A 9 Nm cube powering a single-seater's steering wheel

We love setups with a clear logic, and this one has it. The R9 base is a small aluminum cube that delivers 9 Nm of torque, and we pair it with the FSR steering wheel—a 280-mm carbon-fiber Formula-style wheel that comes with its own quick-release hub. The whole setup is aimed at single-seater drivers who want serious direct drive without venturing into the very high-end market. Right from the moment it’s mounted, the quick-release mechanism engages firmly, with no side-to-side play once locked, and the steering wheel felt perfectly balanced in our hands.

What the ensemble conveys to us on stage

During the first few laps, with the factory settings, the force feedback felt a bit vague to us. You have to use the Pit House software to bring out the full potential, and that’s when everything changes. You get texture, definition, and responsiveness that closely rival competing mid-range models. Those 9 Nm aren’t just a number—what really stands out is the speed of response, that sense of immediacy that makes you think “direct drive.” When entering a turn, you can feel the front end load up, and over speed bumps or changes in road surface texture, the feedback comes through clearly—where a belt drive would have smoothed everything out. When braking, you can sense the wheels starting to lock up in time to lift off the brake. The only downside I noticed was a vibration that was sometimes too pronounced at low speeds, according to the simulator—a bit more refinement would be welcome there.

Over time, two pleasant surprises

After two hours of continuous operation, the case remains lukewarm without ever limiting power or overheating. And most importantly, the base runs fanless, so it’s completely silent. It’s easy to overlook this detail, but during a long endurance session, not having any annoying fan noise in your ears really makes a difference in comfort. The 280-mm steering wheel, designed for the arms-outstretched position typical of single-seaters, fits comfortably in your hands and doesn’t tire your forearms over time.

Finishing: MOZA's True Playground

This is undoubtedly where the set really shines. The FSR features a 5 mm carbon front plate, a CNC-machined aerospace-grade aluminum rear casing, and perforated microfiber grips. For us, the magnetic shift paddles are the highlight of the show, with perfectly balanced magnetic force, a satisfying click, and adjustable travel using the included accessories. They’re a bit noisy out of the box, but the included rubber dampers help quiet them down. The buttons are housed in rigid shafts, with no lateral play when you extend your thumb mid-turn, although their click feels a bit too subtle for our taste.

The Screen and Controls in Everyday Use

The built-in 4.3-inch screen, which we initially thought was just a gimmick, turned out to be very useful once we were on the track. The resolution is sufficient to read reports, speed, and delta at a glance, and several dashboard pages are available. There are, however, two notable limitations. First, these dash pages aren’t customizable—you have to make do with what’s provided. Second, switching between dash pages requires combining two controls, which isn’t very practical in the heat of the moment. Nevertheless, the thumb encoders and scroll wheels make it very easy to adjust brake balance or mapping without letting go of the steering wheel.

Compatibility and Limitations to Be Aware Of

The key point to keep in mind is compatibility. The R9 set is designed exclusively for PCs; it does not support PlayStation or Xbox. If you play on a console, look elsewhere. Also worth noting are the bottom-only mounting and a power button located on the back of the base—two ergonomic details that can be a bit annoying in everyday use. On the other hand, the included hub ensures a secure attachment, and the FSR remains compatible with other MOZA bases, which paves the way for future upgrades.

Our verdict

This R9 plus FSR bundle has won us over as a serious entry point into single-seater direct-drive sim racing. It features a premium build quality, a truly polished formula steering wheel, and fast, detailed force feedback once calibrated. Our reservations mainly concern the PC ecosystem and a few ergonomic choices—not the core of the driving experience. For driving F1 cars on a PC with hardware that will stand the test of time, this is a package we recommend without hesitation.