Fanatec launched the Podium Pedals Formula on 25 June 2026. The two-pedal set combines a throttle and high-load brake with Formula-style carbon-fibre heel cups and carbon-fibre pedal plates.
For cockpit buyers, the most important specification is not the carbon fibre. It is the brake load and the structure that has to support it.
Fanatec calibrates the brake for up to 150 kg of force at the pedal plate. The custom load-cell sensor itself is rated above 200 kg. These are two different figures: 150 kg describes the pedal-plate calibration, while the higher number is the sensor rating. Neither figure means every driver should configure the brake so that reaching 100% input requires maximum force.
SIMGASM has physically tested the Podium Pedals Formula on the pedal trays of the Hobby, Club, Sport and Pro cockpits. They fit and work on all four. We also tested the pedal platform in a Formula seating position, with the pedal bracket installed higher on the uprights and combined with an Atlas Formula seat.
The practical recommendation is straightforward. Sport is sufficient for a serious high-load Formula setup. Pro is the higher-spec choice when you want more adjustment, more add-ons or more room to expand. For Formula seating or motion, SIMGASM recommends Sport or Pro.
What does Fanatec's 150 kg brake specification mean?
The brake is calibrated for up to 150 kg at the pedal plate. Its internal load-cell sensor is rated above 200 kg. Do not combine those numbers or interpret them as a normal force target for every driver.
Your useful brake setting depends on your strength, seat support, driving position and preferred pedal feel. A Formula driver may prefer short travel and a firm response. Another driver may be faster and more consistent with a softer, more progressive setup.
Fanatec supplies elastomers and linear springs that allow different resistance characteristics. Travel and resistance can be adjusted without tools. Brake curves and dead zones can also be configured in the Fanatec App and stored in the pedals' internal memory.
Start with a force you can repeat accurately for an entire stint. Maximum force only helps when your posture and cockpit let you produce it without moving in the seat or compensating with your back and shoulders. Our separate guide explains how to calibrate load-cell brake force and pedal travel.
How can the Podium Pedals Formula be mounted?
Fanatec supports two main installation routes.
Each pedal module can be hard-mounted individually to a solid metal pedal deck or directly to aluminium-profile slots with suitable M6 T-nuts. Individual mounting gives you freedom to set the spacing between the throttle and brake around your feet and preferred driving position.
Fanatec also sells an optional Podium Pedals Mounting Plate. It provides lateral adjustment through integrated T-slots, a location for the connection box and the standard Fanatec pedal mounting pattern.
The official plate is not automatically required. Fanatec states that users with a strong cockpit and suitable metal pedal tray can install the individual modules directly. The correct choice therefore depends on the available mounting holes, the desired lateral adjustment and how you want to route the connection-box cables.
Whichever route you choose, the pedal modules must be attached to a solid metallic structure. Cables should remain free from pinching, sharp bends and tension throughout the pedal travel.
What did SIMGASM test?
SIMGASM physically checked the Fanatec Podium Pedals Formula on the pedal trays used across the current cockpit range. The pedals fit and function on Hobby, Club, Sport and Pro.
During our internal load check, the pedal-tray combination was tested at Fanatec's stated maximum 150 kg pedal-plate calibration. We also tested the pedal platform in a Formula configuration. For that test, the pedal bracket was mounted higher on the uprights and used together with an Atlas Formula seat.
The raised position matters because Formula seating changes the entire load path. Your hips sit lower, your legs extend farther forwards and your braking force enters the cockpit structure from a different angle. The pedal plate, bracket, uprights, seat and driver must work together as one system.
These are SIMGASM fit and load checks for the described configurations. They should not be treated as certification for third-party brackets, modified installations or untested combinations.
Is the SIMGASM Sport sufficient?
Yes. The SIMGASM Sport is sufficient for the Podium Pedals Formula, including the tested high-load configuration.
Sport is our recommended starting point for most dedicated Formula builds. Its thicker pedal tray and base profiles provide a strong foundation, while the more adjustable wheel mount and longer accessory arm leave room for an advanced simulator to grow.
Sport also includes cable slots, which help keep the pedal connection box and other wiring organised. This becomes increasingly useful once a setup includes a strong wheelbase, button boxes, shifters, handbrakes or additional controls.
Choose Sport when:
- You want a dedicated Formula or mixed GT/Formula seating position.
- You intend to use a firm brake calibration.
- You want a stable platform for stronger wheelbases and advanced pedals.
- You are building a focused motion setup.
- You want a capable long-term cockpit without moving to the flagship model.
For most buyers pairing these pedals with a dedicated simulator, the Sport cockpit collection for high-force Formula setups is the most balanced starting point.
When is the SIMGASM Pro the better choice?
Pro is the higher-spec platform and gives you more adjustment and expansion capacity than Sport. It is the better choice when the pedals are one part of a larger or more demanding simulator.
Choose Pro when:
- You want the widest available adjustment range.
- You plan an extensive motion installation.
- You expect to add many controls or heavy peripherals.
- You regularly change between Formula, GT or other seating positions.
- You are building a combined racing and flight simulator with confirmed mounts.
- Maximum long-term upgrade capacity matters more than the lower price of Sport.
The pedals do not require Pro simply because Fanatec specifies a 150 kg brake calibration. Sport remains sufficient. Pro is the premium recommendation for users who want the greatest headroom around the pedals and the rest of the simulator.
Sport or Pro: the practical decision
| Question | Sport | Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Tested with Podium Pedals Formula | Yes | Yes |
| Suitable for the tested Formula pedal position | Yes | Yes |
| Recommended starting point for motion | Yes | Yes, with more expansion capacity |
| Best for a focused Formula setup | Usually | Capable, but more than many users need |
| Maximum add-ons and adjustment | Strong capability | Best choice |
| Best balance of capability and price | Yes | Choose for maximum headroom |
Do not select a cockpit using only the largest number printed in the pedal specifications. Consider the complete load path: pedal plate, bracket, cockpit, seat and driver.
A stable seat gives your body something consistent to push against. Correct pedal height helps you brake without unnecessary strain on your ankles, knees or lower back. Correct calibration lets you reach the same input on every lap instead of chasing the highest possible force.
If you are still choosing between the complete SIMGASM range, you can compare cockpit tiers for your pedal and hardware setup.
Installation checklist
Before driving:
- Hard-mount each pedal module or the official mounting plate to a solid metal surface.
- Confirm that every fastener is tightened correctly.
- Check that no module cable is trapped beneath a pedal or bracket.
- Support the connection-box cables without placing them under tension.
- Set the seat and pedal position before calibrating maximum brake force.
- Begin with a manageable force and increase it gradually.
- Recheck the pedal bracket and seat mounting after the first sessions.
A good installation should feel repeatable. The pedal tray, seat and your body should return to the same position whenever you brake.
Final recommendation
The Fanatec Podium Pedals Formula fit and work on every current SIMGASM cockpit pedal tray, based on our internal fit and load testing.
For a conventional upright position, Hobby or Club may still be appropriate depending on the complete hardware package and how often you drive. For Formula seating or motion, our recommendation starts with Sport or Pro.
Sport is sufficient for these pedals and will be the right choice for most dedicated Formula builds. Pro is the better long-term platform when you want maximum adjustment, extensive add-ons, motion or a multipurpose simulator.
For the most balanced starting point, explore the SIMGASM Sport sim-racing cockpit collection.
Frequently asked questions
Do the Fanatec Podium Pedals Formula fit every SIMGASM cockpit?
Yes. SIMGASM tested the pedals on the pedal trays used across Hobby, Club, Sport and Pro. They fit and function on all four. Sport or Pro remains our recommendation for Formula seating positions and motion builds.
Is the SIMGASM Sport strong enough for the 150 kg brake calibration?
Yes. SIMGASM tested the pedal-tray combination at Fanatec's stated maximum 150 kg pedal-plate calibration. Sport is sufficient and is the most balanced recommendation for most dedicated Formula setups.
Do I need the official Fanatec mounting plate?
Not necessarily. Fanatec permits the individual modules to be hard-mounted to a solid metal pedal deck or aluminium-profile slots. The optional mounting plate adds lateral adjustment, connection-box mounting and the standard Fanatec pedal pattern.
Does the load cell rating mean I need to press with more than 200 kg?
No. Fanatec calibrates the brake for up to 150 kg at the pedal plate, while the sensor itself is rated above 200 kg. Set your actual maximum input around your strength, posture and preferred pedal feel.
Should I choose Sport or Pro for a motion simulator?
Both are recommended starting points for motion or Formula seating. Choose Sport for a focused, capable build. Choose Pro when you want more adjustment, more add-ons or greater long-term expansion capacity.
Sources
- Fanatec Pedals FAQ: specifications and launch information
- Fanatec Podium Pedals Formula guide and mounting instructions
- Fanatec mounting plate explanation
Author bio
SIMGASM B.V. develops modular sim-racing cockpits and accessories around practical fit, load and configuration testing. This article includes SIMGASM's internal tests of the Fanatec Podium Pedals Formula across its cockpit pedal trays and in a raised Formula pedal position.
