PUNE: Mumbai Falcons Racing Limited (MFRL) today announced The Bishop’s School, Pune, as the first Flagship Partner School under the Official F1® Sim Racing India Open Programme, a school-focused initiative aimed at introducing students to the world of sim racing and identifying emerging motorsport talent at an early stage.

Under the initiative, partner schools will receive simulator infrastructure, training support, and structured learning modules designed to introduce students to competitive sim racing and help identify emerging racing talent. Established in 1864, The Bishop’s School was chosen as MFRL’s first Flagship Partner School for its strong tradition of academic and sporting excellence, including recognition through the Commonwealth Youth Games Pune Award in 2008.

Pune makes an ideal starting point for the Flagship Partner School programme, given its strong connection with motorsport and automotive innovation in India. The city has produced generations of racing enthusiasts and competitors, supported by established motorsport infrastructure, a strong engineering culture, and an active grassroots community, which is an ideal environment to introduce structured sim racing programmes and identify students with the potential to pursue motorsport at a higher level.

Speaking at the event, Ameet Gadhoke, Managing Director, Mumbai Falcons Racing Limited, said, “One of the objectives behind bringing the F1® Sim Racing Programme to India is to make motorsport more accessible to young people across the country. Schools are an important part of that effort because they allow us to engage students and parents at an early stage and introduce them to a discipline that combines skill, focus, technology, and competition. We are delighted to welcome The Bishop’s School as the first Flagship Partner School and look forward to creating curiosity and opportunities for students who are interested in motorsports.”

Shayne McPherson, Principal and Honorary Secretary, The Bishop’s School, said, ”At The Bishop’s School, we have always believed in providing students with opportunities that extend beyond the traditional classroom and encourage them to explore emerging fields of interest. This partnership introduces our students to a globally recognised sport through a structured and educational format. Mumbai Falcons Racing Limited brings significant experience in developing young talent and competing at the highest levels of international motorsport, making them an ideal partner as we look to expose our students to new avenues for learning, competition, and personal growth.”

As the first school to join the programme, The Bishop’s School will work with MFRL to establish a sim racing environment within the school premises and provide students access to training and participation opportunities linked to the wider F1® India Programme. By partnering with schools, MFRL aims to introduce students to the sport in a safe, accessible, and educational setting while building awareness of emerging opportunities within motorsport.

The F1® Sim Racing India Open 2026 will span 10 cities across India, with participants competing on professional-grade simulators across Formula One circuits. Online qualifiers are currently open, and city-based simulator rounds will follow, culminating in a national final at the NSCI Dome, Mumbai, in November 2026.

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The new building has been developed to strengthen the school’s academic infrastructure and provide additional learning spaces for students at the Camp campus. The project was undertaken after receiving the required renovation and redevelopment approvals from the Pune Cantonment Board.

The new building was developed with the support of distinguished alumni Dr. Cyrus S. Poonawalla and Mr. Adar C. Poonawalla, whose continued association with The Bishop’s School has contributed to the institution’s ongoing development.

As part of the ceremony, Dr. Cyrus S. Poonawalla and Mr. Adar C. Poonawalla were felicitated with silver plaques in recognition of their contribution to the new building and their association with The Bishop’s School by Mr. Rudolf Woodman, President of The Bishop’s Education Society, and the Governing Body Members.

The School has previously dedicated a foot overbridge on its campus in honour of Dr. Cyrus S. Poonawalla, acknowledging his long-standing connection with the institution and his support for its development.

Founded in 1864, The Bishop’s School has been part of Pune’s educational landscape for more than 160 years. The inauguration of the new building adds to the School’s existing facilities and reflects its continued focus on creating improved academic spaces for students.

The ceremony was attended by members of The Bishop’s Education Society, school leadership, invited dignitaries, alumni, representatives of the Pune Cantonment Board and the Indian Army, PTA members, former staff, well-wishers, students, and staff from the three branches of The Bishop’s School.

The programme included a welcome address by Mr. Shayne McPherson, Principal and Honorary Secretary, followed by a Bible reading, choir performances, a thanksgiving and dedication prayer, and addresses by Mr. Rudolf Woodman, President of The Bishop’s Education Society, and Dr. Cyrus S. Poonawalla.

The event concluded with the presentation of plaques, a vote of thanks by Ms. Mayura Barsay, Headmistress, Senior School, the unveiling of the new building, and fellowship and high tea.

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