For me, F1 is the pinnacle of excellence in the world of racing, and the same goes for sim-racing. In fact, you can find more and more F1 steering wheels on the market, even if they’re not all of the highest quality.

Fanatec’s Podium Racing Wheel F1 is a model whose qualities I never tire of extolling, and which is well known and much appreciated in the Sim-racing community.

I’ve decided to tell you all about it in this article, because for me it’s a must-have product if you’re a Sim-racing player, and even more so if you’re an F1 enthusiast.

Main technical specifications of the Fanatec Podium Racing Wheel F1

• Direct Drive motor.
• Rotation angle from 90° to 1080°.
• Diameter 27 cm.
• Equipped with two F1-type rotary paddles.
• Under official Formula 1 license and official license for PlayStation 4.
• Compatible with PC, PlayStation 4 and 5, as well as Xbox One and Xbox Series with a compatible base.
• Equipped with QuickRelease system.
• Dimensions (L x W x H): 53.5 cm x 35 cm x 31 cm
• Weight: 16 kg

Features

When it comes to the features and technical specifications of the Fanatec Podium Racing Wheel F1, I won’t go into too much detail, but I will give you an overview of everything this magnificent model has to offer.

Firstly, it’s equipped with a direct-drive motorized force feedback system, the crème de la crème of Direct Drive if you ask me.

It can be set to rotate from 90° to 1080° , and is equipped with an adjustable ABS vibration system .

Fanatec’s Podium F1 also features an OLED display and a live speed and rpm feedback system, useful for improving in real time.

This model is equipped with 11 buttons, 12-way multi-position switches, thumb encoders, toggle switches, RevLED with nine multi-colored LEDs indicating engine speed and optimum shift points, two-flag LED bars (FlagLED) with three multi-colored LEDs that can indicate tire slip, fuel level… In short, enough to make you dream and feel like you’re in a real F1 car!

It’s a steering wheel that offers plug and play functionality and low-latency wireless connectivity, and can store up to 5 different profiles in internet memory. It is also equipped with the QuickRelease system.

You can see that the Fanatec Podium F1 boasts many high-end features, such as a very quiet active fan at the rear of the unit. It’s really good stuff, inaudible and only runs at full speed for a few moments under extreme loads to keep the motor cool when you’re racing sessions are a little too intense.

In addition, the unit has eight RJ12 ports on the rear for connecting additional devices. Includes a set of pedals, two gearshifts that can be used at the same time, and a handbrake.

Construction and Design

The steering wheel Fanatec Podium F1 has a diameter of 27 cm and two F1-type rotary paddles that I find fabulous (yes, the official F1 license is there for a reason and offers us a few advantages!).

You can see at a glance that this is a model with a high-quality design, and all the materials have been chosen with care. The manufacturer has opted for carbon fiber and metal for the structure, and genuine Italian Alcantara for the handles. A very good choice which, I think, gives the Fanatec Podium F1 a very professional look.

All the finishes are top-notch, and I can also tell you that, having worn it for a while now, this model is made to last you a long time!

Game-changing ergonomics

For me, what really makes the difference with the Fanatec Podium F1 steering wheel, beyond its incredible design and motor, is the ergonomics and the amount of adjustment it offers me.

All accessible and manageable directly from the steering wheel, but also via Fanatec’s Fanalab software.

You’ve got theOLED display , which transmits essential information live during the race, enabling you to react and adapt, for improved performance.

Of course, I instantly fell in love with the analog clutch paddles, which really give me the impression of using an F1 racing wheel. The sensations are mind-blowing, and frankly a real pleasure for F1 enthusiasts like me.

The Fanatec Podium F1 is also equipped with a large number of practical steering wheel buttons. Special functions can also be assigned to the rockers above the switches, for even more customized driving.

Another aspect that really appealed to me was the ability to store up to 5 different profiles in the internal memory of the steering wheel base. It’s really handy if you don’t want to waste time reconfiguring your steering wheel every time you change game or vehicle.

Bluffing gaming sensations

I’m not exaggerating at all when I say that the Fanatec Podium F1 is the steering wheel that gave me the most incredible gaming sensations.

With its extremely powerful and responsive Direct Drive technology, it really made me a better simracer. This steering wheel is the closest I’ve ever come to a real F1 steering wheel, and we’ve recently seen the GP Explorer racers (Squeezie, Amixem, etc.) practicing with it… I think that says a lot about the realism the Fanatec Podium F1 can offer.

The force feedback is so impressive that the driving experience is nothing short of magical. You feel everything about the race, down to the smallest detail, while remaining aware of any changes in tire grip, which really enhances your ability to control, but also to enjoy.

Incredible compatibility

The Fanatec Podium F1 is of course compatible with PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5, but also with the PC and it can work with Xbox One and Xbox Series, if you use a compatible Fanatec steering wheel base.

As this steering wheel is officially licensed by Sony, this means it will continue to work with all future versions of PlayStation racing simulators. A pretty handy feature when you invest in a model like this.

You can use it with virtually any game available on the market, such as iRacing, Assetto Corsa, Forza, GT Sport, rFactor2 and more.

Value for money

With so many positive points, we had to find a flaw in Fanatec’s Podium F1. And it’s clearly its price! At almost €1800, I’d be lying if I told you that this is a steering wheel accessible to all players. It’s very expensive, that’s for sure, and not everyone has the budget to afford it.

I’d just like to say that once you’ve invested in this model, you won’t need to buy another one for a good number of years. I know that technology evolves quickly, but I sincerely doubt that the Fanatec Podium F1 will soon become obsolete…

So for me, it’s an investment well worth making… But that’s a matter of personal choice and portfolio, of course.

My verdict

For me, the Fanatec Podium F1 steering wheel is a model that all serious Sim-racing players should have in their homes. As I said earlier, it’s the closest you can get to a real F1 steering wheel, and the sensations it delivers are exceptional.

So yes, it’s very expensive and perhaps not the most suitable for beginner players, but if you really want to improve your game and you’re an F1 enthusiast, you’ll, like me, instantly fall in love with this little marvel.

Alternatively, you can always check out my review of the 6 Best Steering Wheels for Sim Racing at 2025 by clicking right here.