Fanatec Launches Fresh ClubSport Racing Wheel F1 Bundle

Fanatec Launches Fresh ClubSport Racing Wheel F1 Bundle RD.jpg
The Fanatec ClubSport Racing Wheel F1 combines the ClubSport DD+ wheel base with a new F1-branded ClubSport wheel.

Images: Fanatec

Following the launch of the Gran Turismo DD Extreme bundle last month, Fanatec is back with another variation on a similar theme.

The Fanatec ClubSport Racing Wheel F1, to give it its full title, is a new wheel and wheel base bundle.

Fanatec ClubSport Racing Wheel F1 2024


Much like the GT set, it includes the ClubSport DD+ wheel base – that means 15Nm of peak direct drive torque, the ability for game developers to utilise FullForce immersive vibrations plus PC and PlayStation 4/5 compatibility.

This is paired with an updated ClubSport Formula wheel, which visually looks similar to the existing Formula V2.5 and Formula V2.5 X devices. However, it features PlayStation-specific buttons for the main console menu, creation and options.

The main faceplate of the wheel is finished in a blue forged carbon, unique to this model. Below the OLED display for gears, LED rev strip and flag lights, you will find a Formula 1 logo.

Fanatec ClubSport Racing Wheel F1. F1 Sim Racing


Interestingly, Fanatec claims that this set-up is ‘designed for F1 Sim Racing’, the absent official F1 esports competition. We presume then that this is the combination in use when the in-person races return.

Elsewhere, there are the usual (two) 12-way multi-position switches, two thumb encoders, 11 buttons, two toggle switches and two aluminium magnetic gear shift paddles. The QR2 wheel-side quick release is preinstalled.

“…By far the best console racing experience I have ever had,” said Michel in our DD+ review earlier this year.

“The presence of more force [compared to the DD Pro] helps to create muscle memory, and this is a crucial element for consistent racing.”

At the time of writing, like the recent Gran Turismo wheel, the revised F1 wheel is not alone as a standalone product. The bundle excludes pedals.

Fanatec ClubSport Racing Wheel F1 cockpit


The Fanatec ClubSport Racing Wheel F1 is available to order from today, 6th March 2024, with shipping currently estimated at between four and seven days presently.

It is priced at $/€1,299.96, the same price as the aforementioned Gran Turismo DD Extreme set. Still no word on when the F1-branded cockpit by Fanatec will be released, first previewed back in 2022…

Which would you prefer? The Gran Turismo package, or Formula 1? Let us know in the comments below.
About author
Thomas Harrison-Lord
A freelance sim racing, motorsport and automotive journalist. Credits include Autosport Magazine, Motorsport.com, RaceDepartment, OverTake, Traxion and TheSixthAxis.

Comments

I see that Fanatec borrowed nVidia's pricing policy of: we don't care that it's well beyond what people are willing or able to pay, we just cater to the 1% of the market who are ok with extortianate rates.

How am I supposed to race if I have to sell an arm and a leg (plus a bonus testicle) to get this gear?

One day these compainies may relearn how keeping within reasonable limits is more profitable than whatever the hell this is.
 
Instead of stamping their badge around, I wish F1 had an official game with better force feedback.
I personally find the FFB in F1 23 very decent and actually better than some other title's attempts at F1. It's not perfect in terms of outright detail, but it is more than informative and immersive enough to have a great race with, and a significant step up from F1 22 in general.
 
I personally find the FFB in F1 23 very decent and actually better than some other title's attempts at F1. It's not perfect in terms of outright detail, but it is more than informative and immersive enough to have a great race with, and a significant step up from F1 22 in general.

I think I take a dim view of it because I want to drive the F2 and it just feels like nothing. The F1 feels okay in comparison - not a lot of contact to the road but okay it's playable. I don't think FFB is ever an isolated factor. There's the physics engine and also track models (and surface detail) that make a difference.

Then again, what FFB is, it's a very individual experience. I feel different about it going from one game to another. But it would feel a bit strange for me to spend a lot of money on hardware to play the F1 game... I mean I spend but there are other games I get more out of. It's just a weird marketing angle for relatively high end hardware.
 
Last edited:
The Mclaren rim is CSL rather than Clubsport level. Fair enough they update it but it would need a bunch of upgrades as well. It doesn’t have any thumb encoders, the shifter is on a rocker with no option to put the advanced paddle module on and I think it only comes with the plastic QR as standard so you can’t do full torque without an upgrade.

The formula wheel has all the functionality it's just too small for a lot of people. The Mclaren wheel has always been good for the price point but I think quite a few people would like a Clubsport level modern GT Wheel. And if the do do it at least some basic backlighting on the buttons.
Yes, that's why I think they should update/upgrade it. The format, shape, ergonomics and functions were a win when it came out, but competition has surpassed it. With modern sportscars being the most popular discipline in simracing, it should be a no-brainer to throw the kitchen sink at it. But it's Fanatec...
 
I think I take a dim view of it because I want to drive the F2 and it just feels like nothing. The F1 feels okay in comparison - not a lot of contact to the road but okay it's playable. I don't think FFB is ever an isolated factor. There's the physics engine and also track models (and surface detail) that make a difference.

Then again, what FFB is, it's a very individual experience. I feel different about it going from one game to another. But it would feel a bit strange for me to spend a lot of money on hardware to play the F1 game... I mean I spend but there are other games I get more out of. It's just a weird marketing angle for relatively high end hardware.
Admittedly I've never tried the F2 cars but I totally agree with your comments regarding F1 FFB, in that it's passable but not particularly detailed, and that the toned-down physics & track geometry just can't feed decent FFB.

Your point of it being odd for such high end hardware being packaged for completely opposite level software is a great observation, and now makes me wonder if there's even a marketplace for the package considering that difference.

Maybe F1 24 will be the answer?
 
The grips on this like the MOZA GS wheel are so bad. Dont feel good in hand even with real leather material from pineapple grips. Better to have some good molded rubber grips like gt neo, cube control, gsi wheels. The cheap mclaren gt wheel feels even better in hand.
????
 
Last edited:
Yes, that's why I think they should update/upgrade it. The format, shape, ergonomics and functions were a win when it came out, but competition has surpassed it. With modern sportscars being the most popular discipline in simracing, it should be a no-brainer to throw the kitchen sink at it. But it's Fanatec...
Yeah its a total mystery for me as well. Just update it, increase it to clubsport level, increase price by around 150 euro. Dont increase weight too much (this is namely a bit pro of the current McLaren wheel in addition to its size/ergonomics).
 
  • Like
Reactions: pai
D
Constantly doing these small F1 wheels such a waste of resources, so glad I moved from Fanatec.
 
Available to order and pay for. Will anyone actually receive theirs before August 2024?

Or is it like the Podium DD1/2 release, is it like the last Black Friday sale, is it like...? Actually have they even filled the Black Friday orders yet?
 
I can't believe that anyone would want to buy from fanatec now, they are a basket case with the most appalling business practices. I just sold off all my fanatec gear to get out of their ecosystem as my own personal protest to their pathetic practices. Have gone to simagic and could not be happier. Should have done it long ago.
 
Instead of stamping their badge around, I wish F1 had an official game with better force feedback.
it would not sell because simulation level F1 cars are so ridiculously hard to drive fast if you look at the one in iRacing for example that even majority of simracers bounce off of it.
so making an entire F1 game as a simulator is just not financially viable.
the current F1 games is as far as they will go in terms of a whole game.
 
Last edited:
it would not sell because simulation level F1 cars are so ridiculously hard to drive fast if you look at the one in iRacing for example that even majority of simracers bounce off of it.
so making an entire F1 game as a simulator is just not financially viable.
the current F1 games is as far as they will go in terms of a whole game.
You could make a realistic car and then provide assists that can be turned on/off to keep people on board that want more arcade races. Im not saying that is a worthwhile thing to do for the F1 games (its not, just slapping a new year on previous is smarter of course) but it could be done.
 
Premium
I have a CSL DD at the moment but, I'll be taking my business to Asetek in the not so distant future. What burned me up on Fanatec isn't necessarily this wheelbase, its the regular CS DD and how it unceremoniously jumped $100 after 3 weeks on sale. Couple that with the QR2 tax (for adopters of the new QR) and Fanatec just priced themselves out of the market. The QR2 makes every single wheel $100 more expensive, and if you want to stick with the old QR, you got to pay for it. Yes pay more to get a worse expierence... Bump that!

Going any place other than Fanatec would be a win in my book. Even Turtle beach's wheel would be better than sticking with Fanatec. So, I'll go with the liquid cooler patent trolls. At least they are concerned with making quality gear.
 

Latest News

Article information

Author
Thomas Harrison-Lord
Article read time
2 min read
Views
4,964
Comments
38
Last update

To join the OverTake Racing Club races I want them to be: (multiple choice)

  • Free to access

    Votes: 45 86.5%
  • Better structured events

    Votes: 7 13.5%
  • Better structured racing club forum

    Votes: 8 15.4%
  • More use of default game content

    Votes: 4 7.7%
  • More use of fixed setups

    Votes: 15 28.8%
  • No 3rd party registration pages

    Votes: 17 32.7%
  • Less casual events

    Votes: 6 11.5%
  • More casual events

    Votes: 16 30.8%
  • Other, specify in thread

    Votes: 1 1.9%
Back
Top