Featured Image: Fanatec Podium Pedals
Fanatec has announced two new premium pedal sets – “Podium Pedals” and “Podium Pedals Formula” – scheduled for Q1 2026 release. After the company’s turbulent 2024 and subsequent acquisition by Corsair, this represents Fanatec’s first major product launch under new ownership, positioning them squarely against established premium pedal manufacturers.
What Fanatec’s Announced
The standard Podium Pedals are a 3-pedal package featuring CNC-machined aluminium construction throughout. The brake pedal uses a custom load cell sensor rated above 200 kg, calibrated for 150 kg at the pedal plate – a significant step up from Fanatec’s ClubSport V3 range which maxes out at 90 kg. Fanatec’s claiming this uses a “patented elastomer compression control system” with tool-free travel and resistance adjustment, plus the option to swap to linear springs for a softer feel.
The throttle and clutch both use custom Hall sensors that Fanatec states are “precision-calibrated at factory” – which is marketing speak for “they’re set up properly before shipping.” The clutch includes Fanatec’s patented bite point slider, letting you adjust where the resistance peak occurs. Both pedal sets use industrial-grade ball bearings throughout, which should handle the forces without developing play over time.
The Formula variant drops the clutch and adds formula-style carbon fibre heel rests and pedal plates. It’s essentially the same mechanical package but configured for open-wheel racing where you’re not using a clutch pedal for anything beyond launch control.
Where This Sits in the Market
Fanatec’s current top-end offering, the ClubSport Pedals V3 Inverted, sits at $449.99 (£429.99) with a 90 kg load cell. The new Podium Pedals represent a clear step above this – we’re talking about 67% more brake force capacity and completely different construction methods with forged and CNC-machined components versus the V3’s cast and machined approach.
Current Premium Pedal Market
For context, here’s what else competes in the £450-£1500 range:
The interesting comparison is with Heusinkveld’s offerings. The Heusinkveld Sprint sits around £999 with a 100 kg load cell and has been the de facto standard for serious sim racers who want that next step above consumer-grade pedals. Fanatec’s 150 kg brake puts the Podium Pedals closer to Heusinkveld’s Ultimate+ territory (200 kg load cell, £1299) in terms of raw force capacity, though construction methodology and adjustability details will determine whether it actually delivers comparable feel.
The Software Integration Angle
One detail that actually matters: Fanatec’s stating these pedals support adjustable curves and dead zones via the Fanatec App, with settings saved to internal memory. This means custom curves work on consoles too, which addresses a genuine limitation of some premium pedal sets that require PC software for configuration.
You’ll be able to select curves from the Tuning Menu – Fanatec mentions both presets and custom slots. Whether this is actually useful depends entirely on the quality of their curve editor and how intuitive it is to get the response you want. SimHub already does this brilliantly for pedals that support it, so Fanatec’s implementation needs to be at least as good.
The Pricing Question Nobody’s Answering
Fanatec hasn’t announced pricing yet, which is either strategic or they’re still working it out. Given the ClubSport V3 Inverted at $449.99 and the spec sheet positioning these above it, I’d expect somewhere between £700-£1000 for the standard set. That puts them in direct competition with the established players rather than trying to undercut on price.
The Formula set will likely carry a premium despite having one fewer pedal – carbon fibre contact surfaces and the niche appeal of formula-specific pedals typically command extra. Whether that’s justified depends on your perspective and what you’re racing.
Current Fanatec Pedal Lineup
For reference, here’s Fanatec’s existing range:
Timing and Context
Q1 2026 gives Fanatec approximately six months to finalise production and sort out any teething issues. After Corsair’s acquisition in September 2024 following Endor AG’s insolvency, this launch represents the new ownership’s first major statement about product direction. The timing suggests these were likely already in development before the ownership change, but Corsair’s clearly committed to seeing them through.
The market’s shifted considerably since Fanatec last launched premium pedals. Simucube’s ActivePedal range has established active pedals as the new top tier (110-170 kg with dynamic force feedback, £1800-£2400), whilst Moza’s been steadily expanding upmarket with their own premium offerings. Fanatec needed a credible answer to the £800-£1200 segment, and these Podium Pedals appear to be exactly that.
What We Don’t Know Yet
The announcement raises more questions than it answers. Pricing is the obvious one, but there’s also compatibility – will these work standalone via USB, or do they require a Fanatec wheelbase? The wording suggests USB connectivity, but Fanatec’s ecosystem has historically tied components together.
The “patented elastomer compression control system” needs proper scrutiny once review units arrive. Patents don’t automatically mean better – they just mean different. The proof will be in how the brake feels across the full travel range and whether the tool-free adjustments actually deliver meaningful changes or just marketing checkboxes.
Optional pedal plates are mentioned as sold separately with “standard Fanatec pedal mounting pattern” – which suggests aftermarket upgrade paths but also means additional cost for anyone wanting to customise.
The Bottom Line
Fanatec’s clearly aiming to re-establish credibility in the premium segment after a year of financial uncertainty. The specifications on paper suggest they’re taking this seriously – 150 kg brake calibration, forged aluminium construction, and custom sensors are all tangible improvements over their existing range.
Whether these Podium Pedals deliver on that promise depends entirely on execution. CNC-machined parts and 200+ kg load cells are meaningless if the mechanical design introduces flex or the elastomer stack doesn’t provide progressive resistance. We’ll know more when review units start appearing in Q1 2026.
For now, it’s encouraging to see Fanatec pushing upmarket with genuinely premium specifications rather than just rebranding existing products. The sim racing pedal market needed more competition at the £800-£1200 level, and if these deliver what the spec sheet promises, they’ll make Heusinkveld and the established players work harder for their market share.
Availability: Q1 2026 (January-March 2026)
Pricing: Not yet announced
More Information: Fanatec Official Website
Related Articles
Sim-Lab Announces DDX TorqueSync Wheelbases – 350V Architecture and 100kHz Control
Fanatec Announces Podium Pedals – 150kg Load Cell for Q1 2026
Sim-Lab Partners with Cosworth to Bring CCW Mk3 Wheel to Sim Racing
Pimax Offers VR Trade-In Discounts for Sim Racers
Pimax Crystal Super Offers Free Prescription Lenses for VR Sim Racers
Engineer Builds Direct Drive Sim Setup for Under £100 with 3D Printed and Hoverboard Parts
I’m a sim racer and amateur racer with a passion for Motorsport, good racecraft and the technical and setup aspect of sim racing.