Looking at the Fanatec ClubSport Formula V3 feels like looking at an old friend I haven’t seen in a long time. Totally familiar, but at the same time, something I can’t quite pinpoint, is different.
The reality is, Fanatec’s latest formula iteration consists of numerous small improvements across the board, without delivering anything particularly spectacular.
The formula
This is a tried and tested recipe, proven to be exceptionally popular over the span of more than a decade. Each new version (of which there have been many offshoots) brings a subtly fresh look and notable functionality improvements, in line with the developing industry.
If you simply compare today’s V3 offering with the original, there is a clear jump. When comparing V3 to V2, you must dig a little deeper to find innovation.
Noticeable tweaks
There are a couple of more obvious exceptions, the first being the wheel’s width. Up from 270mm to 290mm, bringing the weight (including the pre-installed V2 quick release) to 1350g, V3 feels immediately different to use before you even begin to think about FunkySwitches and rotary encoders.
I always say that width is down to personal preference, and I always quite liked Fanatec’s narrower-than-normal approach. Perhaps the additional 20mm helps with ergonomics or the positioning of buttons and switches, perhaps it’s about leverage or a wider footprint to spread loads…
Regardless, for a formula layout, I personally sway towards the narrower setup of prior designs.
The second clear change is to the screen, with V3 including a noticeably larger 2.7” white OLED display. Still no sexy colour display, sure (although we are told these are in development), but a focus on clarity over style is an understandable compromise.
When driving, your telemetry page of choice is indeed clear, but the bigger display is equally important when it comes to wheelbase settings adjustments. Using a specific sequence of button presses, you can intuitively adjust all of the usual force-feedback preferences found in the Fanatec App, whilst on the move.
To be able to do this from the steering wheel itself, switching between presets and individually tweaking each parameter without leaving the circuit (eyes on the road!) is an increasingly common feature in this day and age, perhaps soon to be a non-negotiable.
For other changes, you must look at each element one by one. As you do so, these subtle tweaks begin to add up.
Little by little
Above the new screen, you will find that the horizontal RGB RevLED strip has nudged ever so slightly higher up the faceplate. Maybe easier to spot in your periphery? Maybe I am clutching at straws…
The two rotary dials facing outwards on either side of the screen are now clickable inwards, unlike before. So, an additional two inputs, but also, the rotaries themselves have increased resistance and fewer gates per rotation.
When I am sim racing, I like dials which require a purposeful input so that I can count my changes as I make them. This is now much more pronounced and easier to follow.
Underneath, you will find what look like the same two thumbsticks. Previously, the one on the left was more of a free-for-all joystick, whilst the right-hand one was what Fanatec call a ‘FunkySwitch’, a more deliberate multi-directional multi-purpose stick.
This time around, both are FunkySwitches, and whilst I appreciate this might come down to preference yet again, I am in favour of this change. The left FunkySwitch feels perfect for menu navigation.
Then, we have the three 12-way switches. This looks the same as before, but now, the central switch acts the same as the other two, rather than as a specific mode adjustment dial. And the regular buttons themselves have also been tweaked, a switch from a convex to a concave style, making them feel more pleasant and satisfying, without necessarily feeling much higher in quality.
A small pouch of 10 spare blue and red convex button caps is included, the limited selection each containing an icon or abbreviation for a specific racing-related input.
You can see how this evolution has been thought through in every department, rather than rewritten from scratch.
The superficial stuff
There is a distinct lack of colour with this wheel. The white OLED display, the lack of any F1 or Xbox branding on this particular debut V3 launch (yes, both an Xbox-compatible edition and bundled Formula 1 edition are under development), and a stealthy and simplified black carbon fibre twill faceplate. Personally, I like it, but maybe I am boring. Does it wow me? No.
Perforated leather grips return from the standard V2.5 Formula wheel, with no Alcantara in sight. Based on prior experience, this should be more durable without the use of gloves, but as someone with stupidly sensitive skin, I don’t find these as comfortable as Alcantara, let alone a moulded rubberised material used by various competitors.
Thankfully, if, like me, you are not completely sold on these grips, they are “user-replaceable”, with Fanatec planning to offer alternative materials and colour options separately at some point in future.
Magnetic paddle shifters return from the V2.5 iteration, and whilst sturdy, do have a relatively heavy actuation. Missing are any clutch paddles on the back of the wheel, which, on a range-topping offering for Formula-style Fanatec sim racing, does feel like a notable omission.
Subtle progress
The ClubSport Formula V3 wheel is bread and butter for Fanatec, and with such a popular product lineage, you can see good reason to play it safe. Clearly, thought has gone into improving a well-trodden formula, but it certainly isn’t the German giant’s most breathtaking release.
As long as you are comfortable with a small width increase, it is objectively a step-up from its predecessors in lots of little ways. At €349.95/$349.95, it still serves as a value-for-money, high-quality formula-style option that isn’t hugely versatile, but is extremely competent in the relevant disciplines.
There is justifiable compromise versus a pricier premium alternative, without anything feeling ‘cheap’. However…
I look at competitors such as MOZA Racing, and see vibrancy, funky shapes and different routes for a consumer to go down depending on preference. Each design has different selling points and flaws, but I see a bit of personality.
So much has changed since Fanatec first introduced the ClubSport Formula series; the bar shifts and differing concepts vie for your attention. In V3, I see a wheel that will likely deliver what you pay for, maybe more. A sensible purchase that I can recommend buying, but I am not necessarily endeared to.
Traxion has affiliate partnerships where we may earn commissions for products or services purchased via affiliate links. These do not influence editorial content. Traxion’s affiliate policy