Building The Best F1 Gaming Setup 2024: Racing Wheel, Pedals & Cockpit

Many sim racers who play F1 games or race Formula 1 cars in sims like Assetto Corsa and iRacing aim to build the ultimate F1 gaming setup. With many different cockpits and sim racing brands partnering with Formula 1, the perfect F1 gaming setup isn’t as out of reach as it once was.

I’ll show you the best F1 gaming setup in this buyer’s guide, including recommendations for the best racing wheel, pedals, and Formula 1 cockpits. Pairing these products together can create an incredibly immersive Formula 1 sim racing experience.

What is needed to create the best F1 gaming setup?

Upgrading any sim racing setup to the perfect Formula 1 setup requires a few different elements. You’ll need a good racing wheel, and ideally an F1 steering wheel. A set of load cell sim racing pedals will help you brake consistently, and finally, a Formula 1 style cockpit will put you into a realistic driving position.

Buying all of these elements can be expensive, although you don’t need to break the bank to achieve a Formula 1 sim racing setup. Below is an overview of three examples F1 gaming setups at different price points.

	Budget-friendly	Mid-range	Premium
Racing wheel	MOZA R3 £/$399	Fanatec ClubSport DD €/$799	Simucube 2 Pro £1240 / $1379
Steering wheel	MOZA ES Wheel Mod £37 / $39	Fanatec Formula V2.5X €/$349	MOZA FSR Wheel £/$649
Pedals	MOZA SR-P Pedals £149 / $159	Fanatec ClubSport V3 €/$399	Simucube ActivePedal £2587 / $2889
Cockpit	NLR Formula Lite Pro £279 / $299	Playseat Formula Instinct €/$599	Fanatec ClubSport Cockpit Formula €/$2499
Total cost	£864 / $896	£/$2146	£6975 / $7416

The recommended F1 gaming builds include everything you need to feel immersed in an F1 game. You can mix and match any of the items above; however, I have included similar-quality products in each category.

The heart of any F1 setup, the cockpit

The real point of difference between a regular sim racing setup and a specific Formula 1 gaming setup really is the cockpit. Your cockpit is responsible for dictating your seating position, and being in a more reclined seating position will emulate how a real-world Formula 1 driver sits in their cockpit.

The three cockpits that I’ve recommended at each price all feature a heavily reclined driving position aimed specifically at emulating an F1 cockpit.

Choosing the right racing wheel

Your choice of racing wheel can impact a significant portion of your sim racing setup. If you’re racing on a console, your racing wheel will dictate your compatibility with other products, and it is solely responsible for producing the force feedback you feel.

The MOZA R3, ClubSport DD, and Simucube 2 Pro are all excellent direct drive wheels at very different price points, but they all have one thing in common: They excel within their given price range.

An F1 steering wheel to increase realism and immersion

The steering wheel that attaches to your racing wheel base is part of your whole F1 gaming setup that you interact with the most. You handle it 100% of your time while racing, and it sits directly in front of your face.

Choosing a steering wheel that looks close to a real-world F1 wheel is essential for your overall immersion. Opting for a wheel with a wide range of buttons, encoders, and inputs will give you plenty of options to map to in-game features, such as activating DRS and ERS and changing various settings.

Perfect F1-style pedals

The final part of any sim racing setup are the pedals. These don’t often get seen as they are right at the end of your cockpit. However, they are incredibly important. I often say that a good set of load cell pedals can help you improve your lap time and consistency more than any other part of your setup. I have recommended three very good pedal sets that all work perfectly with a Formula 1 gaming setup.

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Best premium F1 Gaming Setup

This Formula 1 gaming setup is about as premium as you can get. I’ve included one of the very best direct drive racing wheels, the incredible force feedback pedals from Simucube as well as my favourite F1 steering wheel and the upcoming F1 cockpit from Fanatec.

Below is an overview of all components in this high-end sim racing setup.

Racing wheel		Simucube 2 Pro £1240 / $1379
Steering wheel		MOZA FSR Wheel £/$649
Pedals		Simucube ActivePedal £2587 / $2889
Cockpit		Fanatec ClubSport Cockpit Formula €/$2499
Total cost		£6975 / $7416

Who is this premium F1 setup for?

This sim racing setup costs almost £7000 / $7500, putting it firmly out of the reach for many sim racers. It is reserved for the most committed sim racers. Those who race competitively in eSports competitions or require the most immersive experience will benefit from a setup like this.

For this premium F1 sim racing setup, I’ve recommended the Simucube 2 Pro wheel base. This is an incredibly high-performance direct-drive racing wheel capable of forces up to 25Nm of peak torque.

Many sim racers, including myself, wouldn’t run the force feedback at this strength. However, this peak torque gives you plenty of room to detune the FFB to fit your own preference. I personally use my racing wheel at around 10-15Nm of torque, depending on which game I’m racing.

The Simucube 2 Pro is the middle of Simucube’s three wheel bases. It produces some of the smoothest force feedback of any wheel I have raced with. Thanks to a slew rate of 8.0 Nm/ms, it also boasts incredibly fast response times.

This wheel base can be paired with almost any steering wheel from any brand, making it the perfect hub for various steering wheels. However, to use a non-Simucube steering wheel, you will require the wheel-side Simucube quick release.

One of my favourite F1 steering wheels is, without a doubt, the MOZA Racing FSR. This steering wheel has been around for a year or so, and it was MOZA’s first wheel with a large display.

MOZA has taken the great platform created with the GS GT wheel, including the high build quality and number of inputs, and added a huge 4.3-inch display. This display mimics a Formula 1 steering wheel in its appearance, and it can display a wide range of live telemetry.

The overall appearance and ergonomic of this steering wheel are fantastic, and during use you have everything you need to control you F1 car from the cockpit. There are a set of dual clutch paddles on the rear to help master your race starts and the large number of encoders, joysticks and buttons give you plenty of controls to map to in-game functions.

Building this ultimate F1 gaming setup, which focuses on a premium build, wouldn’t be right without the best sim racing pedals you can currently buy. The Simucube ActivePedal is a force feedback pedal with an in-built motor that can electronically move the pedal.

This motor allows for a wide range of really cool features that almost all other pedals, except the MOZA mBooster pedals, lack. Thanks to Simucube’s Tuner software, you can digitally configure the entire pedal, including the resistance, pedal travel, and more, without physically adjusting the pedal.

Where this pedal really shines is in the forces it creates. You can set the pedal to rumble when you start to lock a wheel or when you lose traction. There is the ability to create g-force style effects and an immersive vibration that is linked to your engine revs. All of these features really push this premium sim racing pedal above all of the competition.

The ActivePedal is incredibly expensive however it is a complete game changer in the world of sim racing pedals. I’ve been using this ActivePedal for around 6 months and I cannot see myself ever changing it or reverting back to a non-FFB pedal.

One of the main points of difference in an F1 gaming setup compared to a regular sim racing setup is in the driving position, and that is dictated by the cockpit. Many of the best 8020 sim rigs allow for some adjustment in your racing seat and how you mount your racing wheel and pedals. However, most do not offer a true F1 seat position.

F1 cars use a very horizontal driving position, with pedals often mounted as high as your chest. To achieve this with your sim racing cockpit, you’ll need a Formula 1 cockpit. Fanatec has shown us glimpses of its newest cockpit, which is officially licensed and allows for a true reclined seating position.

Although this cockpit cannot be purchased currently, we are seeing it more and more at expos and races, meaning it is not far away from being launched. This looks to be one of the very best F1 cockpits or sim rigs that you’ll be able to buy, and is perfect for a complete F1 gaming setup.

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Best budget F1 Gaming Setup

For the times when you don’t casually have £/$6-7000 to spend on a complete F1 setup, a more budget-focused solution can be the answer. You can enjoy sim racing just as much with a budget sim racing setup compared to a more premium one, as budget hardware is so much better than it used to be.

Even in this budget F1 setup, we have a direct drive racing wheel with an upgraded F1-style steering wheel and a true Formula 1 cockpit.

Below are all of the peripherals that complete this budget F1 gaming setup.

Racing wheel		MOZA Racing R3 £/$399
Steering wheel		MOZA ES Wheel Mod £37 / $39
Pedals		MOZA SR-P Pedals £149 / $159
Cockpit		Next Level Racing Formula Lite Pro £279 / $299
Total cost		£864 / $896

Who is this budget F1 gaming setup for?

This entire budget F1 setup costs less than just the racing wheel from our premium recommendation above, which is almost 10% of the total price. This sim racing build is perfect for those who are looking to upgrade to a more Formula 1-style configuration.

The cockpit especially helps to achieve more immersion when sim racing F1 cars in games like Assetto Corsa, iRacing, or the EA Sports F1 series. Its reclined position and compatibility with a wide range of racing wheels and pedals make it a great platform to build around.

To start this budget F1 sim racing setup, I’ve recommended the MOZA Racing R3 racing wheel. This is an excellent small wheel that comes as a part of a complete bundle along with a removable steering wheel and a set of pedals.

The MOZA R3 is a small direct drive racing wheel, and is the cheapest Xbox-compatible direct drive wheel you can currently buy. We reviewed this wheel when it launched in 2023 and found the force feedback to be excellent. It is slightly underpowered if you are used to larger direct drive wheels. However, if you are upgrading to the R3 from a Logitech G923 or similar racing wheel, this will be a big step up in both force feedback detail and strength.

Due to the R3 coming in a complete bundle, you could easily use this bundle without upgrading the pedals and steering wheel. The great thing is that the Xbox-compatibility is due to the wheel, meaning you can upgrade the pedals and use additional peripherals such as either of the MOZA shifters with this R3 wheel and they would be Xbox compatible.

As standard, the MOZA R3 comes equipped with a circular steering wheel. However, you can remove this wheel via the MOZA quick release and purchase an F1 steering wheel mod. MOZA sells an official F1-style mod that can be attached to the standard steering wheel.

This process is as simple as removing the six hex bolts that secure the wheel rim in place, and then swapping the rims. With the ES steering wheel mod installed, you’re wheel instantly becomes much more of an F1 style wheel.

It cleverly uses the electronics and inputs from the original steering wheel, making this wheel rim mod very cheap and accessible. For those who race F1 games with the MOZA R3, I would highly recommend this very cheap steering wheel mod.

Like the steering wheel above, you can use the included pedals in the MOZA R3 bundle to create a very budget F1 setup. However, the included pedals utilise potentiometers and don’t offer much resistance, making it tricky to perfect your braking technique.

Upgrading to the MOZA SR-P Pedals is a big jump in performance as these feature a load cell sensor capable of measuring up to 100kg of force. This allows you to apply much more precise braking inputs and upgrade the brake pedal to feel much stiffer.

These pedals are a must-have for any owner of the R3 bundle as they dramatically improve the overall quality for relatively little additional cost.

The Next Level Racing Formula Lite Pro cockpit is the glue that brings this whole F1 gaming setup together. This budget sim racing cockpit features a lightweight frame that positions the driver in a very reclined F1-style position.

The cockpit utilises a lightweight frame for rigidity and a collapsible design so you can fold it away once you have finished racing. The seat itself is incredibly reclined and positions you in a true Formula driving position. It features support pads to help you stay comfy during longer races and breathable fabric to keep you cool.

To help with storage, you can fold this cockpit with your racing wheel and pedals still attached, and there are rollable wheels on the end to help you move it around. There are unique tool-free levers on each side that let you easily lock the cockpit into place and quickly re-assemble it.

Next Level Racing state that this F1 cockpit can support direct drive wheels up to 10Nm. We have tried it with a MOZA R3 that produces 3.9Nm of peak torque, and the cockpit performed well. There was absolutely no vibration or flexing present, making it the perfect cockpit for this budget F1 gaming setup.

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Best mid-range F1 Gaming Setup

One of the very best routes to creating the perfect F1 gaming setup is to add a Formula cockpit to your current sim racing setup, or to upgrade your wheel and pedals to a slightly more premium hardware to provide a more immersive setup.

I have recommended my favourite sim racing wheel, pedals and cockpit that fall into a mid-range price point. These offer a big upgrade in terms of performance and immersion compared to our budget setup, however, the products aren’t incredibly premium to the point where they become unaffordable.

Below are my recommended wheel base, steering wheel, pedals and cockpit for those looking to build a mid-range Formula 1 gaming setup.

Racing wheel		Fanatec ClubSport DD €/$799
Steering wheel		Fanatec Formula V2.5X €/$349
Pedals		Fanatec ClubSport V3 €/$399
Cockpit		Playseat Formula Instinct €/$599
Total cost		£/$2146

Who is this mid-range F1 gaming setup for?

I have recommended this Formula 1 gaming setup for those who may already have some sim racing hardware and are looking to either upgrade or combine it all to create an immersive F1 setup. I’ve opted for one of the best (yet reasonably priced) F1 cockpits designed to position you in an F1-style seating position.

I’ve been using the racing wheel I’ve chosen for my mid-range F1 gaming setup for the best part of a year. The Fanatec ClubSport DD is a mid-range direct drive wheel base that produces up to 12Nm of peak torque.

This is one of the best choices for sim racers who are looking to upgrade from a smaller or less powerful racing wheel. This latest generation of Fanatec wheels includes a host of new technology such as a new force feedback algorithm that adds extra rumbles and vibrations to the overall sim racing experience.

One of the best reasons to choose Fanatec is its wide range of other peripherals such as steering wheels and pedals that are all plug-and-play compatible. Thanks to the Podium Hub, you can also use the ClubSport DD with a range of third-party steering wheels.

I have been blown away by my ClubSport DD wheel base since starting to use it, and it has become my main racing wheel due to its incredible performance and compatibility with all sim racing games. Most titles such as the F1 games and ACC have preset configurations for this Fanatec wheel making it incredibly easy to start using on PC or Xbox.

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This entire buyer’s guide is focused on Formula 1 sim racing and getting as close to driving an F1 car as possible. Using the Fanatec Formula V2.5X steering wheel is one way to achieve this. It is Fanatec’s most premium F1-style steering wheel, and it has been tinkered with and improved over the years, making it one of the most well-rounded Formula wheels.

The v2.5X is the latest iteration, and the version that I own came as part of the ClubSport DD Formula bundle. It is the same wheel that you can buy individually but it just features a unique blue crushed carbon fibre finish across the faceplate.

This is version 2.5X because the wheel design and functionality are so popular with sim racers that Fanatec hasn’t needed to revise or change much. Instead, they periodically update small elements to keep this wheel up-to-date.

It’s a steering wheel that is directly compatible with the ClubSport DD wheel base thanks to the QR2 quick release and it can work on Xbox and PS5 consoles. Priced at €/$349.95, it sits comfortably in a mid-range price range, making it the perfect F1 steering wheel to upgrade to.

The best mid-range sim racing pedals category is full of great options from brands such as Asetek, MOZA Racing, and Logitech. However, I have chosen to stick with Fanatec and recommend the Clubsport V3 pedals.

This three-pedal set features small rumble motors behind each pedal to simulate force feedback. This system isn’t anywhere near as advanced as the Simucube ActivePedals, however, it does provide a sense of immersion as you can feel tyre slip and brake lockups.

By choosing a Fanatec wheel base, steering wheel and pedal set, I’ve recommended a complete sim racing setup that is compatible with Xbox consoles. You can plug and play this entire setup in any game on Xbox by connecting the pedals to the rear of the ClubSport DD wheel.

Unfortunately, despite the pedals and steering wheel being PS5 compatible, the Clubsport DD wheelbase is only PC or Xbox-compatible. If you are looking for an F1 gaming setup for PS5, you could upgrade from the ClubSport DD to the DD+, which does enable PS5 compatibility.

Rounding out this F1 gaming sim racing setup is a very new F1 cockpit, the Playseat Formula Instinct. This cockpit is designed by sim racing specialists Playseat and is designed to sit in between their budget-friendly cockpits, such as the Challenge and Evolution, and the incredibly premium Formula Intelligence cockpit.

Much like the Fanatec F1 cockpit, this Playseat sim rig has been officially licensed by Formula 1, meaning you’ll find the F1 logos all over the cockpit, along with the classic white and red F1 livery.

This cockpit has been designed from the ground up to put you in the perfect Formula 1 driving position, thanks to the very reclined F1-style racing seat. The seat is well padded for comfort across long races, and there is a fair adjustment in the angle and position of both your racing wheel and pedals.

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How much should you spend on an F1 gaming setup?

Budgeting for a complete sim racing setup, which can be used for F1 games, can be tricky. You have to work out how much each component, such as the racing wheel, pedals, and cockpit, will cost, and you also need to look at how you mount your racing wheel to achieve a true F1 seating position.

You can achieve a budget-friendly F1 sim racing setup from around £/$350 by forgoing a cockpit and mounting your racing wheel to your desk. This will give you the most cost-effective setup, although it won’t offer much immersion.

Another option is to buy a budget F1 cockpit such as the Next Level Racing Formula Lite Pro to mount your racing wheel and pedals and sit in an F1 driving position. This cockpit costs £279 / $299 but will start to really add to the feeling of driving a Formula 1 or open-wheel car.

If you want maximum immersion, you can purchase a high-end racing wheel and a full F1 sim rig. Premium F1 cockpits start from around £/$500 and can go up to and over £/$1000 for really premium options such as the Fanatec F1 cockpit I recommended earlier.

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How we create these F1 gaming setups and tested each product

Over the past few years, we have been lucky enough to get hands-on with most of the products I’ve recommended in this buyer’s guide. We’ve reviewed a lot of the products and sampled others throughout the years. Combining this experience allowed us to create our ultimate F1 gaming setups for each budget.

The key to creating a true Formula 1 sim racing setup is the cockpit, and each of the three cockpits we recommended are among the best within their respective price ranges. We’ve then recommended our favourite racing wheels and pedals that we’ve used. Each of these pieces of hardware has been thoroughly tested in the F1 games as well as Assetto Corsa and iRacing to ensure they work well in a Formula 1 sim racing environment.

FAQs

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