What Racing Sim Do F1 Drivers Use? (Explained Clearly)
You’ll often hear the phrase “F1 drivers practice in sims,” but people rarely explain which sims they actually use or why. I’ve spent years watching driver interviews, behind-the-scenes factory footage, and testing many of the same tools they talk about. The truth is: F1 drivers don’t rely on just one sim — they use a mix of professional team simulators and consumer racing sims depending on the goal.
The Two Types of Simulators F1 Drivers Use
- Team Factory Simulator (Real F1 Team Sim)
- Consumer PC Sim Racing Games (What they use at home)
Each serves a different purpose.
1) Factory / Team F1 Simulators (The “Real” Ones)
Every F1 team has their own engineering simulator inside the factory — these are multi-million-dollar machines with full hydraulic platforms, laser-scanned tracks, custom physics, telemetry links, and live engineering staff. These are not available to the public.
Teams build the simulator physics themselves using:
- Real car aerodynamic models
- Brake/tyre temperature data from races
- Wind tunnel and CFD models
- Driver telemetry & feedback
These sims are used to:
- Practice track layouts
- Test setups before race weekends
- Evaluate new car balance
- Compare tire compounds
- Try qualifying vs race fuel loads
Example: Lewis Hamilton has been shown practicing in the Mercedes factory simulator the week before every Grand Prix.
So yes — they use incredibly advanced sims. But at home? They use the same sims we do.
2) The Consumer Sim Racing Games F1 Drivers Use at Home
When they’re away from the team facility, most drivers train with high-end PC sims to sharpen driving rhythm and racecraft.
The three most used sims among real F1 drivers are:
iRacing — For Competitive Online Racing
iRacing is used by many active and former F1 drivers because it has:
- Ranked online racing
- Realistic tire and car dynamics
- Laser-scanned tracks
- Strong competition
Used by: Lando Norris, Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc, Alex Albon, George Russell.
Why they like it: It keeps racecraft sharp — overtaking, defending, race pacing.
Assetto Corsa / Assetto Corsa Competizione — For Feel and Car Control
ACC (GT racing sim) has incredibly detailed tire and suspension models. Original Assetto Corsa is also used heavily because it allows teams/drivers to mod car setups to match real vehicles almost perfectly.
Used by: Leclerc, Verstappen, Vettel, Norris.
Why they like it: Great for pure car control and clean, realistic physics feedback.
F1 22 / F1 23 — For Track Familiarity and Public Events
Despite being more “simcade,” F1 drivers do play the official F1 game — especially for fun, streaming and charity events (Virtual Grand Prix series, for example).
Used by: Leclerc, Norris, Russell, Albon, Schumacher.
Why they use it: Track familiarity & entertainment. It’s not serious physics training.
What Hardware They Use
Most F1 drivers use direct drive wheelbases, metal pedal sets, and rigid aluminum rigs. Common setups include:
- Wheelbases: Simucube 2 Pro, Fanatec DD2, Asetek Invicta
- Pedals: Heusinkveld Ultimate / Sprint, Asetek Forte / Invicta
- Rigs: Sim-Labs P1-X, Trak Racer TR160, or custom aluminum extrusion rigs
- Screens: Triple 27″/34″ or ultrawide curved monitors
Some drivers (like Verstappen and Norris) also use VR occasionally, though not for long endurance sessions.
So Which Sim Should You Use?
| Want competitive races? | → iRacing |
| Want the most realistic GT driving? | → ACC |
| Just want to enjoy F1 cars? | → F1 23 / F1 24 |
If you’re serious about racing technique, start with iRacing or ACC. If you just love Formula 1, use the F1 game first — and expand from there.
Final Word
F1 drivers use ultra-advanced team simulators to train professionally — but at home, they play the same racing sims we do.
That means your sim setup isn’t just entertainment — it’s training built on the same foundations real F1 drivers use to get faster.
And that’s what makes sim racing special.
Don’t forget to check sim racing cockpit for more news, products, reviews, and guides. And more sim racing games.
My name is Michael “Mick” Carter, and I’m a dedicated sim racing enthusiast with a deep love for motorsport. I first discovered sim racing in 2015 when a friend introduced me to a Logitech G27 and Assetto Corsa—an experience that immediately hooked me. Since then, I’ve gone from basic gear to advanced direct drive setups, VR headsets, and custom racing rigs, constantly refining my driving technique and equipment.
I mainly race in iRacing, ACC, and rFactor 2, focusing on GT3 endurance and open-wheel events. I’m not a professional driver—I’m simply someone who enjoys the craft of racing: learning car behavior, improving lap times, and battling for position with respect and skill.
I share what I’ve learned so others can build setups they enjoy and grow their own passion for sim racing. For me, the joy is in improving, one race at a time.