The Germans at Fanatec have struck again! They made our mouths water with the Fanatec Bentley Wheel and slapped the competition in the face with the Fanatec BMW M4 GT3. But nothing seems to stop the brand now that their latest innovation is here: the Fanatec Ford Puma Hybrid Rally1 Wheel!
For the third time in less than 2 years, Fanatec has broken the boundary between simulation and real racing. And this time, it’s the Ford Puma Hybrid Rally1 Wheel that will be at the wheel for the 2022 WRC season.
Come and discover its characteristics by following this link 🙂
Fanatec partner of M-Sport Ford World Rally Team
The 2022 WRC season promises to be a thrilling one, with the new Rally1 regulations introducing hybrid vehicles. In November 2021, the M-Sport Ford World Rally Team released the first images of the wheel. Behind the wheel, 9-time WRC world champion Sébastien Loeb.
But since then, apart from a press release from Fanatec confirming the news, it’s been all quiet. We don’t know if this wheel will be sold to the general public, nor do we have any information on its specifications. Yet it’s another master stroke from Fanatec! If designing and mass-producing a simulator-compatible racing wheel like the Fanatec BMW M4 GT3 was a technical feat… now we’ve gone one step further!
In the WRC championship, vehicles are subjected to extreme forces. Masses of dust , mud, spectacular suspension and steering damage. The steering wheel developed by Fanatec must therefore be beyond reproach, indestructible!
New data from Fanatec
Last year, Fanatec made real leaps forward towards our goal of mixing real and virtual racing. We wanted 2022 to follow suit. Working with M-Sport to include Fanatec parts in the Ford Puma Hybrid Rally1 for the new WRC season is yet another example of how the boundary between real and virtual racing is becoming ever thinner.
We’re delighted and proud to be part of the new hybrid era of the WRC, and to be able to offer our customers more products that meet the quality standards of the motor racing world. If 9-time world champion Sébastien Loeb thinks our product is vital for his vehicle, then we know we’re on the right track.
Thomas Jackermeier, CEO of Fanatec/Endor
The M-Sport team’s opinion of the collaboration with Fanatec
I remember the first time I had a simulation steering wheel, over fifteen years ago. And I must say that the development of this branch of gaming is very impressive. Now we can use the same steering wheel in our real Ford Puma and in a simulator at home. It’s pretty incredible.
Even though I’m not a big gamer, I keep an eye on what’s going on in the world of simulation. I’m convinced that there are benefits to be gained from bringing simulation into the real world. I’m very excited about working with Fanatec and seeing how we can further improve our product on both real and virtual tracks. The result will be better products for both worlds.
Rich Millener, Team Principal, M-Sport Ford World Rally Team
It’s great to be working with Fanatec in preparation for the 2022 season. It’s really interesting to see them make this leap into “reality”, and they’ve helped us get the most out of the Ford Puma Hybrid Rally1 with their steering wheel control panel. I look forward to working with them again.
Craig Breen, M-Sport Ford World Rally Team driver
So, what do we know?
Well, not much! In fact, it’s all a bit hazy. Did Fanatec develop the entire steering wheel, or is it a control panel like a Universal Hub? We won’t know for sure until Fanatec decides! Let’s face it, communications and marketing is something they’ve mastered to perfection.
In any case, this new collaboration is another step forward for simracing. This discipline, once seen as a simple game by drivers and teams, is truly becoming professionalized.
So, of course, I’ll keep this article up to date as news comes in! See you in the comments to discuss this latest Fanatec victory!
Come and discover its characteristics by following this link 🙂
