The iconic Formula 1 (F1) motor racing series has renewed its commercial tie-up with racing simulator hardware firm Fanatec.
Under the deal, Fanatec will continue as an official sponsor and hardware partner of the F1 Sim Racing World Championship (F1's esports series), with this year's edition launching in Birmingham, England, on March 27.
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Fanatec will, therefore, continue to provide the professional-level race simulators used by every F1 Sim Racing team during the 2026 campaign.
F1 has said that the extension "will introduce a new generation of officially licensed F1 products to fans and racers worldwide."
The range of Fanatec simulators will also be present at all Grands Prix in F1, throughout the length of the deal, including at Fan Zones for each race, meaning fans will be able to get behind the wheel and experience F1 Sim Racing.
Emily Prazer, F1's chief commercial officer, stated: "With Fanatec supporting the F1 Sim Racing World Championship and powering fan experiences at all our Grands Prix, we’re strengthening the connection between virtual and real-world racing and opening up even more opportunities for fans to engage with our sport.”
Thi La, chief executive at Corsair, added: "The Fanatec and F1 partnership means we can keep raising standards for competitive play and fan engagement, bringing officially licensed F1 products to more players and more events around the world.”
The initial tie-up between F1 and Fanatec came into effect in July 2018.
The 2026 F1 Sim Racing championship was only formally unveiled earlier this month. Nine F1 teams will take part, covering 12 races in total.
All 12 rounds – which will take place across four slots between late March and May – will be aired live via F1's official YouTube, Facebook, and Twitch channels.
Following the March event in Birmingham, the three other slots will all take place at the F1 Media and Technology Centre.
Earlier this month, F1 unveiled Betway as the series's first official betting operator.
