If you’ve always dreamed of being in an F1 car but your ride tops out at 60 mph (97 km/h), the Playseat Formula Instinct F1 Edition Racing Simulator is your ticket to the fast lane—minus the pit crew. This officially licensed F1 product transforms your living room into the Monaco Grand Prix—or any of the 24 circuits, minus the champagne spray (if you win). In other words, there’s no glitz and glamor which is perfect for the introvert racer in you.
The seat’s Modufoam padding cradles you in comfort while you sit in the authentic F1 racing position, making sure your lower back and shoulders are supported, even if your skills aren’t quite pro-level. The X-Adapt quick-release system holds your steering wheel firmly in place, meaning no mid-race wobbles when you’re cutting tight corners. And the pedal mounting? It’s so adjustable you’ll wonder if you’ve got an invisible pit crew helping you out. You can set the angle, height, and length just how you like it, and then lock it all down for race-day precision.
The best part? It’s compatible with basically everything—steering wheels, pedals, consoles like PlayStation and Xbox, and even your PC. Plus, when you’re not pretending to be Charles Leclerc, it folds up neatly and weighs just 23 kg (51 lbs), so you can stow it away easily.
At US$599, it’s not cheap, but for the ultimate F1 simulation experience, the Playseat Formula Instinct F1 Edition is worth every penny, IMHO. You might not win a trophy, but at least you’ll look and feel like a champion. Oh, electronics are not included, and hence why we say it ain’t cheap. But I think it will put a smile on every F1 fan’s face every time they lay eyes on it.
Images: Playseat.