creator Kazunori Yamauchi said.

Meanwhile, FIA Deputy President for Sport Graham Stoker said: “Digital Motor Sport has come to the fore during the pandemic, and it was great to see so many competitors taking part in the Championships last year and to watch such an exciting World Finals."

FIA Digital Motor Sport Commission President Anna Nordkvist added the racing body strongly believes that "the future is bright for this new form of racing!”

Photo from Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA)

Also read:

FIA President Jean Todt on Formula E: Progress has been 'sensational'


Toyota PH crowns GR Supra GT Cup Asia Philippines champions

Read All

Featured Articles

Recommended Articles For You

Read All

Featured Cars

  • Upcoming

Car Articles From Zigwheels

  • News
  • Article Feature
  • Advisory Stories
  • Road Test
  • Camille Prats is Jetour Lightning i-DM with Boss interior's first-ever owner
    Camille Prats is Jetour Lightning i-DM with Boss interior's first-ever owner
    Paulo Papa . Sep 15, 2025
  • Mercedes-Benz PH to expand GLC PHEV lineup?
    Mercedes-Benz PH to expand GLC PHEV lineup?
    Ruben Manahan IV . Sep 15, 2025
  • Suzuki PH unveils XL7 lineup with ‘Black Edition’ trim
    Suzuki PH unveils XL7 lineup with ‘Black Edition’ trim
    Ruben Manahan IV . Sep 15, 2025
  • Astara establishes new 2 JMC PH dealerships
    Astara establishes new 2 JMC PH dealerships
    Ruben Manahan IV . Sep 15, 2025
  • Audi, Adidas forges multi-year partnership for F1
    Audi, Adidas forges multi-year partnership for F1
    Ruben Manahan IV . Sep 15, 2025
  • Check out the GWM Ora 03’s key rivals
    Check out the GWM Ora 03’s key rivals
    Cesar Miguel . Sep 12, 2025
  • Here are the Ford Territory Hybrid’s strengths, weaknesses
    Here are the Ford Territory Hybrid’s strengths, weaknesses
    Cesar Miguel . Sep 12, 2025
  • VinFast VF 5: top 3 reasons to buy
    VinFast VF 5: top 3 reasons to buy
    Paulo Papa . Sep 09, 2025
  • Check out the Subaru WRX’s closest alternatives
    Check out the Subaru WRX’s closest alternatives
    Cesar Miguel . Sep 08, 2025
  • Lynk & Co. 01 vs BYD Sealion 5 DM-i vs Changan Nevo Q05: Chinese hybrid SUV smackdown
    Lynk & Co. 01 vs BYD Sealion 5 DM-i vs Changan Nevo Q05: Chinese hybrid SUV smackdown
    Paulo Papa . Sep 05, 2025
  • How well do you understand traffic signs?
    How well do you understand traffic signs?
    Cesar Miguel . Sep 09, 2025
  • How car collectors can take advantage of Liqui Moly products
    How car collectors can take advantage of Liqui Moly products
    Ruben Manahan IV . Sep 08, 2025
  • Do you still need to wash your car after it rains?
    Do you still need to wash your car after it rains?
    Cesar Miguel . Jun 12, 2025
  • What should you visit first at MIAS 2025?
    What should you visit first at MIAS 2025?
    Cesar Miguel . Apr 11, 2025
  • Do you really need 4x4 for overlanding?
    Do you really need 4x4 for overlanding?
    Cesar Miguel . Mar 26, 2025
  • Ford Everest Sport Special Edition: ‘tough’-tier SUV
    Ford Everest Sport Special Edition: ‘tough’-tier SUV
    Paulo Papa . Sep 15, 2025
  • Toyota Corolla Cross GR-S HEV: sporty yet sustainable
    Toyota Corolla Cross GR-S HEV: sporty yet sustainable
    Paulo Papa . Sep 08, 2025
  • ELECTRIA: JMC EV3 - cutesy city slicker
    ELECTRIA: JMC EV3 - cutesy city slicker
    Cesar Miguel . Sep 04, 2025
  • First drive: Here’s why the Li Mega is the ideal pick for those who wants to be chauffeured
    First drive: Here’s why the Li Mega is the ideal pick for those who wants to be chauffeured
    Paulo Papa . Aug 27, 2025
  • GWM Cannon: range day
    GWM Cannon: range day
    Paulo Papa . Jul 29, 2025