In a recent development shaking the world of motorsport eSports, former Indy NXT driver Sophia Floersch openly criticized the FIA’s decision to segregate a new global eSports competition by gender. This criticism came after the FIA announced the Girls On Track Rising Star (Esports Edition) on April 24, an initiative aimed at promoting female participation in motorsport eSports.
Through a social media statement on platform X, the German driver voiced her concerns about gender segregation, emphasizing that eSports is not a sport where physicality plays a crucial role. Therefore, she argued, there is no need for a gender-specific competition format. This new competition, according to FIA, will partner with Advance SimRacing and iRacing, allowing participants over the age of 16 to compete by setting the fastest lap times on racing simulators.
Sophia Floersch’s racing journey recently took an unexpected turn when HMD Motorsports parted ways with her shortly after her debut race in the 2025 Indy NXT season at St. Petersburg. While the team declined to specify reasons, sponsorship concerns were speculated. Floersch, not deterred, hinted at a fresh start through a cryptic post on LinkedIn, alluding to a shift in her professional path.
Despite the setback, the 24-year-old driver, known for her successful stint in junior Formula categories and the European Le Mans series, remains mum about her plans for the rest of the 2025 racing season. Her criticism of FIA brings attention to issues of gender equality in competitive environments, especially in sectors like eSports where physical attributes are irrelevant.
As the eSports world watches closely, Sophia Floersch’s outspoken criticism could spark broader discussions around inclusivity in the motorsport industry. Whether this will influence future FIA policies or inspire other voices to join the conversation remains to be seen.
