The Fanatec Podium Wheel Rim Bentley GT3 (often referred to as the "Podium Bentley GT3") is clearly positioned in the very high-end category of GT/endurance-oriented Direct Drive steering wheels. It's a showcase product, designed as much as a collector's item as a performance tool. On paper, it promises extreme immersion, automotive-grade manufacturing quality and advanced integration with the Fanatec Podium ecosystem.

This steering wheel appeals because it ticks all the boxes of the sim racing fantasy: direct inspiration from a real racing car, integrated screen, buttons everywhere, noble materials. But beyond the "wow" factor, we'll have to wait and see what it really brings to the table once mounted on a base and used on a virtual track.

My angle here is simple: does the Podium Bentley GT3 offer a real gain in feel, ergonomics and confidence over a more "classic" steering wheel from the Fanatec range, or is it mainly a premium item for wealthy enthusiasts? In other words, are we paying primarily for the design, or also for a real difference in driving and everyday use?

Design and manufacturing

In hand, the Podium Bentley GT3 immediately feels very upmarket. The body of the steering wheel exudes rigidity, with a solid metal structure, sturdy paddles and an overall feeling of density. Nothing sounds hollow, nothing moves, even if you force the rim a little. It's easy to see that it's been designed to withstand long sessions on a powerful Direct Drive base.

The materials are clearly a cut above most "mainstream" sim racing wheels. The grips offer a clean, pleasant grip, with a texture that inspires confidence without being aggressive to the hands. Buttons click cleanly, rotaries have distinct notches, and paddles fall nicely under the fingers. You really feel like you're holding a piece of the GT3 cockpit in your hands.

What's immediately surprising is the overall integration: the central screen, the layout of the controls, the overall look inspired directly by the Bentley racing car. Visually, it's spectacular. It's the kind of steering wheel that transforms a sim racing cockpit into a serious cockpit. In this respect, Fanatec is in the league of brands that seek to reproduce the real thing as closely as possible.

There are a few drawbacks, however. The weight of the steering wheel makes itself felt, especially if you come from a lighter rim. On an already advanced base, this isn't a major problem, but on a borderline configuration, it can make the steering a little heavier and filter out certain micro-vibrations slightly. Some of the finishing details may also seem a little "industrial" for the price, especially when you look at the steering wheel from a few centimetres away, even if you don't really think about it during use.

Compared to other top-of-the-range Fanatec steering wheels, we're clearly a step up in terms of presence and solid feel. Compared with simpler steering wheels, the Bentley GT3 immediately feels like the centerpiece of the setup, almost like a technological jewel that you want to protect.

Settings, customization and compatibility

The Podium Bentley GT3 is part of the Fanatec ecosystem. It connects to the brand's compatible bases and thus benefits from the entire Fanatec software layer: profiles, internal settings, integration with the base's dashboard and PC software. The integrated screen, when properly exploited by games and plug-ins, adds an interesting layer of legibility: telemetry info, gear engaged, laps, etc.

In terms of settings, customization takes place mainly via the Direct Drive base and the game parameters, but the steering wheel offers a large number of buttons, rotors and paddles that allow you to have all the essential functions (and more) at your fingertips. This is particularly useful for complex simulations: brake bias, engine maps, TC and ABS settings, without having to navigate through endless menus.

There is a learning curve. Going from a simple steering wheel to this type of rim, which is loaded with buttons and controls, takes a little time. In the early days, you may find yourself looking for a button in the wrong place, or forgetting a rotary. After a while, everything becomes self-anchored, and the position of the controls becomes natural. For someone who likes to optimize, this is a real playground.

In terms of compatibility, the steering wheel is at home on PCs and compatible consoles with Fanatec bases. On PCs, you logically benefit from maximum flexibility in terms of display on the integrated screen and button mapping. On consoles, everything works, but with a few natural limitations linked to the games themselves and their telemetry management.

As far as the ecosystem is concerned, this steering wheel is clearly designed for already advanced setups: Direct Drive Podium base or equivalent in the range, serious crankset, rigid cockpit. It's less an entry point than a culmination. It feels like a product designed to fit into an already mature environment, rather than the first purchase of a player just starting out.

Sensations in play

Where the Podium Bentley GT3 really comes into its own is in the purely on-track feel. With a well-tuned Direct Drive base, the steering wheel delivers a pleasantly precise feel. Its rigidity and solid construction mean that the slightest variation in torque and the slightest transfer of load pass cleanly through the hands. The feel is clean, with no parasitic flex or rim play.

When cornering, the steering is easy to read. The shape of the rim and the position of the hands give a good feel for the front end. It's not just a question of brute force, but of clear signals. You quickly understand when you've reached the limit of grip, especially on simulations that handle FFB well. You can feel when the front starts to slip, that precise point at which you need to ease off a little, counter-steer or adapt your braking.

Grip feedback is also one of the strong points. The combination of Direct Drive with a rigid rim like this one gives very clean feedback on variations in track surface, temperature changes and gradual loss of grip. On the vibrators, we take advantage of the mass of the steering wheel to dampen shocks slightly, while retaining the important information: vibration, frequency, intensity. You don't have a machine-gun in your hands, but you know exactly what's going on under the tires.

In fast corrections, the grip inspires confidence. The grips offer excellent grip, allowing you to react quickly when the rear stalls or you go a little too wide on an aggressive vibrator. The weight of the steering wheel lends a certain "seriousness" to your movements: the wheel doesn't fly off in all directions, but follows your hands in a controlled manner. You can be aggressive in counter-steering without fighting with the material.

On long sessions, comfort remains good, as long as force settings remain reasonable. The grip materials limit hand fatigue, and the overall ergonomics allow you to vary your riding position without losing control of the essential controls. On the other hand, if you really push the power of the Direct Drive, the weight of the rim is bound to be felt in the forearms. It's not specific to this model, but it's something to keep in mind.

In pure immersion, this steering wheel clearly makes an impact. The central screen, the lights and the GT3-inspired design all contribute to reinforcing the sensation of driving a real racing car. When everything is properly calibrated, you get the pleasant impression of being at one with the setup. You'll find yourself fine-tuning the settings as you drive, just as an endurance racer would. This is where the steering wheel really comes into its own: giving access to a highly granular level of control without taking your eyes off the track.

Compared with a simpler or lighter steering wheel, the main gains are in legibility and stability of feel, rather than "big FFB". A less powerful base combined with this steering wheel can already offer a very good return, but it's clearly designed to be used with a high-end base. Conversely, compared with a very light rim where the FFB sometimes seems more explosive, the Bentley GT3 gives something more composed, more mature, less nervous but more controlled. We lose a little in raw vivacity, but gain in quality of information.

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

The Podium Bentley GT3 is aimed above all at invested sim racers, already well equipped, who drive mainly on PC or console with serious simulations. I see it as particularly suited to intermediate to advanced profiles, who already know what they want in terms of FFB, control mapping and car type (GT, endurance, possibly some protos or turismos). For a motivated beginner with a massive budget, it's still usable, but it's clearly not the most rational route.

What I appreciate most is the overall build quality. The steering wheel gives the impression of a solid, reassuring block that will withstand years of use. Next, the ergonomics in racing situations are very good: all the important controls are accessible without contortion, which really changes life on long races or serious championships. Finally, the depth of immersion is real. The GT3-inspired design, the central screen and the integration with the Direct Drive base take you into another dimension compared to a basic steering wheel. It's the kind of product that makes you want to drive more often.

As far as limitations are concerned, the first is obvious: the price makes this steering wheel a heavy investment, reserved for those who see sim racing as a long-term passion, not just a game. It's as much a collector's item as a performance tool. Secondly, the weight and overall complexity may put off users looking for something simple, plug and play, with no learning curve. Thirdly, even if it is compatible with several platforms, this steering wheel only makes sense in a coherent setup of the Podium range or equivalent. On a small, low-powered base or a lightweight cockpit, neither the potential nor the logic of the product is exploited.

In terms of perceived value, it all depends on how you look at sim racing. For an enthusiast who wants a showcase setup, spends many hours in GT3 and likes to optimize his settings live, the Bentley GT3 can be justified as a long-term investment. For those looking for the best performance/price ratio, there are much more rational steering wheels available from the same brand.

Verdict

The Fanatec Podium Bentley GT3 clearly changes the hierarchy in a setup, because it instantly becomes the visual and functional centerpiece. We're not just talking about a change of steering wheel, but a real leap into a "pro" category of sim racing, both in feel and physical presence in the cockpit. It takes an already serious package into a frankly premium dimension.

This is a very high-end, almost niche product, positioned on the borderline between performance equipment and collector's item. It outclasses most GT-oriented wheels in terms of construction, ergonomics and immersion, but it does so at a clearly assumed cost. It can't honestly be compared to mid-range wheels: it's not the same philosophy.

I'd recommend it to demanding sim racers, already equipped with a solid Direct Drive base and a rigid cockpit, who race a lot in GT3/endurance and who want a steering wheel that's both ultra-functional and rewarding. On the other hand, for an occasional gamer, a console user with little regard for fine-tuning, or someone who has to arbitrate every euro of his setup, it's simply not the most pertinent choice.

If you're looking for an ultra-immersive, sensory-dense GT3 steering wheel designed for a high-end Direct Drive setup, this product can clearly make the difference in your setup.