A direct-drive game is finally coming to PlayStation

Fanatec’s Podium Racing Wheel F1 delivers on a promise that was virtually unheard of when we installed it in our cockpit: a direct-drive base that works on both PlayStation and PC. The bundle is based on the DD1 base and delivers up to 20 Nm of torque—more than enough to accommodate every type of driver we know. While most direct-drive bases were limited to PC, this bundle brings the technology to PS5 players without the need for any DIY adapters.

You can feel the chemistry right from the very first turn

On the very first lap, the ride felt almost subdued—until we activated the torque limiter, which unleashed the full power of the base model. That’s when the character changed completely. What stands out isn’t the brutality but the precision: going into a turn, you can feel the load building on the front end, you can sense the grip limit just before it gives out, and the rumble strips come through with a clarity that never blurs. Over long sessions, this finesse above all helped us drive more consistently, lap after lap. The direct drive didn’t save us two seconds all at once, but it eliminated silly mistakes by providing clear feedback with no perceptible lag.

A Formula wheel designed for single-seaters

The included steering wheel features a Formula design finished in Alcantara and carbon fiber, with the paddle shifters positioned toward the rear. The magnetic shift paddles offer a crisp, distinct click: you always know when a gear has shifted properly, which is crucial when rapidly upshifting off the straight. The dual set of paddle shifters with a clutch allows you to manually control starts. When engaged, the entire system exudes solidity with its metal chassis and angular lines, without the slightest unwanted vibration from the structure—even under heavy load.

A handy little OLED screen

In the center of the rim, an OLED screen displays settings and—via the Fanalab software—race telemetry: tire temperature, gear selected, and engine RPM. We found it really useful for monitoring tire wear without taking our eyes off the track. Its main drawback is its size: it’s still small, and we’d like to see a larger screen in a future version. The light-colored Alcantara, on the other hand, shows wear marks fairly quickly when worn with gloves. Another detail to note: the power button is located at the back of the base, which isn’t very convenient for everyday use unless you add the separately sold circuit breaker accessory.

Compatibility: His True Masterstroke

This is where the bundle really stands out. With its Formula rim, the base unit works out of the box on PS4, PS5, and PC. Xbox players aren’t left out, but they’ll need to attach an Xbox-compatible rim to use it on a Microsoft console—just like with the brand’s other DD1 and DD2 models. This is something to check before purchasing, depending on your primary platform.

For whom, and at what price?

The Podium Racing Wheel F1 is aimed at dedicated drivers who want high-end direct drive without being limited to a PC. The price remains high, in line with its premium positioning, and both the display and the Alcantara could use some improvement. But when it comes to the quality of the force feedback and its cross-platform versatility, it’s hard to find a direct equivalent on the market today.