What Racing Sim Do F1 Drivers Use?

Curious what racing sim F1 drivers use in real life and at home? Discover the factory-grade software, pro rigs and consumer games like iRacing, rFactor 2 and F1 24 that Formula 1 stars rely on, and learn how to pick the best sim for your own setup today.

What Racing Sim Do F1 Drivers Use?

If you watch Max Verstappen, Lando Norris or Charles Leclerc racing online, it’s natural to wonder: “What racing sim do F1 drivers actually use?” Is there one “secret” simulator that all of them train on, or is it just marketing?

The honest answer is:

There is no single sim that all F1 drivers use.
They use two worlds of simulators:

1. Factory F1 simulators (multi-million-euro, team-only systems)

2. High-end home setups running games like iRacing, Assetto Corsa, rFactor 2, F1 20xx, Gran Turismo, etc.

Let’s break down both — and show you which of these sims you can use at home.

1. Factory F1 Simulators: What Teams Use Behind Closed Doors

At the team level (Red Bull, Ferrari, Mercedes, McLaren…), F1 drivers spend a lot of time in factory simulators. These are not the same as the games you download from Steam or PlayStation Store.

Custom-built “human-in-the-loop” simulators

• Full-size F1 tubs or cockpits

• Large motion platforms or static rigs with ultra-precise force feedback

• 360° projection or wraparound LED screens

• Proprietary vehicle dynamics models, tyre models and aero maps

• Direct connection to real team data (engine, gearbox, suspension, etc.)

These systems are sometimes called human-in-the-loop simulators because the real driver is part of the test loop, helping engineers validate setup changes, tyres, strategies and even new parts before they ever go on the real car.

rFpro and other professional platforms

Under the hood, many F1 teams use professional simulation software, not consumer games. A key name here is rFpro (originally “rFactor Pro”), a platform created inside an F1 team and later developed into a commercial tool. It’s used by multiple F1 teams and manufacturers to run these advanced simulators.

These pro tools are:

• Focused on vehicle dynamics, not “fun”

• Fed by laser-scanned tracks and detailed aero/tyre data

• Connected to multi-million-euro hardware rigs

So when you ask, “What sim does an F1 team use in the factory?” the answer is:

✅ Custom F1 simulators built around professional software like rFpro, with physics and data far beyond consumer titles.

Those systems are not sold as games to the public — and they are tightly protected intellectual property.

2. Home Setups: What Sims F1 Drivers Use Away from the Factory

When they’re at home, on Twitch, or just relaxing between races, many F1 drivers jump on consumer sims — the same platforms you can buy and drive today.

Let’s look at some of the most well-known examples.

Max Verstappen – Mostly iRacing (Plus rFactor 2 / Endurance Sims)

Max Verstappen is probably the most famous sim racer on the current grid. He races online with Team Redline, one of the strongest sim racing teams in the world.

At home, Verstappen is known to use:

• iRacing – his main platform for competitive online racing (Nürburgring, GT3, endurance, etc.)

• rFactor 2 – especially for big events like the 24 Hours of Le Mans Virtual and other endurance races.

• Other high-end PC racing titles when required for specific events.

His personal rig is extremely high-end: a direct drive wheel, hydraulic pedals, triple screens or VR, and a professional-grade cockpit, with value estimated in the €25,000–€35,000 range.

For training, iRacing is popular because it offers:

• Very strong online competition

• Laser-scanned tracks

• Good safety rating and matchmaking systems

Charles Leclerc – iRacing & Assetto Corsa Competizione

During the 2020 lockdown, Charles Leclerc became famous for his sim racing streams on Twitch. He raced in various online events and even took part in official F1 Virtual Grands Prix on Codemasters’ F1 games.

At home, Leclerc has been reported using:

• iRacing – for online races and practice

• Assetto Corsa Competizione (ACC) – particularly for GT3 racing

• A Next Level Racing cockpit with Fanatec CSL Elite/ClubSport wheel and pedals

He has said that sim racing helps him with racecraft, concentration and staying sharp, even if it can’t fully replace real car feeling.

Lando Norris – iRacing, F1 games & a Custom Cool Performance Rig

Lando Norris is another big sim racing name. He spends a lot of time on sims both for fun and for training, and has a bespoke professional simulator set up at home, only a few minutes from the McLaren factory.

Key points about his setup:

• He uses a custom GT Pro Cool Performance simulator, built in collaboration with the company.

• The rig works with major software such as iRacing, Assetto Corsa, rFactor, and other top PC sims.

• Norris regularly competes online, sometimes streaming, and has said he gets a very similar mental buzz from good sim races as from the real car.

You’ll see Norris on:

• iRacing – for competitive online races

• Various F1 games and specials – especially in promotional or fun events

Lewis Hamilton – Less Sim Obsessed, but Uses High-End Rigs

Lewis Hamilton is a bit different. He has openly said that he historically wasn’t a big fan of sim racing at home and doesn’t spend as many hours grinding online races as Verstappen or Norris. He often points out that sims cannot fully replicate the real F1 car.

However:

• He has used high-end rigs provided by partners like Gran Turismo and Playseat for events and promotional work.

• He’s increasingly involved with esports and virtual racing through his team projects and collaborations.

So while Hamilton may not be “living on iRacing” every evening, he still recognizes the value of simulators for young drivers and fan engagement.

3. So… What Racing Sim Do F1 Drivers Use Most?

Putting it all together:

In the Factory (Team Simulators)

• Professional, closed systems built around tools like rFpro

• Used with real car data for setup work, strategy, tyre modelling, and driver preparation

• Not publicly available as consumer games

At Home (Consumer Sims You Can Buy)

Different drivers favour different titles, but commonly used sims include:

• iRacing – extremely popular with Max Verstappen, Lando Norris and many other pros for competitive online racing and realistic track models

• rFactor 2 – used for major events like the 24 Hours of Le Mans Virtual, where many F1 drivers compete in mixed grids with sim pros Wikipedia+1

• Assetto Corsa & Assetto Corsa Competizione – strong physics, GT focus, widely used by pros for GT practice and fun

• Codemasters F1 Series (F1 2019, F1 2020, etc.) – used for F1 Virtual Grands Prix and many promotional events, featuring the official F1 calendar and cars

• Gran Turismo – especially linked to events and marketing with manufacturers and teams, plus some practice work on PlayStation platforms

There is no single “official F1 driver sim” you must buy. Instead, they pick the sim that best fits:

• The type of racing (F1, GT3, endurance, ovals…)

• The online competition they want

• Sponsorships and event requirements

• Their own personal preference and comfort

4. Which Sim Is “Most Realistic” for F1-Style Driving?

If you’re specifically interested in realistic car physics and F1-style behaviour, the conversation in the sim racing world usually centres on:

• iRacing – world-class online structure, strong physics, great laser-scanned tracks

• rFactor 2 – excellent tyre model and endurance physics, often used for flagship esports events like Le Mans Virtual Le Mans Virtual Series+1

• Assetto Corsa / ACC – very good for GT cars and track feeling, widely trusted by real drivers

Different drivers have different favourites. But the key point is this:

The same platforms many F1 drivers use at home are available to you as a normal sim racer.

You won’t get access to the team’s secret factory simulator, but you can drive on the same iRacing, ACC or rFactor 2 tracks they use for extra practice.

5. What Does This Mean for You?

If you’re choosing a sim and you’re inspired by F1 drivers, here’s a simple way to think about it:

• Want to mirror Max Verstappen and other hardcore pros?
  → Start with iRacing and/or rFactor 2.

• Want a mix of casual fun and serious driving?
  → Try Assetto Corsa / ACC or Gran Turismo (if you’re on PlayStation).

• Want the official F1 calendar and cars?
  → Go for the latest Codemasters F1 game.

Most importantly:

You don’t need a multi-million-euro F1 team simulator to benefit from sim racing.
On a good PC or console with a solid wheel and pedals, the same platforms F1 drivers use at home are already within your reach.

So when someone asks “What racing sim do F1 drivers use?”, the accurate, short answer is:

• At the factory: proprietary F1 simulators built around professional software like rFpro.

• At home: a mix of iRacing, rFactor 2, Assetto Corsa/ACC, Codemasters F1 and Gran Turismo, depending on the driver, event and personal preference.