Charles Leclerc never eased into sim racing—he installed two full rigs in his apartment, grabbed his Fanatec Podium DD2, and started streaming before most of F1 had even downloaded the game. The hardware is serious, the training intent is real, and the streams are pure chaos. This profile walks through his dual-rig setup, the Fanatec core, how he trains, and the infamous Twitch moments that turned him into a virtual GP star.
Hub: Jump to the full cluster: Complete F1 Driver Sim Racing Setups (2025).
Two rigs, one obsession
| Rig | Purpose | Core pieces |
|---|---|---|
| Ferrari-red Playseat F1 | Single-seater training and Virtual GPs | Playseat F1 Ultimate, Fanatec Podium DD2, Fanatec ClubSport Formula V2.5X |
| Playseat Sensation Pro | Rally, drifting, GT fun runs | Playseat Sensation Pro, same wheelbase and pedals, plus shifter/handbrake |
Both rigs share a 49-inch Samsung ultrawide (think Odyssey Neo G9) wrapped tight for a cockpit-like field of view. For big races like the Virtual 24h Le Mans, he scales up to triples plus a fourth monitor for telemetry—Mission Control in his living room.
The Fanatec core
- Wheelbase: Fanatec Podium DD2 for industrial-grade torque and detail.
- Rims: Fanatec ClubSport Formula V2.5X for F1 titles; he swaps to larger rims for rally or drifting.
- Pedals: Fanatec ClubSport V3 load-cell pedals—he often drives in socks for finer brake feel.
- Shifter & handbrake: Fanatec ClubSport Shifter SQ v1.5 plus the ClubSport Handbrake for sideways rally runs.
It is a high-end but relatable stack—no factory-only parts, just gear many sim racers already use or aspire to.
Supporting cast
- Cockpit comfort: The Playseat bases stay stiff even under 20+ Nm, and the seating matches his real F1 ergonomics closely enough that muscle memory carries over.
- Audio & comms: Logitech G Pro X headset keeps voice chat clear; speakers come out for casual Fortnite nights.
- Streaming controls: An Elgato Stream Deck MK.2 handles scene switches and chat macros mid-race.
- PC: A custom, high-end tower drives triples and telemetry without dropping frames during rFactor 2 or ACC marathons.
What he actually plays
- EA Sports F1: His main arena during the Virtual GP series—he learned the 2019 title in days and started winning within a week.
- rFactor 2: Platform of choice for the Virtual 24h Le Mans; he ran with Giovinazzi and Ferrari esports drivers until a pit-lane glitch flipped their car.
- Assetto Corsa Competizione: GT training and sweaty endurance stints.
- Rally sims (DiRT/WRC): Justifies the handbrake and drifting rig.
- iRacing: Learns live on stream, taking on ovals and road in front of thousands.
- Fortnite: When he wants to be a banana instead of a Ferrari driver.
Training tool and mental load
Sim racing began as lockdown practice but morphed into a real training loop. With no G-forces or fear of injury, every cue is visual and timing-based—Leclerc has said the mental fatigue can be tougher than real life. Before his Virtual GP debut he grinded five-hour days, studied setups with esports pros, and treated each session like FP1. Sweat equity, not shortcuts.
Twitch-era chaos: the banana and the lockout
- The lockout: Wearing noise-cancelling headphones mid-race, he missed his girlfriend locked outside. She bought a Twitch sub just to type “CHARLES OPEN THE DOOR.” He noticed 25 minutes later; Reuters picked up the story.
- The banana suit: A fan mailed a costume; he threw it on mid-stream, declared he had never looked better, and the clip still circulates.
The mix of elite pace and self-deprecating humor made his channel an instant favorite.
Virtual wins and near-misses
- Virtual Vietnam & China GPs: Back-to-back wins as soon as he joined the grid.
- Race for the World charity series: Champion, raising $70k for COVID-19 relief.
- Virtual 24h Le Mans: Survived gnarly technical issues, finished with a smile, and said it made him want the real race even more.
What you can copy from Leclerc
- Dual-purpose setups: One rig for focused training, one for experimentation; or one cockpit with two seating positions if space is tight.
- Invest in pedals first: The ClubSport V3 load cell is proof you can be fast without hydraulic pedals.
- Screen real estate: An ultrawide (or triples plus a telemetry screen) reduces head movement and keeps deltas visible.
- Routine over hype: Structured sessions, energy management, and post-race review matter more than chasing 30 Nm.
Charles Leclerc’s sim world is the perfect blend of pro intent and playful chaos: direct-drive torque, purpose-built cockpits, and the confidence to race in socks—or a banana suit. Copy the workflow, add a second monitor for telemetry, and you are closer to his lap times than you think.