At the 24 Hours of Spa 2022, fêted sim racing equipment manufacturer Fanatec has unveiled an early, work-in-progress, version of its first-ever formula-style sim racing cockpit. Traxion.GG was able to try the new device and learn about its development so far.
The as-yet-unnamed prototype is officially licenced by Formula 1. It was first used at the F1 Esports Series Pro Exhibition earlier this month, an event for F1 esports teams to scout for new talent, and feedback was collected from the drivers to help finalise some design and build elements.
The new set-up is built around a single-seater-style driving position philosophy, with your posterior close to the floor and legs in a raised position. The chassis and the seat are all-new designs from the Munich-based company, and the cockpit features some fresh elements for this style of simulator rig.
Created with Fanatec’s current range of direct drive wheel bases in mind, there is an extended shaft used in combination with a unique bracket. This allows the monitor to be mounted lower than existing similar cockpits, not sitting above but instead in-between the wheel base and the wheel rim.
In practice, the result at present is a more naturalistic eye-line for driving in the low-slung seating position, working well with F1 22 to enhance emersion. In our testing, it also remained rock-solid, with zero chassis-flex despite using the Podium Racing Wheel F1 that can output up to 20Nm of force.
In terms of adjusting the cockpit to fit your posture, the angle of the seat can be altered during the initial build process. Then, a little red strip of cloth helps you move it back and forth, and a lever allows you to move the pedals too.
Like all cockpits in this market segment, the first few laps completed feel a little disorienting being so low to the ground, but five laps later – especially with the F1 game – it feels incredibly naturalistic.
Pricing and availability are yet to be unveiled, but something analogous to this prototype will be available for consumers to have at home, sitting alongside the existing RennSport Cockpit V2.
Images by Traxion.GG
