What it is
The ClubSport Formula V2.5 is Fanatec’s mid-range open-wheel rim. 270mm, $400, with a 5mm carbon fibre faceplate that is structural, not decorative. Behind it: an injection-moulded plastic housing with perforated leather grips. You get 11 buttons, 2 rotary encoders, 1 thumb encoder, 1 toggle switch, and a twelve-way multi-position switch. That adds up to 67 function mappings. There is an OLED display, 9 multi-colour RevLEDs, and flag LEDs.
The shifter paddles are CNC aluminium with magnetic actuation. QR2 quick release. And the big one: it works on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox. All three.
Who it’s for
Cross-platform sim racers. Full stop. The V2.5 is one of very few wheels that officially supports PC, PlayStation, and Xbox on a single rim. If you race on multiple platforms, or share a rig with someone who does, the shortlist is extremely small and this wheel is on it.
Beyond compatibility, it suits anyone driving open-wheel content (F1 games, iRacing formula cars, rFactor 2) who wants proper controls without spending Podium money. The 270mm diameter feels right for formula driving. Not too wide, not cramped.
In use
The carbon fibre faceplate gives the whole rim a rigidity that cheaper formula wheels lack. Pick it up and you can feel the difference. The perforated leather grips are comfortable over long sessions, though they will wear faster than alcantara.
RevLEDs are bright enough to be useful in peripheral vision. The OLED handles basic telemetry. The twelve-way multi-position switch is surprisingly handy for cycling through pages or presets without hunting for a button.
One notable absence: dual clutch. The standard paddles are shift-only. You need the Podium Advanced Paddle Module (APM) for analogue clutch paddles, and that is a separate purchase at roughly $100. Worth knowing before you budget.
Magnetic shifters feel excellent. Short throw, precise. No complaints.
What to watch out for
The APM upgrade path. If you need dual clutch for standing starts in formula cars, the V2.5 at $400 becomes effectively $500. Factor that in from the start.
The injection-moulded plastic housing is the weak link aesthetically. It does the job structurally but feels at odds with the carbon fibre and aluminium elsewhere. The leather grips look good new but show wear within months of regular use.
Same ecosystem lock-in caveat as every Fanatec rim. QR2, proprietary connector, no mixing with other brands.
Verdict
The tri-platform compatibility alone makes the V2.5 hard to ignore. Add genuine carbon fibre, 67 mappable functions, and solid build quality, and you have a formula wheel that justifies $400 for most sim racers. Just budget for the APM if dual clutch matters to you, and accept that the plastic housing is where Fanatec saved their margin.