It is becoming more and more the case that F1 is a sport heading online, where teams do not need to spend huge amounts of money on expensive fuel, practice and testing tracks, or worry about their cars being destroyed in dramatic accidents.
This is evidenced by the rapid rise of the Formula One Esports Series which has delivered incredible entertainment since its inception in 2017 as well as the linkups that the F1 hierarchy has brought about with top online companies like Amazon.
Indeed, many of the world’s best drivers spent much of their formative years and training on simulation machines and consoles, which are now powerful enough to ape the real-world conditions that drivers experience in the cockpit of an F1 car.
It is now entirely possible for avid F1 fans to build their very own super-realistic simulator at home, as long as they know a thing or two about what hardware they will require. Here we break down exactly how F1 fans and wannabe drivers can race virtual F1 GPs from the comfort of their very own gaming room, nestling in the seat of a McLaren or Ferrari.
Many of today’s top young drivers cut their teeth in Esports races and tournaments, many of which are now used by F1’s best teams to scout for new talent
Learning from Other Esports Setups
Of course, long before F1 became a bona fide Esport there were others out there strutting their stuff online, such as Chess, Poker, and League of Legends, all of whose players have long known the virtues of having an ergonomic gaming setup. This means there is lots to learn from such individuals.
The first thing that most experienced Esports players swear by is a comfortable chair, which is suited specifically to their body shape. There is a long running debate about whether specialist gaming chairs or high-quality office chairs are the best at reducing back pain and general discomfort, but the one thing that is for sure is that you should start with the chair and then build your setup out from there.
If you have particularly deep pockets then there are even special home racing simulators with chairs that mimic the interior of a real F1 car, but it is debatable as to whether they deliver true value for money.
Esports drivers are making traditional drivers wary, occasionally beating the latter when they dare to step into the online gaming realm
A Monitor that Gives Full Driver Vision
Next thing on your list of things to get after a comfy chair is a monitor, and for driving games an extra wide one is the order of the day, so you can see that guy trying to nudge up your inside or that pesky steward’s flag.
Some of the best monitors out there for F1 gamers include the 49-inch Asus ROG Strix XG49VQ and the Samsung’s Odyssey G9. Alternately, gamers can use a combination of three screens, to really give themselves that immersive feel.
Controller or Racing Wheel?
If all this sounds like a lot to buy in one go, then there really is nothing wrong with just starting out with a standard controller.
Once that gets old, though, and you want to get your mitts on a wheel, there are plenty out there that incorporate both a wheel and pedals. The best at the minute is probably the Thrustmaster T300 RS, although the Logitech G923 Trueforce is also an excellent option. Just remember that using pedals can be tricky if your gaming chair has wheels, as you could suddenly find yourself sliding back and away from the action.
Consider Sound and Lighting
Two things that many gamers tend not to take into account when they create their setup are sound and lighting. The former is important because you must work out if you wish to use a headset or speakers. If you live with housemates then perhaps a headset is the way to go, otherwise you might have to soundproof the room. Good lighting is vital to prevent eye strain, so ensure you are not always playing in total darkness by adding some well positioned lamps or a skylight.
