Fanatec Clubsport Handbrake V1.5: serious handbrake for demanding simracer

The Fanatec Clubsport Handbrake V1.5 is clearly in the category of "serious" peripherals for simracing. Not a toy, not a gadget, but a real analog handbrake designed for rallying, drifting and all disciplines where rear control counts as much as gas pedal pressure. It's aimed at the intermediate/advanced segment: beefier and more credible than small, entry-level handbrakes, but without reaching the delirious prices of certain ultra-high-end models.

On paper, it promises precise stroke control, full-metal construction with a long-term focus, and seamless integration into the Fanatec ecosystem. The idea is simple: to offer a handbrake that lets you control, not just release.

My angle here is very concrete: feel in the hand, progressiveness in play, quality of materials and real ease of integration into an existing setup. The aim is to see if this Handbrake V1.5 brings a real plus to driving, or if it's just a "nice to have" reserved for detail fans. This is clearly a device that can turn a rally stage or a series of corners into a drift. Whether it does so with finesse and reliability remains to be seen.

Design & manufacturing

In hand, the Fanatec Clubsport Handbrake V1.5 immediately gives the impression of a solid block. Metal structure, solid lever, few visible plastic parts. This is a machine that inspires confidence right from the first touch. Nothing moves, nothing sounds hollow. The density is there, and you get the impression of a machine capable of withstanding hundreds of thousands of prints without flinching.

The finish is clean and sober, more like a work tool than a decorative object. Surfaces are well machined, paintwork is serious, angles are clean, without burrs. The mechanical adjustments (axle, spring, stops) do not give the impression of DIY, but of a mastered industrial product. You can feel that it's been designed to be abused.

What's surprising is the rigidity of the whole assembly. Once correctly mounted on a cockpit or a suitable plate, the lever hardly twists at all, even when pushed hard. The feedback from the mechanics is dry, clean, with no parasitic play. It's easy to see that this handbrake is designed to be pulled hard.

The main disappointment lies in the raw ergonomics. By default, the handle is fairly simple, with no extravagant grip or ultra-comfortable foam. It's functional, but not luxurious. The finish is very decent, but not "salon premium" in a custom-machined way. We're somewhere between pro and semi-pro.

Compared to very entry-level plastic handbrakes, it's night and day. Compared to certain high-end hand-brakes, we lose a little of the "mechanical jewel" aspect, but gain in terms of integration and overall coherence in a Fanatec setup. The overall impression remains that of a sturdy product, ready to take on the daily grind of the frequent simracer rider.

Settings, customization & compatibility

On the hardware side, the Clubsport Handbrake V1.5 lets you adjust lever position (horizontal or more vertical, depending on cockpit configuration or rally style), as well as spring resistance. The range of adjustment is not infinite, but is sufficient to adapt the hardness to your style: softer for highly reactive drifting, firmer for rallying where you want to dose the force more naturally.

We're not talking about the same complexity of adjustment as an ultra-customizable load cell crankset, but the adjustments offered have a real impact in game. You can go from a very short, nervous handbrake to something more progressive, longer on the run, which really changes the way you manage glide.

PC detection is clean, especially if you're already in the Fanatec ecosystem. Connected via a compatible base or module, the Handbrake is recognized as an analog input and works well with game calibration menus. On consoles, everything depends on both the Fanatec base used and the game support. In practice, in most cases, you'll benefit from integration via the base, but it's not a stand-alone "universal" peripheral to be plugged directly into a console.

Compatibility with the Fanatec ecosystem is its real strength. Clubsport or CSL steering wheels, pedals, shifters: everything can be clearly chained together. You get the feeling that this handbrake is designed to be part of an overall setup rather than to stand alone. The evolution is simple: you can add it to an existing setup as an extra brick, and keep it by upgrading the base or steering wheel.

The learning curve remains reasonable. It takes a little time to get used to racing and proportioning, especially if you're coming from a simple handbrake button. Once you've been calibrated in the game and adjusted mechanically, you'll quickly find your bearings. It's not a scary peripheral, but it does take a little time to get the most out of it.

Sensations in play

Where the Fanatec Clubsport Handbrake V1.5 really comes into its own is in playing conditions, on dirt, snow or drifting asphalt. The first thing that strikes you is how progressive the ride is. You can feel the "braking" of the rear end as you pull the lever, rather than just a sudden on/off. The transition between grip and glide is much clearer.

Precision has nothing to do with a button or a digital handbrake. Here, you can decide whether to lighten the rear slightly to register the car, or to go for a real crosswind. With a basic handbrake, you're often either totally hooked in, or completely askew. With this model, you can fine-tune the dosage. Above all, you gain in nuance.

In tight rally corners, the car positions itself more naturally. You can apply the handbrake at the start of the corner, gradually release it to hang up the grip, and really adjust the radius of the curve with the lever. The car becomes more lively, but also more predictable. You're no longer subjected to sliding, you're in control of it.

On vibrators or in surface transition, the handbrake doesn't generate physical feedback like a Direct Drive steering wheel, but its sensitivity allows you to adapt to what you're reading visually and to the steering wheel's FFB. When the car starts to hunt on hard braking, the lever gives enough control to correct without breaking everything. You soon realize when you've gone too far.

In drifting, it's even more obvious. The start of the slide is clean and controllable. You can slam on the handbrake to initiate the drift, then play with recovery by not going to the stop on every pull. Turn sequences become smoother, and you gain in consistency over long sessions. The arm tires less if the spring is well adjusted, and wrist movement remains natural.

Over long sessions, consistency is good. The lever has the same feel, with no noticeable drift or suspicious noise. The mechanics inspire confidence, which is essential if you want to maintain a steady ride. You don't spend your time thinking about the handbrake; you use it almost automatically, like an extension of your arm.

Compared to an improvised "handbrake" via a button on the steering wheel or a small entry-level plastic lever, the gain in immersion and confidence is enormous. At last, we have something resembling a real rally or drift cockpit. Compared with some even more high-end systems based on more advanced sensors or hydraulics, the Fanatec is a little less refined at the end of the race and in the "stop" sensation, but the precision/simplicity/integration ratio remains very interesting.

What really changes is the ability to make quick, calculated corrections. When the rear stalls more than expected, a slight release of the lever recovers the car without losing all control. With a purely digital device, you simply don't have this margin for adjustment. In play, this translates into more confidence and more pleasure in attacking.

Who's it for? What we like / What we don't like

The Fanatec Clubsport Handbrake V1.5 is clearly aimed at the simracer who has already invested a minimum in his setup. Typical profile: intermediate to experienced player, rally, drift or race oriented on circuits with tight passages, who drives regularly and wants more credible rear control. For the occasional pure beginner, the budget and specialization may seem disproportionate, especially if the rest of the setup is still basic.

What I appreciate most is the overall construction. It feels like a product designed to last and endure, with no play or worrying flex. Then there's the progressiveness of the ride: the ability to dose the glide literally changes the way you attack a corner in rallying or drifting. Finally, integration into the Fanatec ecosystem is a real plus: once plugged into a compatible base, everything communicates well, recognition in games is fluid, and you keep a coherent setup that looks like a real cockpit.

But there are limits. The ergonomics of the handle are fairly neutral: it does the job, but lacks a little comfort or grip for those who like long sessions or very "rally pro" sensations. Some will also find the mechanical adjustment possibilities a little limited compared to very high-end models, notably in terms of resistance granularity and stop feel. One final point: for players who are not already with Fanatec, integration may be less straightforward, and the product loses some of its appeal compared to a stand-alone universal handbrake.

In terms of value, this is a serious but coherent investment for an intermediate-to-advanced setup. It's not an impulse purchase, but a well-considered choice for those who take rallying or drifting seriously. In an already well-equipped setup, this Handbrake V1.5 clearly brings an extra level of realism and control.

Verdict: a real plus for rallying and drifting

The Fanatec Clubsport Handbrake V1.5 brings something very tangible to a setup: the transition from a simple slide release to a real rear-end metering tool. It transforms a track-oriented cockpit into a credible rally and drift cockpit. It's the accessory that turns a "generalist" setup into something more specialized and immersive.

On the market, it's positioned in the mid/top range: well above toy mini handbrakes, but more accessible and more plug & play than some ultra-specialized systems. It shines best when used in a Fanatec ecosystem, where its integration and reliability make sense.

I'd recommend it to those who regularly ride rally, rallycross or drift, already equipped with a decent base and steering wheel, and who want to take glide control to the next level. For a pure beginner or a very occasional player, it's better to invest in a good steering wheel and a solid crankset first, before thinking about a dedicated handbrake.

If you're looking for better control of the rear end, more precise cross-cutting and more lively specials, this product can make all the difference to your setup.