How to be Fast in Formula 1 Sim Racing

Formula 1 has always been the pinnacle of motorsport, inspiring countless fans to dream of sitting behind the wheel and crossing the finish line first. Today, that dream is more attainable than ever, thanks to sim racing. In recent years, the F1 Esports Championship has emerged as the highest level of competitive racing in the virtual world. The 10 real-world F1 teams are mirrored in this virtual world, with each team fielding two main drivers and one reserve driver—some of the best sim racers in the world. Through sim racing, the thrill of F1 competition is within reach for anyone with the skill and determination to race at the top.

Formula 1 cars are open-wheel machines with exceptional mechanical and aerodynamic grip. They require the driver to exhibit high precision, with quick and often sharp steering inputs, strong braking force, and flawless throttle control. Additionally, drivers must manage several in-race adjustments directly from the steering wheel, including brake migration, brake bias, differential settings, power unit energy management, and DRS activation.

When analyzing steering, braking, and acceleration, the following key points emerge:

• Steering: F1 cars are designed for high-speed cornering, which demands a delicate balance of quick steering and precise wheel control. In contrast, a V-shaped driving approach is more effective in overtaking situations, where sharper angles and faster changes in direction are needed. The key to handling high-speed corners is maintaining a precise wheel angle while reacting quickly to the car's movements.
  • Too much steering input causes understeer, leading to a loss of the ideal racing line and slower lap times.
  • Too little steering input prevents you from maximizing cornering speed.
• Braking: Braking must be strong and decisive. With the immense grip of these cars, the driver must reach peak braking force very quickly and then carefully manage brake release to continue decelerating effectively without locking the tires. This is one of the key areas where champions stand out from great drivers.
• Acceleration: The ability to apply throttle depends on cornering speed and aerodynamic load:
  • The faster the corner, the more aggressively you can apply throttle.
  • The slower the corner, the more throttle modulation is required to maximize rear tire grip.
  • Additionally, when the tires are not yet at optimal temperature, throttle application must be controlled to avoid wheel spin and spins.

For those looking to optimize their sim racing experience in Formula 1, Fanatec has developed the ClubSport Racing Wheel F1® CSL Elite V2 Ready2Race Bundle.

This bundle includes:

• The ClubSport Racing Wheel F1® (a combination of the ClubSport DD+ base and officially licensed F1-branded steering wheel). This is the same setup used in the F1 Sim Racing World Championship.
• The CSL Elite Pedals V2, also used in the F1 Sim Racing World Championship.

The 270mm steering wheel ensures maximum control of high-speed racing cars while maintaining the precision required for minimal steering angles, just as Formula-style driving demands. The wheel base is Fanatec’s latest release, delivering 15Nm of constant torque force, with new hardware and software solutions that enhance force feedback accuracy.

The pedal set is fully constructed from metal.

• The accelerator and clutch pedal use Hall sensors to for precise and reliable analog input.
• The brake pedal features a custom, dual-stage load cell and elastomer stack, and includes a set of alternative elastomer springs to fine-tune the feel of the brake.
• The CSL Elite Pedals V2 can be configured as a two-pedal set by removing the clutch pedal and recentering the brake and throttle, making the setup feel closer to that of a modern F1 car.

Mastering Formula 1 in sim racing requires both technical driving skills and high-performance hardware to replicate the real-world experience as closely as possible.