Home consoles have sold superbly over the last few generations, whether Playstation or Xbox. It’s true that we’re a long way from the record sales of the Playstation 2 and its 160 million units sold, but the PS5 is a console with the wind in its sails. The proof is in the figures: the Playstation 5 has sold twice as many units as the Xbox Series X and S, and that says a lot about gamers’ enthusiasm for Sony’s platform.

In sim-racing, the story is slightly different, with a clear advantage for Microsoft’s platform, particularly Windows. It’s true that sim-racing on PC is far superior to console, both in terms of titles and equipment. On computers, you have a vast selection of peripherals that offer total immersion in racing. And that’s not counting the software support that lets you fine-tune a myriad of settings and other parameters to drive the way you want.

On PS5, software settings are almost non-existent, except on certain Direct Drive bases with firmware that allows this. However, virtual racing is commonplace, with some legendary titles on Sony platforms. Gran Turismo is the example that naturally springs to mind when talking about sim-racing on PlayStation, and we’ve already listed the best steering wheels for Gran Turismo on PS5. But today, let’s turn our attention to another equally legendary discipline: Formula 1 racing. In what follows, we take a look at the best steering wheels for F1 racing on PS5.

The Fanatec ClubSport Steering Wheel F1® Esports V2

Let’s start with a brand that has been the Go-To in sim-racing for many years, and it’s none other than Fanatec. This manufacturer of racing simulation peripherals has been in the industry for over 20 years, having made numerous technological advances in the field, such as the democratization of Direct Drive bases to the general public.

But let’s get back to today’s topic: F1 steering wheels. At Fanatec, the brand’s steering wheel catalog includes several entries, including the ClubSport F1 Esports V2. This officially FIA-licensed steering wheel features an anodized aluminum faceplate and a metal frame at the rear.

The faceplate features 13 controls, an OLED display and a RevLED. At the rear are 2 magnetic aluminum paddles, and Fanatec offers a kit of 6 paddles at extra cost. In fact, Fanatec’s entire catalog is highly customizable, which is one of the brand’s strengths.

The steering wheel is 27 cm in diameter, with open alcantara grips. I’m not a big fan of this material, as it’s difficult to maintain as far as I’m concerned, and you need to wear gloves on long sim-racing sessions to take care of it. But that’s just my opinion.

As far as ergonomics are concerned, the F1 Esports V2 is an excellent pupil in this category, with controls that fall right under your fingers. What’s more, this steering wheel comes in at an affordable €239.95. It’s perfect for F1 24/25 on PS5, provided you’ve got the base to go with it.

The Fanatec ClubSport Steering Wheel Formula V2.5

Let’s take a look at another Fanatec steering wheel from the ClubSport range, the Formula V2.5 and its X variant. This racing-inspired steering wheel is perfect for F1 racing. The faceplate is made of 5mm-thick carbon fiber, resting on an aluminum backplate. The latter houses the QR2 Wheel Side, now standard on all Fanatec steering wheels and bases.

With a diameter of 27 cm and controls very close to your fingers, the Formula V2.5’s ergonomics are simply excellent. A total of 20 controls are located on the faceplate, including buttons, rotary switches and encoders, with an OLED display and RevLED on top. The Formula V2.5 is a closed steering wheel, not an open one like the F1 Esports we saw earlier. The handles are made of perforated leather, perfect for long sim-racing sessions. You won’t have to worry about perspiration or the condition of the leather, which is an excellent thing in itself.

The Formula V2.5 is a sober wheel in terms of design, and price too. Retailing at €359.99, this wheel is less expensive than the Thrustmaster SF-1000 (which we’ll look at next), yet far superior in terms of build quality and materials. What’s more, Fanatec’s offer of PS5-compatible Direct Drive bases is top-notch. You have the GT DD Pro with its 8 nm of torque and the ClubSport DD+ with its 15 nm of constant torque.

Ah, let’s talk about the Formula V2.5 X variant. Retailing at €10 more, the V2.5X swaps leather for alcantara on the grips, white on the front for red and adds Xbox compatibility to the package.

The Thrustmaster Ferrari SF-1000

Ferrari and Thrustmaster have been working together for many years to offer sim-racing equipment, in particular steering wheels. Thrustmaster’s catalog includes the Ferrari SF-1000, a replica of the prancing-horse single-seaters.

This F1 steering wheel boasts a premium design, with a carbon fiber faceplate featuring 21 controls in all and 4 aluminum paddles at the rear, including push-pull shifters. In F1 simulation, it’s really handy to have such paddles, as they allow you to shift gears with just one hand.

There’s also a huge 4.3-inch screen displaying telemetry data on the vehicle, with a RevLED on top. Thrustmaster’s QR is located at the rear, but in terms of Direct Drive base compatibility, the SF-1000 pales into insignificance. Of Thrustmaster’s entire catalog, only the T598 (Direct Drive) and T Series (T300 and companies) are PS5-compatible, which puts this steering wheel in a very tricky position, often not at all considered by racers with a certain level of sim-racing.

Before turning to the price point, I’d like to talk about the ergonomics of this wheel. The controls, whether buttons, switches or encoders, are easy to reach on the run. However, the grips use a TPU-type material that tends to make your hands very sweaty over long sim-racing sessions. This forces you to wear gloves when running, which isn’t a problem in itself, but it’s not for everyone.

As for price, the SF-1000 retails for €400, which is reasonable given that this wheel is officially licensed by Ferrari.

The Logitech RS Track Wheel + RS Wheel Hub

Finally, the Logitech RS Track Wheel. The Swiss gaming peripherals manufacturer was slow to complete its Pro Racing range after the first bundle was released. We now have wheels, a hub, a shifter/handbrake and a QR. It’s certainly behind the competition, but better late than never.

Well, for F1 wheels, we have the RS Track Wheel, which is a wheel sold on its own. Based on a brushed aluminum structure and TPU leather all around, the wheel is minimalist. Only the Logitech logo takes its place in the middle, with 6 holes surrounding it to accommodate a hub (sold separately) providing access to controls and compatibility with the brand’s DD base.

The shape of the RS Track is very square, with an open top. Technically speaking, this wheel is intended for GT racing, but you can use it in F1 without any problem, especially as Logitech’s DD base proves good at sim-racing.

As for price, you can expect to pay €80 for it, making it the least expensive option. However, you’ll need a hub to use it on your setup, which puts the price at around €230.

Which one to choose?

Although the choice is ultimately yours, mainly according to your budget and driving preferences, I consider Fanatec’s offerings to be the best suited for Sony’s platform.

Yes, it’s true that Thrustmaster offers an officially licensed Ferrari wheel, but the manufacturer’s basics don’t follow suit in terms of feedback and feel. The result is a superb steering wheel, but a less-than-stellar feel. With Fanatec, the experience is much more homogeneous, in my opinion, and suitable for all sim-racing drivers.