FIA Motorsport Games Kicks Off with Rome Opening Ceremony

The opening ceremony for the inaugural FIA Motorsport Games took place at the Circus Maximus heritage site in central Rome on Thursday evening.

All 50 countries and 192 drivers taking part in the nation-based multi-discipline competition were presented one-by-one in the grounds of the ancient Roman chariot stadium after a 33-car parade through the Italian capital.

The parade featured half of the 22-car grid taking part in the GT Cup competition including the entries from Italy, Russia, the UK, Germany, Turkey, China, Kuwait, Belgium, Hong Kong, France and the United States.

The trail started six miles to the south of Circus Maximus, in the EUR district where Rome’s  Formula E race is held, and headed north to its destination via the Colosseum.

The opening ceremony was chaired by nine-time 24 Hours of Le Mans winner and FIA Drivers’ Commission president Tom Kristensen who arrived in a Roman-style chariot.

The FIA Motorsport Games trophy was also unveiled and will be presented to the national sporting authority that wins the event overall across the six categories.

Track action is taking place at Vallelunga to the north of Rome and will include competitions for GT cars, Formula 4, TCR, drifting, kart slalom and esports.

“It’s great to bring different disciplines together and bring new people into motorsport, all at one venue,” said Kristensen.

“There will be a lot of interaction and crossovers between digital motorsport, karting slalom, drifting, touring cars and GTs.

“To have this all at one venue is important to us because as the FIA Drivers’ Commission, we represent drivers in all categories and versatility is a value that’s very important to us. I am sure the FIA Motorsport Games will be a great success.”

The first practice sessions for all disciplines will take place on Friday, with most qualifying runs and the first of two GT races taking place on Saturday.