With Formula 1's popularity surging over the last few years, so has the appetite for high-quality sim racing equipment.
There are a number of impressive racing titles currently available, whether it be F1 22, iRacing, Assetto Corsa or Gran Turismo, and combined with the popularity of Formula 1 being at an all-time high, there have never been more options when it comes to racing wheels, wheel bases, pedal sets, racing seats and racing rigs.
At a beginner level of sim racing, the quality of your equipment doesn't really matter, it's all about pumping in the laps and getting used to the physics of your racing game of choice. But when you're ready for that next step of realism, as an intermediate or expert sim racer who's looking for something ultra-realistic for extra immersion, there's just nothing that comes close to the Thrustmaster SF1000 wheel.
Thrustmaster and Ferrari have been collaborating for decades, and this is the culmination of that partnership. Officially licensed by Ferrari, the SF1000 is a 1:1 scale replica of the wheel from the legendary Ferrari SF1000 race car, complete with F1-style switches, buttons, LEDs, screen and labels, it's even made of carbon fibre! It really is a work of art. but, there are also plenty of brains to go with the beauty.
The SF1000 has 25 action buttons (including 7 encoders), a 4.3-inch IPS LCD display which can show up to 69 items of racing information, wireless telemetry connectivity, aluminium interchangeable magnetic paddle shifters, two customisable analogue paddle shifters and 21 LEDs; 15 for the engine speed, and 2 x 3 for race marshal flags.
What this means in practical terms is endless possibilities and customisation, an option that is so often lacking in beginner-level sim racing equipment. In F1 22, for example, you can check the temperature of your tyres, keep an eye on your lap delta, change your brake bias and much more on the fly, without having to press multiple buttons in the heat of racing. You can also switch to different screens, with each showing important information, with the flick of a switch.
And because the Formula 1 replica wheel features a 3 mm-thick carbon fibre faceplate, made up of 21 layers of carbon fibre, it's incredibly rigid and impressively lightweight, giving it a real edge over standard racing wheels. Because the wheel isn't actually wheel-shaped, you hold it by the handles on the side as a real-life F1 driver does, it's not only super cool but it's also a better driving experience.
The Thrustmaster SF1000 wheel is priced at £349.99, which is above most beginner-level wheel base and pedal sets. For that price, you get a unique wheel that oozes quality and looks sensational, it's probably the closest you'll ever get to feeling like an actual F1 driver at home.
Thrustmaster SF1000 wheel review score: 5/5
As for a wheel base to attach it to, the SF1000 is compatible with the TS-XW, T-GT, T300, TX and TS-PC Thrustmaster T-Series racing wheel bases (sold separately). For the purposes of this review, Thrustmaster provided a TS-PC Racer Servo Base and a set of T-LCM Pedals, which worked perfectly with the Thrustmaster SF1000.
Thrustmaster puts the TS-PC Racer Servo Base in its 'expert' category, and there are some good reasons for that, with the wheel base featuring a brushless servomotor, a mixed dual belt-pulley system and even inbuilt cooling. All of these technologies come together to provide responsive and realistic force feedback, allowing you to drive with precision, whether you're looking for traction out of corners or relying on the downforce in the high-speed sections.
It's not quite got the detail or the power of a direct drive wheel, but with 40w of power, it certainly packs a punch for the price point, particularly when you consider that it's got an MSRP of £349.99, which is significantly below more advanced direct drive equipment. It's also really quiet, something that can't be said of cheaper wheel bases, allowing you to focus on the racing.
Thrustmaster TS-PC Racer Servo Base review score: 4/5
The T-LCM pedals are a huge step up from the pedals that you'll find included with cheaper wheel and pedal sets, which feature 16-bit resolution Magnetic sensor technology for optimal accuracy, and load cell technology, which can withstand up to 100 kg of pressure. In the big moments, when you're trying a lunge at turn 1 and have to trust your braking skill to slow the car down, these pedals give you much more feel and confidence in such moments.
Thrustmaster T-LCM Pedals review score: 4/5
The Thrustmaster SF1000 wheel, combined with the TS-PC Racer Servo Base and the T-LCM pedals, is a superb sim racing set-up even for the most experienced sim racers, with these products featuring high-quality components that are built to last, but more importantly, to put a smile on your face.
