Fanatec ClubSport Steering Wheel Formula V2.5 X: full review after use

The Fanatec ClubSport Steering Wheel Formula V2.5 X is positioned as the mid-range "F1 / single-seater" steering wheel in the Fanatec ecosystem. It's clearly aimed at serious players who want a formula-style steering wheel without resorting to overpriced customization. Above all, it promises plenty of control, ergonomics designed for long races and comfortable compatibility with Fanatec bases.

What attracts is the combination of compact size, modern F1 look and a profusion of buttons, while remaining more accessible than a high-end "pro" steering wheel in full carbon. It's immediately obvious that it's aimed at simracers who spend a lot of time on GT3s, F1s and LMPs, and who want an efficient tool for managing their on-track settings.

My angle of analysis is simple: feel in hand, build quality, racing ergonomics and suitability of the steering wheel in a current Fanatec setup, whether ClubSport or Direct Drive based. The idea is to see if it really offers a gain in precision and comfort over a simpler steering wheel, and if it holds up to intensive use.

Design and manufacture: serious, dense, very race-oriented

In hand, the Formula V2.5 X gives an immediate impression of density. The main chassis is metal, with a carbon fiber composite front panel. It's not ultra-high-end boutique carbon, but the rigidity is there. There's no noticeable flex, even when you force the grips with a beefy Direct Drive behind them.

The grips are covered with a synthetic Alcantara/rubber-type material (depending on version) that offers a firm grip. The cross-section is quite thin, ideal for a precise riding style. You don't feel like you're holding a baseball bat; it's more like a scalpel tool. For long sessions, the grip remains comfortable, especially if you use gloves. Without gloves, it holds up well, but the material can heat up the hands a little.

Buttons, rotors and joysticks give a rather qualitative feel. Clicks are crisp, with decent resistance. The front encoders are particularly pleasant to manipulate in action. You can feel that the product has been designed to adjust brake bias, mixture and TC/ABS while driving, without taking your eyes off the track.

The magnetic paddles on the rear are one of our strong points. The click is clean, dry and very mechanical. Noisy, but extremely satisfying. For fast shifting, it inspires confidence. The additional paddles (clutch and multi-function, depending on configuration) add real versatility for endurance and standing starts.

What's a little disappointing is that we're not at the level of some very high-end "full carbon" steering wheels in terms of perceived luxury. It's more of an industrial solid than an exceptional object. Button labels and markings remain classic. But in this price range, the level of finish is well above that of entry-level plastic/faux-metal steering wheels.

Compared to a basic Fanatec steering wheel or a bundle steering wheel from other brands, we're clearly taking stiffness, density and serious construction up a notch. This steering wheel really gives you the feeling of being ready for years of intensive sim racing.

Settings, customization and compatibility: rich, but hard to tame

Formula V2.5 X takes full advantage of the Fanatec ecosystem. On a compatible base, you can configure an enormous number of things directly from the steering wheel: FFB force, interpolation, angle of rotation, ABS/FFB raw settings, etc. The display and LEDs add an extra layer of legibility, especially for engine speed and alerts. The display and LEDs add an extra layer of legibility, especially for engine speed and alerts.

The buttons are numerous, but their layout remains coherent. The rotary knobs are well placed for constant use, while the joysticks make it easy to navigate the game or interface menus. Getting to grips with the functions takes a little time: you can't master all the buttons in one evening, especially if you're setting up complex mappings on advanced sims.

The learning curve depends very much on the user's profile. If you're coming from a simple two-paddle wheel with a few buttons, the transition is a little intimidating. If you're already used to F1-style steering wheels, it quickly becomes natural. To take full advantage of the encoders and clutch paddles, a few test sessions are necessary, but the gain in racing control is very real.

In terms of compatibility, it is designed to work with all recent Fanatec bases, whether ClubSport or Direct Drive, on PC or console, depending on the base used. The important thing here is that it's not the wheel that limits the platform, but the base on which it's mounted. Connected to a PC, you generally benefit from full functionality. On console, certain options may be limited depending on the game, but the essential features remain.

The Fanatec ecosystem also works in its favor: you can combine it with loadcell cranksets, shifters, handbrakes and a rigid cockpit. The Formula V2.5 X is not a "low-cost entry point", but rather a mid-range/top-of-the-range flywheel, capable of following a setup evolution towards more powerful chainstays without becoming the weak link.

Sensations in play: precise, fast, ultra single-seater/GT oriented

Where this steering wheel really comes into its own is on the track, mounted on a Fanatec base with a minimum of torque. The first thing that stands out is the precision of its movements. With its reduced diameter and F1 shape, every little movement is immediately reflected on the screen. For chicanes, late braking zones and throttle corrections, it's a delight.

In terms of force feedback, the steering wheel itself doesn't alter the power of the base, but its rigidity and shape do affect the feeling of control. On a Direct Drive, you can feel the micro-variations in grip. Slight lightening of the front end, gradual loss of grip, bumps at high speed: everything is clearly in the hands, without excessive filtering. It's easy to see where the car's limits lie, especially when you're pushing hard.

In slow turns, the central zone is stable, with no wobble. You can aim for a chord point with millimetre precision. In fast, sweeping curves, the steering wheel's stability helps keep the trajectory clean. You don't have to fight against a steering wheel that bends or vibrates. The result: you dare to push a little harder, because the car speaks clearly.

The vibrators are very well reproduced. The large, "aggressive" vibrators shake the steering wheel, but without getting out of hand. The finer, F1 trackside-type vibrators give a very convincing sensation of rapid notching. You know if you're being a little too wide, or if you're biting off just enough.

Over long sessions, consistency is a strong point. The grip of the grip material remains good, with fatigue coming more from the base torque than from the steering wheel itself. The hand position, more horizontal than on a round steering wheel, is well suited to single-seater or low GT simulator-style seated driving. If your cockpit is too high or too vertical, it can tire the forearms a little more, but in the right position, it's very natural.

For quick corrections, this steering wheel is really at ease. Its small diameter means you can "break" the beginnings of oversteer without having to cross your arms. A flick of the wrist is all it takes to save a slide. On a less powerful base (such as a belt-driven entry- or mid-range model), the main contribution comes from the gestural precision and ergonomics of the controls, rather than from the FFB itself. On a more powerful base, the rigidity of the chassis is fully exploited: there's no sensation of flex to blur the information, even with a high FFB setting.

Immersed in the water, the combo of F1 shape, rpm LEDs and magnetic paddles works very well. Shifting gears becomes an automatic gesture, dry and satisfying. The LEDs help you to shift naturally, without having to look too hard at the game's HUD. For single-seater enthusiasts, this is typically the kind of steering wheel that makes you feel like you're "driving" rather than "playing".

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

The ClubSport Steering Wheel Formula V2.5 X is aimed primarily at intermediate to advanced simracers, who regularly drive on PC or console with a more or less serious cockpit. It's perfect for someone who already has a bit of experience with their equipment and knows that they like F1, Formula, LMP and GT3 cars. For a pure beginner, it's usable, but you can clearly get lost by the sheer number of controls and the very typical ergonomics.

What I particularly appreciate is the precision of the grip. You can really feel every little correction, which helps enormously in time trials. Next, the quality of the magnetic paddles changes the way you shift gears: the shifts are clean, consistent and very "racing". Finally, the wealth of front controls (buttons, encoders, joysticks) means you can manage almost your entire car setup without touching the keyboard or pad. In endurance or league racing, that counts for a lot.

There are limits, and these must be borne in mind. The first is highly specialized ergonomics. For rallying, drifting or classic cars, this type of steering wheel is not at all ideal. It's less natural than a round steering wheel. The second is the price, which, while consistent with the Fanatec ecosystem, remains a serious investment. It's not an entry-level whim; it's a well-considered choice. The third is comfort for those who play without gloves over very long sessions: the material of the grips can tire the skin a little, especially with a strong FFB.

In terms of perceived value, this is a product that justifies its price if you really use it: if you use the paddles, encoders and LEDs, and you ride often, you get what you pay for. If you do two runs a month on more arcade games, you risk paying for under-used functions.

Verdict: a specialized steering wheel, very solid in its role

The Fanatec ClubSport Steering Wheel Formula V2.5 X brings a real step-up in performance to a GT / single-seater-oriented Fanatec setup. It doesn't transform the power of your base, but it does refine the way you feel and control it. The steering wheel becomes a clean, crisp extension of what the car's virtual chassis does.

On the market, it's clearly positioned in the mid-top range: well above bundle or plastic steering wheels, below ultra-premium made-to-measure steering wheels. It's an interesting pivot point for those who want to take a serious step forward without falling into the unattainable exotic.

I strongly recommend it to regular F1, ACC, iRacing or rFactor 2 players with a GT/Proto orientation, who already have (or plan to have) a decent Fanatec base and a minimally rigid cockpit. On the other hand, for more versatile use including rally, road and drift, a round steering wheel would be a more coherent first choice.

If you're looking for an F1/GT-style steering wheel that combines precision, convincing magnetic paddles and a real ability to manage a modern car from your fingertips, this product can clearly make the difference in your setup.