For F1 25 in 2026, a direct drive wheelbase with 9 to 12 Nm suits most drivers best. It gives enough detail to feel the lighter 2026 cars and their active aero, without making the steering so heavy that your arms tire after a full race. An 8 Nm base works well as an entry point, while 18 to 28 Nm bases make sense for drivers who train seriously and race long sessions on a very stiff rig.
Below we compare the torque classes, explain what F1 25 asks from a base, and show which rig fits each class.
What does F1 25 ask from a wheelbase?
F1 cars put a lot of force through the steering, so the base needs speed and detail more than raw power.
Most F1 drivers use around 400 degrees of steering angle. With such a small angle, every movement of the rim is short and fast. The base has to react quickly to small changes, like the light moment when the rear slides or the weight return when the wings close for a braking zone. Our F1 25 FFB settings guide explains how to keep that signal clean once you own a base.
How much torque do you need for F1 25?
Torque, measured in Nm, tells you how much force the motor delivers. More torque gives more headroom before the signal clips.
Entry: around 8 Nm
An 8 Nm direct drive base already feels much sharper than a belt or gear driven wheel. You feel kerbs, bumps and the rear stepping out clearly. You run the in game strength higher to get enough weight, so clipping comes sooner in fast braking zones. For a first serious setup, this class gives great value.
The Conspit Ares Apex is a good example of this class, with 8 Nm for PC racers.
CONSPIT ARES APEX Direct Drive Wheelbase – 8Nm (Black, PC)
Sweet spot: 9 to 12 Nm
This is the class most F1 drivers end up in. The base has enough reserve to show the difference between Corner Mode and Straight Mode, and it holds the peaks in braking zones without clipping. The steering still feels light enough for a full race distance. Our comparison of the MOZA R12 V2 and R9 V3 shows how much difference those few extra Nm make on track.
Moza Racing R12 Direct Drive Wheel Base - V2
High torque: 18 to 28 Nm
Bases like the MOZA R21 Ultra, Conspit Ares 20 Platinum or Simagic Alpha EVO Ultra give the most headroom. They never clip in F1 25, even at high in game strength. The trade off is effort. A real F1 car has power steering, so many fast drivers turn the strength down on these bases anyway. Choose this class if you train for long sessions, drive many different sims or want a base that lasts for years.
Conspit ARES 20 Platinum CDR Direct Drive Wheelbase – 20Nm (Black)
Does platform matter for your wheelbase choice?
Yes. F1 25 runs on PC, PS5 and Xbox, but not every base works on every platform.
Many direct drive bases in this list are PC bases. Console drivers need a base and steering wheel that are licensed for their platform. Check the product page before you buy. If you race on a PS5 with MOZA hardware, our MOZA settings guide for the F1 25 2026 cars also covers how to set the base up.
Which rig suits each torque class?
A stronger base needs a stiffer frame, otherwise you pay for torque that only bends metal.
For an 8 to 9 Nm base, the Hobby with its 40 × 40 mm main profile is a stable start. For 9 to 12 Nm, the Club with a 40 × 80 mm main profile gives more reserve. For 18 to 21 Nm, the Sport moves to 40 × 120 mm with integrated cable passthroughs and motion readiness. For the strongest bases, the Pro uses a 40 × 160 mm main profile. You find all four in our sim racing cockpits range, and the cockpits come in bottom, front and side mount variants for the base.
Johan Akkerman, the CEO of SIMGASM, raced at world level in esports and later moved from Fanatec hardware to a Simucube 2 base, so he knows how a strong base behaves on a weak frame. Every SIMGASM product is tested as part of a complete simulator. Johan's own favourite combination is the SIMGASM Sport with a Formula Atlas seat. If you want to understand the numbers in more depth, read our guide on direct drive torque in Nm or browse all direct drive wheel bases.
Questions about wheelbases for F1 25
Here are quick answers to the questions we hear most from F1 25 drivers.
Is 5 Nm enough for F1 25?
Yes, a 5 Nm direct drive base is enough to enjoy F1 25 and feel the 2026 cars. You run the in game strength high, so you reach the limit sooner in fast braking zones.
Is more torque always faster?
No. More torque gives more headroom and detail, but lap time comes from consistency. A 9 to 12 Nm base on a stiff rig is fast enough for most drivers.
Do I need a formula wheel rim for F1 25?
A formula rim looks and feels closer to a real F1 car and puts buttons where you need them. A round rim works too, especially if you also race GT cars.
Which SIMGASM rig suits a 12 Nm base?
The Club suits most 12 Nm bases well. Choose the Sport if you plan to upgrade to a stronger base later.
Want to learn more? The SIMGASM experts are happy to help.
