Netherlands-based Sim-Lab has released a steering wheel designed for racing simulators, which “as closely as possible” copies the steering wheel used by driver Lewis Hamilton in his Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team races. A stunning PC controller is a reminder that over-indulgence in simulators can be a drain on your family’s budget.
Image source: sim-lab.eu
The $2,499 price tag is not the only expense that anyone who wants to buy this simulator wheel will have to pay. It also requires a basic setup that translates steering wheel turns and button presses into in-game commands and provides feedback. This too can cost several thousand dollars and is not included in the kit. The high cost of the Sim-Lab steering wheel is due to the fact that it is officially licensed by the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One team, which provided the manufacturer with drawings of the original steering wheels installed on racing cars.
The device is enclosed in a handmade carbon fiber case – thanks to it, its steering wheel weight is 1240 g with sufficient rigidity. As a result, the player will fully feel the vibrations and resistance produced by the wheelbase. The body contains 9 rotary knobs, 12 buttons, 2 toggle switches, gear shift paddles, antistatic silicone rubber holders and 25 RGB LEDs with telemetry output, which can be read at a glance. And in the center there is a 4.3-inch LCD screen with data output, the layout of which corresponds to the interface for Mercedes F1 team drivers.