Driving a Ferrari 150 Italia in a video game just doesn’t feel like driving a Ferrari when you don’t have one of those fancy steering wheels with a cackle of knobs and buttons. Back when I first saw Ferrari’s replica display steering wheel, I knew it would be the perfect design for a steering wheel gaming accessory. And now it becomes one with the Ferrari F1 Wheel Add-On.
Made by Thrustmaster, this isn’t a racing controller all on its own. Instead, you’re supposed to lay it over Thrustmaster’s T500 RS gaming setup for PCs and PS3s. Designed to seamlessly attach to the controller using the company’s Quick Release System, it literally brings the racing realism up a couple striding notches.
The Thrustmaster Ferrari F1 Wheel Add-On is a near-exact replica of the 2011 season steering wheel they use in the 150 Italia, save for the slightly deprecated parts (carbon fiber is too expensive, after all) and the digital readings on the top. It features scratched brushed metal construction and textured rubber grips, along with the full set of controls: 2 encoder rotary knobs, 8 dual detent push buttons, 3 metal switches, 2 high pressure d-pads and 2 up/down “Push & Pull” sequential shifters.
Two game modes will be available with the controller. In “Normal,” you get to fiddle your fingers on 13 action buttons and 3 D-pads. PC gamers, though, get an “Advanced” option that allows access to 25 action buttons and 1 D-pad control.
Arriving early October, the Thrustmaster Ferrari F1 Wheel Add-On will retail for $199.99.