Fanatec ClubSport DD F1® Esports V2: a real leap into "serious" direct drive

The Fanatec ClubSport DD F1® Esports V2 is positioned as a high-end entry point into the world of direct drive. We're no longer simply upgrading from a belt-driven base: we're clearly entering the world of serious bases, designed to drive hard, for a long time, with a real level of detail in force feedback.

This bundle is aimed at a demanding audience who want a powerful yet usable direct drive, with a ready-to-use F1-style steering wheel and solid console/PC compatibility. It promises a coherent plug & play combo, capable of covering modern simracing: F1, GT, endurance, even a little rallying if you like small wheels.

My angle here is simple: precision of feel, quality of feedback, real versatility of the bundle, comfort of daily use. Does this DD ClubSport base justify a step up in setup? And above all, is this F1 Esports V2 steering wheel a good choice if you don't only drive single-seaters?

From the very first laps, it's clear that Fanatec is aiming for balance: power, but above all control. It's not about raw demonstration, it's about control. It's this positioning that makes this model so interesting.

Design & manufacture: a compact but sturdy block

Visually, the ClubSport DD base makes a serious statement. The metal chassis, with its angular lines, immediately gives an impression of rigidity. In hand, when you pick up the base to mount it on a chassis, you feel a reassuring density. Nothing hollow, nothing cheap, this is material that seems cut to withstand hours of riding.

Assembly is clean, with no interfering play. The fits between the various metal parts are neat, the surfaces well finished. The QR (steering-wheel mounting system) inspires confidence: the lock is straightforward, and the electrical connection is seamless. On this point, we're clearly talking about equipment that's a cut above the older, entry-level Fanatec generations.

The F1 Esports V2 steering wheel, with its rubber grips and carbon-fiber facade, gives a serious impression. Buttons click cleanly, paddles feel crisp, without excessive softness. In hand, the reduced diameter reinforces the feeling of responsiveness. It's immediately clear that this steering wheel is made for attacking.

What's immediately surprising is how compact the base is in relation to the power it's capable of delivering. On a rigid cockpit, no parasitic movement, the structure doesn't even flinch. On the other hand, on a light support or desk, the power of the direct drive quickly becomes a limit of the support itself.

Where I'm a little more reserved is on certain details of the steering wheel's finish compared to pure premium steering wheels: the handle materials, correct but not top-of-the-range, or certain buttons that feel a little "plastic" when handled out of game. When compared with steering wheels from very high-end specialist brands, you can feel the difference. But as part of a complete bundle, the overall level remains very coherent for the asking price.

Compared to more modest CSL DD-type bases, we clearly gain in overall solidity and manufacturing reliability, without having the bulk of the extreme bases on the market.

Settings, customization & compatibility: powerful yet manageable

The ClubSport DD is based on the usual Fanatec software ecosystem. Via the control panel on the PC, you have access to all the classic settings: overall force, filtering, friction, damping, interpolation and so on. On the base and steering wheel, menus allow you to quickly modify presets, which is appreciated when alternating between F1, GT and rally.

The learning curve is reasonable. An intermediate user will quickly find his way around. The basic presets are usable right from the start, but the real potential is unlocked when you fine-tune the maximum force and linearity, and reduce certain filters to let more detail through. For my part, I really felt an extra step after a few sessions of fine-tuning, in particular by fine-tuning the filtering to maintain smoothness without stifling information.

On the PC, compatibility is broad, with the majority of modern sims working without a hitch. On consoles, the bundle remains in line with Fanatec logic: depending on the version, the base is recognized, as is the steering wheel, and you benefit from fairly plug & play use. The key point is that this kit is not limited to a specific platform, which is reassuring if you alternate between PC and console.

The Fanatec ecosystem is a real asset: pedalboards, shifters, handbrakes, other steering wheels... You can start with this bundle as a solid base and then gradually expand your setup. Scalability is real. The F1 Esports V2 steering wheel is very much geared towards modern single-seaters and GTs, but there's nothing to stop you adding a larger round steering wheel for rallying or prototypes.

In terms of durability in a setup, we're clearly on a base we can keep for a long time. It's not a "little" discovery direct drive, it's a central platform that can accompany serious progress in simracing.

Sensations in play: where direct drive comes into its own

On the track, the ClubSport DD's signature is quite clear: clean, precise power feedback, with a good balance between power and legibility. It's not about raw chaos, it's about a fine reading of what the car is doing.

The FFB's precision is what stands out most. You can quickly feel the difference with a belt base or a small entry-level direct drive. The wheel reacts immediately to the slightest micro-change in grip. The transition between grip and glide is more gradual, richer in information. You immediately understand what the car is doing, especially when you enter a bend.

In fast corners, the base remains stable, with no parasitic oscillations as long as the settings are correctly set. The F1 steering wheel, with its reduced size, reinforces the feeling of responsiveness: small trajectory adjustments are made naturally, without the need to exaggerate movements. You get the feeling you're steering with your wrists rather than your arms, which is totally in keeping with the F1/single-seater style.

Grip reading is much improved compared to a less powerful base. You can feel better when the front end starts to stall, when the rear becomes light on the brakes, or when a slightly aggressive vibrator causes the car to bounce. As for the vibrators, the feedback is very convincing: you can clearly distinguish a flat vibrator from a more aggressive one, and above all the speed at which you take it. It slaps when you need it to, without becoming painful if you adjust the force correctly.

Over long sessions, the consistency of the base is appreciable. There's no variation in behavior, and no heating that disturbs the feel. Fatigue is mainly due to the level of force you impose on yourself. By reducing power to a reasonable level, you can ride for a long time without slaughtering your shoulders. The direct drive remains sufficiently present even when underloaded. That's where this base model stands out: it remains communicative even at moderate percentages.

In rapid corrections, in the event of oversteer or loss of rear, responsiveness is clear. The base immediately returns the movements, and the small diameter of the steering wheel helps to catch up with the car. On a belt-driven base or a small DD, these phases may seem softer or slightly filtered. Here, everything is more direct and straightforward. You clearly gain confidence in the limit phases.

Faced with an even more powerful base, we lose a little in raw aggressiveness, in maximum torque ripped from the hands. But honestly, for most riders, this level of power is more than enough. The main gain, compared with a "light" direct drive, lies in the finesse of the signal and the stability of the steering at high speed, rather than in the violence of the strokes. That's where this base really changes the experience.

In terms of immersion, the F1 Esports V2 base + steering wheel package works very well on F1 titles, modern GTs and prototypes. The steering wheel's format isn't ideal for everything, but in its register, the sensation of driving a cutting-edge machine is there. You'll find yourself pushing harder, simply because the steering wheel gives you confidence.

Who's it for? Daily strengths and weaknesses

This bundle is clearly aimed at motivated intermediate to advanced users who know they want a serious direct drive and a racing-type steering wheel. A complete beginner can use it, but the investment makes more sense if you're already hooked on simracing. On the console, it's an excellent base for someone who wants to take a step up from the mass-market steering wheels. On the PC, it fits perfectly into a setup that wants to remain versatile yet high-performance.

Among the points I appreciate most, the quality of the feedback tops the list. The ClubSport DD transmits a lot of detail without becoming garbled, which really gives the impression of flying "by feel". The compactness of the base, combined with its power, makes it easy to integrate into a cockpit without struggling with clutter. And the surrounding Fanatec ecosystem (steering wheels, pedals, shifters) adds to the appeal: you're investing in an upgradeable setup center, not a dead-end.

There are, however, a few limitations to bear in mind. The F1 Esports V2 steering wheel, by virtue of its shape and diameter, is not the most versatile in the world. For rallying, drifting or more "classic" road racing, a larger, round steering wheel will clearly be more suitable. Secondly, the overall investment remains substantial: you're paying for build quality, power and the ecosystem, it's not an impulsive or "budget" product. Finally, the adjustment curve may require a little time to really get the best out of the base. You can drive very fast with a preset, but to reach the level of finesse expected in this range, you have to be willing to go through the tuning process.

In terms of perceived value, it all depends on your starting point. If you're coming from an entry-level wheel, the leap is huge, and the investment is immediately felt in pleasure and control. If you're already on a small direct drive, the gain will be more subtle, but more lasting and more oriented towards "serious" progression.

Verdict: a setup center for long, strong rides

Fanatec ClubSport DD F1® Esports V2 changes the heart of a setup. We've gone from a steering wheel that "plays at simulation" to one that takes simulation very seriously. More torque, more detail, more control: everything encourages you to drive more cleanly and confidently to the limit.

This bundle occupies a pivotal position in the market: it's neither an ultra-elitist product reserved for a niche, nor an entry-level base. It's a premium direct drive accessible to those who want to take a real step forward, without going for oversized monsters. The F1 Esports V2 steering wheel completes the package for those who mainly drive single-seaters and modern GTs.

I clearly recommend it to intermediate to advanced simracers who want a durable base, capable of accompanying a full cockpit and serious progression. For a pure beginner or someone who prefers occasional fun on open roads and rallies, a more versatile combo, with a basic round steering wheel, might make more sense.

If you're looking for a powerful, precise, upgradeable direct drive that's already ready for the modern F1/GT world, this product can clearly make the difference in your setup.