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Fanatec Podium Racing Wheel F1 : Test & Review

Sim Racer

E-sport driver & Sim Racing enthusiast, I decided to share my passion on this website.

Fanatec Podium Racing Wheel F1

Benefits

  • Very powerful and precise engine
  • Incredible realistic feeling
  • A multitude of settings
  • Excellent finishes
  • Wide compatibility

Disadvantages

  • Price is quite high Pedals and shifter not included
  • Quickrelease a little stiff

In the world of video games and especially of Sim-racing the German brand Fanatec continues to be ahead of all its competitors in the development of new technologies. The manufacturer has also gained popularity by trying to make all its products accessible to the widest possible audience and by offering top-of-the-line products at unbeatable prices.

We were interested in one of its steering wheel models, the first one that brought Direct Drive to the console: the Fanatec Podium Racing Wheel F1.

In this article we will tell you everything there is to know about this model, we will list its key featureswe will tell you to what type of player it fits best, what are its benefits and disadvantages and we will tell you where you can buy it and to what price.

The characteristics of the Fanatec Podium Racing Wheel F1

The wheel Fanatec Podium Racing Wheel F1 is a model high-end model under official license PlayStation.

Here is a list of its main features:

  • Release date: 2019
  • The Fanatec Podium Racing Wheel F1 is a 27 cm diameter wheel with a durable metal and carbon fiber construction.
  • Its handles are made of real Alcantara of Italian manufacture. This material is easy to clean and offers a sensational grip.
  • This model features two F1 type aluminum rotating paddles with a fiber reinforcement at the rear.
  • The Fanatec Podium Racing Wheel F1 is equipped with a direct drive motorized force feedback.
  • The rotation angle of this model of steering wheel is from 90° to 1080°.
  • The Fanatec Podium Racing Wheel F1 features 11 buttons with ultra-reliable switches, two toggle switches, two 12-way multi-position switches with rotary encoder functionality and an analog joystick for looking around in the cockpit or mapping with any other axis.
  • It also has a 7-position FunkySwitch to change settings and two thumb encoders that are easily accessible while driving without having to release the handles.
  • The Fanatec Podium Racing Wheel features speed and rpm indication and an OLED display for controlling the Podium base while you’re in the game.
  • This model can store up to 5 different profiles in the internal memory of the steering wheel.
  • The Fanatec Podium Racing Wheel F1 is compatible with PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and potentially Xbox One and Xbox Series.
  • Dimensions: 53.5 cm x 35 cm x 31 cm (L x W x H)
  • Weight : 16 kg

For what type of person?

With a price of 1799.95 euros on the Fanatec website, we consider that the Podium Racing Wheel F1 is not really aimed at the general public, but rather at experienced drivers, even professionals, who are looking for high-end sensations.

That said, it can still be very suitable for beginners who can afford it, since it adapts to all player profiles and is very plug-and-play.

As the name suggests, the Podium Racing Wheel F1 is obviously perfect for F1 game enthusiasts, but it is clearly less suitable for Rally or GT games.

Its advantages

We took the time to test the Podium Racing Wheel F1 from Fanatec, which allowed us to discover the advantages of this model.

First of all, we really appreciated the engine of this Podium Racing Wheel F1 which is particularly effective. Its force feedback is both very powerful, but also very accurate. The sensations that this little jewel provides did not leave us indifferent. Everything is perfectly calibrated to give you the most realistic experience possible during your races.

Secondly, we found the Fanatec Podium Racing Wheel F1 to be very performingbut also ergonomic. This wheel offers a large amount of adjustments, in real time, which can be managed directly from the wheel. The many buttons on the steering wheel are also very practical, as is the HUB that has been integrated into this model. Even though this Fanatec wheel is expensive, it is easy to use and really does suit all types of players, experienced or not. In addition, it offers a very good grip that is really pleasant.

We were also seduced by the excellent finishings of the Podium Racing Wheel F1 of Fanatec, which are perfectly adapted to a professional use. The choice of materials used, such as alcantara and carbon fiber, also make this steering wheel a very high quality model with a really beautiful and also very professional design.

Finally, this wheel Podium Racing Wheel F1 really has the advantage of being a very plug’n play model and to offer a wide compatibility. Its installation is very simple on consoles as well as on a PC. Moreover, you can accessorize it to your liking since it is compatible with the whole Fanatec range (be it pedals, shifters or any other accessory), but not only. It can also work with products from competing brands such as Thrustmaster or Logitech.

Its disadvantages

We told you about the advantages of the Fanatec Podium Racing Wheel F1which we were able to discover during our test. But this model also has some disadvantages.

Obviously, one of the biggest drawbacks of the Fanatec Podium Racing Wheel F1 is its price. It must be recognized that this professional equipment is very expensive and that, even if its price seems more than justified in the eyes of all those who have used it, it is nonetheless very high and hardly conceivable for most people. A steering wheel that costs almost 1800 € is clearly not for everyone.

It should also be noted that the Fanatec Podium Racing Wheel F1 does not include pedals or shifter. If you wish to install a complete equipment, you will have to foresee an additional budget, in addition to the already considerable price of the wheel. When you put it all together, it’s quite an investment.

Secondly, if the Fanatec Podium Racing Wheel F1 model is equipped with the QuickReleasesystem, we found that its mechanism was a bit stiff and difficult to use. You need to use a fair amount of force to remove the wheel from the base and give it some movement. It’s not exactly ideal, especially compared to other models.

Finally, we were somewhat disappointed by the little documentation provided for the use of the software. Considering the number of possible settings, we found it a bit light and we would have appreciated more information. It is not available in French, which makes things even more complicated if you don’t speak any foreign language.

Where to get it and for how much?

The Fanatec Podium Racing Wheel F1 is available for 1799,95 € on the official Fanatec website.

Note that the German manufacturer Fanatec does not have any partnership with any reseller. Therefore, all its products can only be bought on the official website of the brand, or possibly second hand. You won’t find them anywhere else.

Conclusion

Those who consider the Fanatec Podium Racing Wheel F1 as the best F1 style wheel at the moment are completely right. Our test allowed us to discover the best in terms of feel and performance.

This steering wheel is certainly very expensive, but its price is largely justified. The manufacturer Fanatec offers us a model that is extremely powerfulbut also very precise thanks to all its new integrated technologies. Behind the wheel of this model, you can feel all the details of the track of the track and the sensations it provides are incredibly realistic and detailed.

Whether in terms of design, ergonomics or compatibility, the Podium Racing Wheel F1 from Fanatec is truly the best on the market today.

So don’t hesitate any longer, if you have the opportunity to afford it and invest in this wheel, we guarantee that the Fanatec Podium Racing Wheel F1 will not disappoint you for a second!

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Fanatec Podium Racing Wheel F1

The best F1 steering wheel on the market in terms of feel and performance

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