Fanatec ClubSport F1 Esports Wheel | 2024 Review!
This is the Fanatec ClubSport F1 Esports V2, the company's officially licensed Formula 1 Esports rim, which, despite carrying the F1 logo, is surprisingly affordable at only $220. Although it's not as shiny and good-looking as its older brothers in the Fanatec Formula style lineup of rims, the F1 Esports V2 rim packs a mighty punch. For its price point, I genuinely think it may be the best bang for your buck wheel in the Fanatec ecosystem.
Today, I'll be walking you through exactly why, as well as telling you all the good and the bad you should know about it before pulling the trigger. And if you do want to purchase it, consider using my affiliate links, they'll give a small cut to me at no extra cost to you and help keep this website going.
Specs/Features
Designed specifically for F1 Esports, this rim isn’t as flashy and decked out as many others on the market. Simply put, it boasts a conservative, yet clean design with little visible bells and whistles. I say “visible” because one of the aspects of this wheel that caught me most by surprise was its vibration motors built into the grips to add tactile feedback in supported games. This is something that I’ve never really seen before and caught me totally by surprise, given the price point of this rim.
That said, it’s important to note that full functionality of this feature is only guaranteed on PC, and it may or may not work on PlayStation 4 and 5 consoles. As for Xbox, you’re out of luck, as this wheel is not at all supported with those consoles.
Other features that left me pleasantly surprised were the genuine Alcantara grips, which feel amazing, the bright Rev and Flag LEDs, and the blue telemetry display, which can be used for many different things, notably for making force feedback adjustments on the rim itself.
The Fanatec ClubSport F1 Esports V2 Rim is equipped with 11 buttons, an analogue joystick, and a 7-way funky switch, providing plenty of functionality. However, notably missing are rotary or thumb encoders, which are extremely useful, especially in racing formula cars. This omission is one of the biggest drawbacks of this rim, as it's something that both I and many others consider essential. Thankfully, the buttons that are present feel good to press, with a clicky and firm action.
I was very pleased to see an included set of custom button caps that allow you to personalize this wheel. However, the functionality of the button caps themselves could definitely use some improvement. For example, instead of a horn or seat adjustment icon, more practical icons such as traction control or ABS up and down would be more beneficial.
Being an entry-level wheel from Fanatec, the faceplate is made from metal, with the rest of the casing being injection-molded plastic. The color palette used on the buttons is certainly controversial, giving the rim a somewhat toyish look, yet it also appears quite fun. Of course, this is subjective, so I invite you to share your thoughts on the look of this wheel in the comments.
The wheel is very ergonomic in design, fitting perfectly around my hands with handles of good thickness and all buttons and paddle shifters within comfortable reach. Speaking of the paddle shifters, they are made from a 3mm thick metal sheet and, being magnetic, offer a crisp shifting feel and sound. It's worth noting that these paddle shifters can be completely upgraded with the Fanatec advanced paddle module, sold separately, for even more functionality and an improved feel, although this comes at an additional cost.
Another upgradeable feature is the quick release system. The F1 Esports Formula wheel comes with the all-aluminum QR1 quick release system at no extra cost when purchased as a standalone rim. However, in this video, I'm using the brand-new QR2 Pro. If you're curious, you can watch my full review of the new Fanatec QR2 systems right here.
In-Game Performance
In-game, I have almost no complaints regarding the performance of this rim. Of course, the Alcantara handles pretty much force you into using gloves to preserve their look and feel, but other than that, it's smooth sailing out on the track. The rim is well-built, with no flex felt at any point. The small size and low weight of the wheel, combined with vibration motors on the rim, added to the immersion, as I could clearly feel everything transmitted from my wheelbase and even more.
Overall, the Fanatec ClubSport F1 Esports V2 stands out as a strong option in the sim racing market, particularly for those interested in formula style racing. In my opinion, its combination of affordability, functionality, and quality construction makes it a top contender for the title of best value wheel in the Fanatec lineup. While it may lack some of the flashier features and aesthetics of its higher-end counterparts, it more than compensates with its solid performance, tactile feedback, and ergonomic design. The major drawback would be the lack of rotary or thumb encoders, which do hinder its overall functionality, but that's certainly a bigger deal to some than to others.
Whether you're a seasoned sim racer or just starting out, I believe this wheel is a wise investment that promises to enhance your racing experience. As a side note, you will need a Fanatec wheelbase to use this rim, below are four of the newer and more affordable version available:
OC SCORE
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