Fanatec ClubSport Steering Wheel F1 Esports V2: my opinion after intensive use

The ClubSport Steering Wheel F1 Esports V2 is clearly positioned as a "serious" F1 steering wheel in the Fanatec ecosystem: more upmarket than a simple bundle steering wheel, without falling into the ultra-premium leather or limited edition category. It's aimed at gamers who want a feel close to that of a modern single-seater steering wheel, with broad compatibility and ergonomics adapted to eSports.

On paper, it promises a lot: a rigid construction, a ton of buttons, an F1-inspired design, all compatible with the most popular Fanatec bases. The idea is to have a racing-style steering wheel without blowing the budget or getting lost in complicated settings.

My angle here is simple: does this steering wheel provide a real gain in precision, confidence and comfort in sim racing, especially on single-seaters and prototypes? Does it remain enjoyable over long sessions? And above all, is it a good investment in an existing or future Fanatec setup?

What interested me, beyond the look, was the combination of feel in the hand / build quality / race practicality. Because an F1 steering wheel that's pretty but tiring, poorly thought-out or hollow-sounding is unforgiving. Here, it's the other way around... with a few points to be aware of before you buy.

Design and manufacture: a real feeling for competition

First contact with the ClubSport F1 Esports V2 gives an impression of seriousness. The metal faceplate, the rubber/silicone-covered grips, the overall density of the steering wheel: you immediately sense that this is no entry-level machine. In the hand, it's compact, rigid and free of parasitic play.

The handles offer a clean, slightly textured grip. You can squeeze hard without slipping, even with sweaty hands. It lacks the warmth and premium feel of leather, but for F1 / eSport, this coating does the job very well: precise, direct and very controllable. It's easy to see that this steering wheel is designed for long-distance driving without losing your bearings.

The rear paddles give a clean, fairly dry click, with a short stroke. It's not the most metallic or high-end feel I've seen, but for the price, the whole thing is coherent. Noise is present but not excessive, and the shifting experience remains satisfactory. During night-time sessions in a quiet environment, you can hear them, but it's not annoying.

What's most surprising is the overall rigidity. No parasitic movement of the hub, no flex in the structure, even on more torquey Direct Drive bases. You can drive hard into the wheel and it won't budge. Compared with more "toy" steering wheels or certain lighter models, the difference in seriousness is immediate.

What's slightly disappointing is the slightly plastic feel of certain areas, notably around the buttons and the covering, which reminds us that we're not dealing with a full metal/leather piece. The feel of the buttons is correct, but not exceptional: effective, well placed, but not to the tactile level of a very high-end sim racing steering wheel.

Compared with other F1 wheels from the same brand or from competitors, the ClubSport F1 Esports V2 is a good compromise: less luxurious than the very expensive special editions, but more reassuring and higher quality than entry-level wheels in a similar format. It inspires confidence, which is crucial when driving at the limit.

Settings, customization and compatibility: designed for the Fanatec ecosystem

The ClubSport Steering Wheel F1 Esports V2 takes full advantage of the Fanatec ecosystem. It attaches to compatible bases via QR, and once in place, everything is controlled via Fanatec menus: integrated screen on the base (depending on the model), PC driver, and above all on-the-fly settings using buttons and rotors.

The sheer number of controls available makes it easy to map everything you need for modern single-seaters: ERS management, engine mixture, differential, multi-functions for strategies, radio, DRS... There's plenty to do, even in the most complete games. In practice, you soon find yourself with a "modern F1" racing logic, and that's where the steering wheel design really comes into its own.

The learning curve depends very much on how demanding you are. If you want to drive in "plug and play" mode, you'll quickly get the hang of it: the main buttons are easy to use, the paddles feel natural, and the grip isn't confusing. If you want to get the most out of the rotaries and complex configurations, you'll need a little time to memorize your mapping logic, especially in F1 or endurance racing.

On the customization side, useful options are mostly linked to the basic profiles (FFB intensity, rotation angle, filters, sensitivity). The steering wheel itself can't be taken apart in every direction, but its compact design favors performance over fantasy. It's more about functionality than extreme modding.

In terms of compatibility, it works with Fanatec bases for PC, and, depending on the base used, on console too. The wheel itself is not what determines console compatibility: it's the base, as is often the case with Fanatec. If you already have a recent Fanatec base, this steering wheel will fit right in.

In practice, it's a product that makes sense as a natural evolution in an existing Fanatec setup: you can start with a more generalist wheel and then move on to this F1 Esports V2 to specialize. It's not just a disposable entry point: it's clearly got what it takes to stay in a regular simracer setup for a long time.

Sensations in play: where it really shows its worth

Once on the track, the ClubSport Steering Wheel F1 Esports V2 reveals its character. Its compact shape and reduced diameter reinforce the feeling of direct connection with the car, especially on very stiff single-seaters and GTs. It feels like a steering wheel designed for fast, precise turning, with no superfluous movement.

When cornering, precision is the strong point. The small size of the steering wheel makes micro-corrections very natural. As you enter a curve, you can place the car exactly where you want it, without wobbling. Compared with a wider or more GT steering wheel on the same base, you clearly gain in liveliness: steering changes are quicker, smoother, almost instinctive.

Grip reading is mainly via the base force feedback, but the steering wheel geometry helps enormously. When the rear starts to move, it's much easier to catch a slide with a compact steering wheel. The rotation travel required to correct is less, so you find yourself saving situations that would have happened less often with a larger steering wheel. For steering at the limit, it really counts.

On vibrators, the rigid structure of the steering wheel means that everything goes straight into the hands. Aggressive vibrators, high kerbs, stalls on sausages are felt with good clarity, unhampered by flex or parasitic vibrations. You can feel the difference between a finely modeled vibrator and a simple curb. You immediately understand what the car is doing.

Over long sessions, fatigue depends very much on your position in the cockpit and your base. The F1 format favors a more compact grip, with less amplitude and therefore less effort on the shoulders and forearms at the same intensity. With a reasonably adjusted Direct Drive base, you can ride for a long time without feeling like you're physically fighting against the steering wheel. On the other hand, those who like to hold the steering wheel "wide" may need a little time to adapt.

In fast corrections, this steering wheel shines. The rear wheel chases out of slow bends, the small losses of the front at high speed, the reactions to changes in downforce: everything is managed with a short, highly controllable rotation. Compared with a larger steering wheel on a less powerful base (e.g. an old belt-driven base), the car feels livelier but also tamer, because you're less behind what's going on.

Compared with a more powerful package (a large Direct Drive base with a very heavy steering wheel), we lose a little of the "tank" feel that nails the arms to the chassis, but gain precisely that agility. For performance-oriented riders, this subtle balance between torque and reaction speed is often more interesting than pure arm-wrestling.

Overall, immersion is very good if you like single-seaters, prototypes and modern GTs. The F1 form reinforces the feeling of driving something sharp, and the number of controls on the steering wheel means you can manage your entire race without letting go of the handles. You feel like you're in an eSport environment: focused, organized, efficient.

Who's it for? What we like, what we don't like

This steering wheel is clearly aimed at a committed player profile: intermediate to advanced simracer, who drives regularly, especially on PC or console with a Fanatec base already in place. A highly motivated beginner may also find something to like in it, but will really benefit from the product if he or she commits to demanding titles (F1, ACC, iRacing, rF2, etc.).

What I particularly appreciated was the overall precision of the shape + stiffness combo. When it comes to driving at the limit, this steering wheel makes you feel at ease: quick corrections, grip feeling, millimetre-accurate positioning, everything becomes more intuitive. Secondly, the ergonomics of the controls are well thought-out. While not perfect, they allow you to manage a complete stroke without leaving the grips, with key functions always accessible. Last but not least, the construction inspires confidence: no play, no flex, an impression of correct durability for intensive use, especially in an eSport or league racing context.

On the other hand, there are some limitations to bear in mind. The coating on the grips, while very effective for grip, lacks a little "nobility" for those who like premium materials. For more casual use, some will prefer a more versatile GT-type steering wheel, especially if you play a wide variety of games (rally, open road, truck, etc.). F1 specialization is an asset, but also a hindrance for those who want a single steering wheel to do it all.

Another point: the feel of the buttons and paddles is good, but not exceptional. We're still on a very good sim racing base in its price range, but if you've already tested ultra-high-end steering wheels, you'll feel the difference in the feel of the controls. Finally, from an investment point of view, this is not an "impulse" wheel. It's clearly aimed at someone who already has a Fanatec base, or who plans to set up there over the long term. The perceived value is solid if you really exploit the F1 format, less obvious if you often alternate with games that don't lend themselves well to this type of wheel.

Verdict: a serious F1 steering wheel for demanding Fanatec setups

The Fanatec ClubSport Steering Wheel F1 Esports V2 brings a real change to a performance-oriented setup: it makes driving livelier, more precise and easier to read, especially on modern competition-type cars. It transforms a decent Fanatec base into a clearly eSports-oriented package, capable of withstanding hours of training and racing.

On the market, it's in the middle / top end of the affordable range: above the "bundle" or beginner steering wheels, below the ultra-luxury and collector pieces. Its main interest lies in its specialization: if you like single-seaters and modern racing, it will quickly become the main steering wheel for your installation.

I'd especially recommend it to simracers already committed to the Fanatec ecosystem, who want to take modern F1 / GT driving to the next level, and to those looking for a highly responsive, compact steering wheel with no unnecessary frills. For a more casual player, or someone who mainly drives rally, drift or road racing, a more versatile steering wheel will make more sense.

If you're looking for an F1 steering wheel that's rigid, precise, well integrated into the Fanatec ecosystem and capable of keeping up with hours of serious driving, this product can clearly make the difference in your setup.