It’s official: Assetto Corsa Rally is now an FIA-supported esport

Words feel a rather blunt instrument to express how good Assetto Corsa Rally is, though we’ve tried to wield them many times to make that point. Meaty and meticulous, it feels convincing to drive in a way that actually instils primal fear. It’s the perfect platform, then, for professional esports competition.

The FIA agrees. And so it comes to pass that the game’s publisher 505 Games announces that the motorsports organisation has chosen Assetto Corsa Rally as the official title for its new FIA Esports Global Rally Tour competition – think F1 esports, only with (hopefully) fewer server dropouts and even more discarded bumpers.

The new competition “will include both online qualifiers and regional shootouts", says the announcement, “and marks a major milestone in the global evolution of rally esports aligning with FIA’s commitment to inspire future generations while doubling global participation in motorsport".

In other words, they’re hoping it’s a rung on the ladder to real racing, as well as a spectator sport and cultural moment in its own right.

That’s certainly not unrealistic. We’ve seen plenty of virtual racers cross over into real motorsport and thrive, not least one Jann Mardenborough, the subject of Sony’s 2023 Gran Turismo biopic.

What happens next? Well, a series of regional comps designed to find the best rally drivers out there.

“Beginning on May 12,” says the announcement, “a global online qualifier hosted on Assetto Corsa Rally will select 56 top drivers worldwide: 16 from Europe (combined North and South) and 8 from each of the other five participating regions MENA, North America, South America, Asia‑Pacific, and Africa.”

From there, a long and quite complicated succession of knockout events runs right through the year, finally culminating in a grand final at the FIA Awards on 12 December, in which the very best two of those initial 56 battle it out onstage. The prize, you ask? “International recognition, prestige, and a place on the global esports stage.” The conspicuous lack of any money mentioned may give the established esports drivers pause for thought.

Given that we’ve yet to travel more than 10km in Assetto Corsa Rally with an intact windscreen, it’s unlikely you’ll see us on that stage. Though, never say never.