iWorld
Urban Indians are most likely to notice endorsements of mobile phones and clothes on social media
Mumbai: Among the various categories of products and services endorsed by social media influencers, YouGov’s new research found that urban Indians are “a lot likely” to notice endorsements for mobile phones (46 per cent) and clothes (45 per cent).
In comparison to this, each of the 38 per cent think they are a little likely to notice such endorsements, while 12 per cent and 14 per cent, respectively, think they are not at all influenced by such testimonials.
25- to 34-year-olds are most likely among the different age groups to notice mobile phone endorsements by social media influencers (53 per cent); those in the age group of 35 to 44 years are most likely to take notice of endorsements for clothes (at 54 per cent).
When it comes to groceries and food items, 39 per cent urban Indians claim they get influenced a lot by influencer endorsements, while for 37 per cent the influence is a little.
For other categories, such as tech devices, media streaming services, healthcare products, out-of-home entertainment, cosmetics, air travel, and financial investments, the influence is more likely to be little than a lot.
Data shows there is some polarity visible for categories such as video games and tickets for sporting events. While 24 per cent of urban Indians say they are very likely to notice such endorsements for each of the categories, just as many (28 per cent each) say they do not get influenced at all.
Gambling and bookmaking services are the only categories where 42 per cent respondents are more likely to say they do not get influenced at all than the respective 31 per cent and 16 per cent say they get a little or a lot.
Gaming
Formula 1 and Mumbai Falcons launch India’s first official F1 sim racing championship
Nationwide competition creates pathway from virtual racing to pro motorsport
MUMBAI: Formula 1 has teamed up with Mumbai Falcons Racing Limited to launch India’s first officially sanctioned F1 sim racing competition, marking a new step in the country’s growing motorsport ecosystem.
The championship, titled F1 Sim Racing India Open 2026, will offer a structured national platform for sim racers, with participants competing on the official F1 25 across multiple stages. The competition will begin with online qualifiers, followed by city-based simulator rounds, before culminating in a national final in Mumbai this November.
Open to players across PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox, registrations for the event will begin on 30 April via the Mumbai Falcons app. The format mirrors real-world racing, featuring official circuits, team liveries and competitive structures aligned with the global series.
Formula 1 driver Narain Karthikeyan said the initiative arrives at a time when interest in the sport is surging in India, adding that a structured sim racing platform could help identify and nurture the next generation of talent.
Mumbai Falcons Racing Limited managing director Ameet Gadhoke noted that the championship aligns with the team’s long-term goal of building a strong motorsport pipeline in the country and placing Indian talent on the global stage.
The launch also reflects broader momentum in esports, especially after its recognition under India’s Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025. By bridging gaming and real-world racing, the initiative aims to offer aspiring drivers a credible entry point into professional motorsport.
With interest in Formula 1 steadily rising and conversations around its return to India gaining pace, the new championship could become a proving ground for future racing stars.
