Simlab is a European chassis brand that has been active in this market for several years. This manufacturer specializes in quality aluminum profile chassis, which can be both affordable if taken bare-bone, and quite expensive with all options.

Among manufacturers of sim-racing chassis, and flight simulation too, as Simlab does both, the latter is renowned for its equipment. Simlab’s solutions are widely regarded as affordable, as long as you don’t tick all the available boxes when ordering. It’s more or less the Volkswagen of chassis: it’s beautiful, qualitative, fairly well priced and robust.

Simlab has long been a partner of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula racing team. The two entities collaborate on several products, including the AMG Petronas Cockpit. This is an official replica chassis for F1, and it’s here for a full test.

Chassis main and technical features

• Aluminium profile structure
• Dimensions: 1566 mm x 836 mm x 850 mm
• Available with or without bucket seat
• Low seat for F1 driving position
• Compatible with monitor brackets
• Adjustable base and pedal decks
• Seat slides to adjust driving position
• Official replica chassis

AMG Petronas Cockpit design

Simlab’s chassis designs are often minimalist, and the AMG Petronas Cockpit is no exception. The cockpit is made entirely of aluminium extrusions, in a dark grey color tending slightly towards blue. The Simlab and Mercedes-AMG Petronas logos can be seen on the structure. It’s discreet, and frankly, I love it.

If you decide to take it with the bucket seat, the latter is entirely black with the Mercedes logo on top. It’s also very handsome, minimalist and a welcome change from the blue bucket seats offered by Simlab.

Customized assembly

Of course, the AMG Petronas Cockpit is delivered completely disassembled, so you’ll have to do the assembly yourself. Unlike other Simlab products, this chassis is made up of just a few components, so you won’t have much trouble assembling it, even if you’re on your own. If you’re not up for a Sunday craft, I suggest you enlist the help of a second pair of hands when assembling this chassis.

Depending on your configuration of the AMG Petronas Cockpit, you may or may not have to fit the seat that comes with it. Whether you take the cockpit with or without the bucket, it’s just as easy, so no need to worry here.

Cockpit manufacture and finishing

The AMG Petronas Cockpit uses aluminum profiles for its entire structure, to guarantee rigidity and upgrability. Admittedly, the catalog of accessories (such as brackets) isn’t extravagant, but you’ll find everything you need on the Simlab website.

As far as build quality is concerned, it’s top-notch, as we’re used to seeing with Simlab products. It’s very well cut, the brackets and other parts fit without protruding, and I didn’t notice any manufacturing defects.

The same applies to the finish, which is just as premium. Between you and me, that’s only to be expected, since this chassis is not only new to Simlab, but also made in partnership with Mercedes-AMG Petronas for virtual drivers who love F1. The brand had to offer quality equipment, and it doesn’t disappoint.

Chassis adjustment

Let’s move on to the settings available on the AMG Petronas Cockpit. You can, of course, adjust the height, inclination and depth of the base deck (the distance between you and the deck), the pedal support in the same way, and also the bucket thanks to the slides.

However, you should be aware that the AMG Petronas Cockpit is an F1 chassis, so the driving position is very low, typical of that found in single-seaters. If you’re an endurance or GT racer, the AMG Petronas Cockpit really isn’t designed for it. True, you’ll be able to race with non-Formula vehicles, but the driving position will be altered, and you’ll experience a lower level of immersion.

Sensations during play

Let’s move on to the feel of the AMG Petronas Cockpit. First of all, the seat is Formula-style, so you’re very close to the ground with your legs pointing upwards. This makes for a very comfortable, immersive experience.

Then there’s rigidity. I did my tests with a Fanatec Podium DD2 and its more than 20 nm of torque, and I can assure you that the AMG Petronas Cockpit didn’t move at all during the heavy use of the base. Even if its design and structure seem rather weak, this Simlab cockpit is very rigid.

As far as accessories are concerned, the AMG Petronas Cockpit will be delivered without them, unless you opt to pay more for a screen mount, for example. And even with a screen attached to this chassis, rigidity hasn’t really been altered. Okay, you’ll see the monitor move slightly, or vibrate, but I think that’s part of the immersion. Basically, it’s an advantage, not a drawback, as far as I’m concerned.

It took me just a few minutes to find the right driving position on the AMG Petronas Cockpit, whether for the base, pedals or bucket. Once again, Simlab demonstrates the experience it has acquired over the years.

AMG Petronas Cockpit compatibility

This chassis is compatible with factory Direct Drive Front Mount bases. The list on the product page isn’t very long for this type of mounting, but you’ll be able to find a specific deck for your base without too much trouble.

For cranksets, I’d say it’s pretty exhaustive, with a bit of everything in terms of peripherals. Load Cell or hydraulic, the crankset support is strong and will take the load with flying colors.

Value for money

If you’re familiar with Simlab cockpits, the initial price shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise. The brand adopts a unique strategy, where its chassis start out relatively cheap compared to the competition, but finish quite high if you tick all the boxes.

The AMG Petronas Cockpit is no exception to this rule, with an initial price, without bucket seat or slide, of around €1,100, and a configuration with all options, or should I say all accessories included, at almost €1,700.

It’s expensive, yes, but it’s less expensive than the competition’s Formula chassis, which I think makes the AMG Petronas Cockpit good value for money.

My verdict on SimLab’s AMG Petronas Cockpit

The Simlab AMG Petronas Cockpit is a chassis that has been a long time coming, given that the F1 team and the sim-racing peripherals manufacturer have been partners for many years. If you’re a Formula 1 fan, I’d have no hesitation in recommending this cockpit. It’ll delight you with its immersion, rigidity and upgrability, even if the product page doesn’t offer that many accessories compared with what we’re used to seeing from Simlab.

However, if you’re looking for a cockpit that will act as the main office for your sim-racing, and that involves endurance, GT, Formula, rally, etc., I’m all for looking elsewhere at Simlab, because the AMG Petronas Cockpit isn’t really designed with that in mind. It’s a Formula chassis, and it’s perfect for this discipline.