🏠 Home Rig (Spain)
| Component | Model / Spec | Metric | Est. Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase | Leo Bodnar SimSteering 2 FFB | 26Nm | ~£4,000 |
| Steering Wheel | CP-S Custom Carbon Fibre Formula | Carbon | ~£2,000 |
| Pedals | CP-S Hydraulic (AP Racing) | 200kg Brake | ~£3,500 |
| Cockpit | Cool Performance Formula Pro | 120kg+ Frame | ~£15,000 |
| Seat | Custom Fiberglass/Leather Formula Seat | F1 Position | ~£1,500 |
| Monitors | Triple Samsung Odyssey G7 27" | 240Hz, 1ms | ~£1,800 |
| PC | Intel Core i9 + NVIDIA RTX (Water Cooled) | Custom | ~£2,500 |
| Headset | Logitech G935 Wireless | 7.1 Surround | ~£150 |
| Home Rig Total | ~£30,600 | ||
🕹️ Home Rig – Core Driving Controls
[Wheelbase] Leo Bodnar SimSteering 2 FFB ~26Nm VerifiedHome
Industrial-grade direct drive system delivering 26Nm of peak torque. The same wheelbase used by Max Verstappen (home rig) and Lando Norris. Known for its raw, unfiltered force feedback that exposes every detail of the simulation's physics without artificial smoothing.
[Steering Wheel] CP-S Custom Carbon Fibre Formula Wheel VerifiedFormula
Bespoke carbon fibre steering wheel designed in-house by Cool Performance. Features F1-style button layout with magnetic paddle shifters, rotary encoders for in-sim adjustments, and an integrated display for telemetry data. The lightweight construction minimizes rotational inertia for maximum FFB detail transmission.
[Pedals] CP-S Hydraulic Pedals with AP Racing Master Cylinders VerifiedHome
These are genuine racing-spec hydraulic pedals using AP Racing master cylinders — the same components found in real F1 and GT brake systems. Unlike load cell pedals that simulate pressure, these use actual hydraulic fluid to create authentic brake feel. The electronically adjustable positioning allows 300mm of travel customization with configurable brake curves via a simulated caliper system.
[Cockpit] Cool Performance Formula Pro VerifiedHome
The Cool Performance Formula Pro is manufactured at Quaife Engineering in Kent, UK. The frame is CNC-machined powder-coated aluminium weighing over 120kg, engineered to ISO 9001 standards for zero flex during high-force feedback scenarios. This is the same simulator platform used by factory F1 teams for driver training.
[Display] Triple Samsung Odyssey G7 27" 240Hz VerifiedHome
Triple 27-inch curved monitors in 1440p resolution running at 240Hz with 1ms response time. The curved panels reduce eye strain during extended sessions while providing approximately 160° of horizontal field of view — matching real F1 cockpit visibility standards.
[Motion] None Confirmed — Static Setup EstimatedStatic
Like Max Verstappen, Sainz appears to use a static rig — possibly augmented with tactile feedback via bass shakers. Motion platforms introduce millisecond delays between physics calculations and physical movement, which can create cognitive dissonance for drivers accustomed to real-car response times. A rigid chassis ensures Force Feedback from the steering wheel remains the primary and instantaneous source of grip information.
[Headset] Logitech G935 Wireless EstimatedHome
Wireless gaming headset with 7.1 surround sound for spatial audio cues. The wireless design allows freedom of movement during longer sessions without cable management concerns.
🏭 Factory Simulator (Williams DIL)
| Period | Team | Facility | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021–2024 | Scuderia Ferrari | Driver-in-Loop Simulator, Maranello | Full-motion professional sim |
| 2025–Present | Williams Racing | DIL Simulator, Grove UK | Modified F1 monocoque, laser-scanned circuits |
[Factory] Williams DIL Simulator at Grove VerifiedCurrent
The Williams Driver-in-Loop simulator at Grove uses a modified F1 monocoque with laser-scanned circuits and high-fidelity feedback systems. Sainz has credited this professional simulator for tangible race performance improvements.
"I had some ideas in the simulator that I wanted to test, the team came up with other ideas, we put them all together."— Carlos Sainz on his 2025 Qatar GP performance
📋 Full Hardware List
| Component | Model / Specification | Est. Cost | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase | Leo Bodnar SimSteering 2 FFB (26Nm) | ~£4,000 | Verified |
| Steering Wheel | CP-S Custom Carbon Fibre Formula | ~£2,000 | Verified |
| Pedals | CP-S Hydraulic (AP Racing, 200kg) | ~£3,500 | Verified |
| Cockpit | Cool Performance Formula Pro | ~£15,000 | Verified |
| Seat | Custom Fiberglass/Leather Formula Seat | ~£1,500 | Verified |
| Display | Triple Samsung Odyssey G7 27" 240Hz | ~£1,800 | Verified |
| PC | Intel Core i9 + NVIDIA RTX GPU (Water Cooled) | ~£2,500 | Estimated |
| Headset | Logitech G935 Wireless | ~£150 | Estimated |
| Motion | None confirmed (static + possible tactile) | — | Estimated |
| Shifter/Handbrake | Not documented | — | Unknown |
Total estimated value: ~£30,600+ (personal purchase, not sponsored).
🎮 Esports Involvement: Notably Minimal
One of the Least Active Sim Racers Among F1 Front-Runners
Unlike Verstappen, Norris, or Leclerc, Sainz participates in virtually no competitive sim racing events. No streaming, no esports team, no Virtual Le Mans.
| Activity | Status | Details |
|---|---|---|
| iRacing Account | Exists but inactive | No public profile; "much more difficult to see than Verstappen or Norris" |
| Virtual Le Mans | Never competed | Despite the event featuring multiple F1 drivers since 2020 |
| F1 Virtual Grand Prix (2020) | 1–2 appearances | China VGP: P10 after spin + corner-cutting penalty |
| Gran Turismo Sport | Charity races | GP Marca event with Spanish drivers (2020) |
| Esports Team Affiliation | None | No Team Redline equivalent |
| Streaming (Twitch/YouTube) | None | No personal channels |
Games/simulators confirmed: iRacing, rFactor 2, F1 2019/2020, Gran Turismo Sport. No ACC or Gran Turismo 7 participation documented.
💭 Philosophy: Outdoor Activities Trump Virtual Laps
Sainz has consistently expressed skepticism about home sim racing's competitive value, positioning himself as an outlier among elite drivers. His philosophy: factory simulators and real-world driving provide meaningful benefits — home rigs are primarily for entertainment.
"I do plenty of simulator at the factory but the rest I try to spend a lot of time outdoors. I'm an outdoors guy and I enjoy a lot driving real cars, like rally cars. If they would benefit from it, then Lando would be quicker in the simulator in McLaren than me. But he's not. So I don't think they benefit from it."— Carlos Sainz (August 2019)
"They use it for entertainment. Max and Lando know all kinds of tricks. I sometimes drive a few laps in the simulator, but before you know those tricks, you're a long way away."— Carlos Sainz on Verstappen and Norris's sim expertise
"I haven't seen anything from Lando that I haven't seen from Lewis. That doesn't explain time in a simulator. Lewis is a good example of... he just comes here and drives and then the rest of his life he does something completely different, and he's as good as Lando or Max or even better."— Carlos Sainz citing Hamilton as a counterexample
"It feels very little—ridiculously little—the amount of time that we get into our cars before going to a race... [Simulators] aren't as good as engineers believe. [Spending on simulation] could not replace the experience gained from actual track time."— Carlos Sainz (March 2025) calling for more F1 track testing
"Cool Performance provided a formula simulator to me and by using this I have been able to iron out some weaknesses I had within my driving, it's also helped me understand through the use of telemetry where I can improve my overall race pace."— Carlos Sainz (Cool Performance testimonial — a more measured view)
📊 The Verstappen Comparison
Max Verstappen
- iRating 8,754+ (Top 0.5%)
- Team Redline co-owner
- Wins Bathurst 12H, Nürburgring 24H
- Races during F1 weekends
- Philosophy: "90-95% there"
Carlos Sainz
- iRacing inactive
- No esports team
- Never competed in Virtual Le Mans
- Prefers outdoor activities
- Philosophy: "They use it for entertainment"
📦 Setup Evolution & The Norris Connection
The origin of Sainz's home simulator traces directly to his McLaren teammate. In late 2019, Sainz spoke with Norris about sim racing and decided to invest in matching equipment.
"I wanted the same setup as Lando. We are teammates, and we drive the same car—I want the same setup with the simulator, so we can compete with each other on equal terms."— Carlos Sainz (late 2019)
The installation was documented in a Motorsport.com feature, with journalist Jack Benyon visiting Sainz's home as the equipment arrived. Sainz reportedly traded pizza for Norris's help with configuration details.
| Year | Event | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Late 2019 | Initial Installation | Cool Performance Formula Pro delivered to Spain during McLaren tenure |
| 2020 | COVID Lockdown | 1-2 F1 Virtual GP appearances; Gran Turismo charity races |
| 2021–2024 | Ferrari Years | Cool Performance provided ongoing support across team transitions |
| 2025 | Williams | Rig remains "a consistent and adaptable training platform" |
Hardware Updates: Whether Sainz has upgraded components since the 2019 installation is unconfirmed. Cool Performance regularly updates their standard specifications — current Formula Pro builds ship with RTX 5070/5080 GPUs — but Sainz's specific hardware revision history is not publicly documented.
🤝 Partnerships & Sponsorships
| Partnership | Type | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Cool Performance | Personal Purchase (Not Sponsored) | "F1 drivers consistently select Cool Performance not due to sponsorships or marketing arrangements, but because of the proven success of its simulators." |
| Gran Turismo / PlayStation | Ambassador (Spain) | Since 2017. Game cover with Hamilton. Handling feedback during development. |
| EA Sports F1 Games | PlayStation Spain Marketing | Promotional appearances for annual releases |
| Williams / Playseat | Team Partnership | Official supplier for Williams esports lounge (not personal endorsement) |
💰 Cost to Copy Carlos's Setup
Carlos's Cool Performance Rig
💡 Budget Alternative (Similar Feel)
Gets you 80% of the performance at 20% of the price. Heusinkveld load cells replace true hydraulics.
❓ Carlos Sainz Setup FAQ
What sim racing setup does Carlos Sainz use?
• Wheelbase: Leo Bodnar SimSteering 2 FFB (26Nm)
• Pedals: CP-S Hydraulic with AP Racing master cylinders (200kg brake)
• Wheel: CP-S Custom Carbon Fibre Formula wheel
• Display: Triple Samsung Odyssey G7 27" (240Hz, 1440p)
• Cockpit: CNC-machined aluminium frame (120kg+, ISO 9001 certified)
Total estimated cost: ~£30,600 (personal purchase, not sponsored).
Does Carlos Sainz use a Simucube wheelbase? (MYTH)
Several sim racing blogs (including BoxThisLap) incorrectly list a "Simucube 2 Ultimate" as Sainz's wheelbase. Cool Performance's official product specifications confirm the Leo Bodnar SimSteering 2 (26Nm) with proprietary CP-S software configuration — a professional-grade system comparable to Simucube 2 Pro but custom-tuned for Cool Performance's ecosystem.
Does Carlos Sainz compete in sim racing esports?
• Virtual Le Mans: Never competed (despite multiple F1 drivers participating since 2020)
• F1 Virtual GP (2020): Only 1-2 appearances (P10 at China with spin + penalty)
• iRacing: Account exists but inactive
• Esports Team: None
• Streaming: None
He holds a Gran Turismo Sport Ambassador role for Spain (since 2017), but this is a marketing partnership rather than competitive involvement.
Why doesn't Carlos sim race as much as Verstappen or Norris?
• Factory simulators provide meaningful benefits; home rigs are primarily entertainment
• Real-world driving (rally cars, outdoor activities) is more valuable than virtual laps
• Lewis Hamilton proves that success doesn't require sim racing commitment
• "If they would benefit from it, then Lando would be quicker in the simulator in McLaren than me. But he's not."
His philosophy prioritizes factory simulator sessions and real-world driving over virtual competition.
Did Carlos Sainz buy his sim rig because of Lando Norris?
"I wanted the same setup as Lando. We are teammates, and we drive the same car—I want the same setup with the simulator, so we can compete with each other on equal terms."
The installation was documented by Motorsport.com, with Sainz reportedly trading pizza for Norris's help with configuration details.
Is Carlos Sainz's sim rig sponsored?
Cool Performance explicitly states: "F1 drivers consistently select Cool Performance not due to sponsorships or marketing arrangements, but because of the proven success of its simulators."
📊 Confidence Assessment by Component
| Component | Confidence | Source Quality |
|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase (Leo Bodnar 26Nm) | High | Official manufacturer specification |
| Pedals (CP-S Hydraulic/AP Racing) | High | Official manufacturer specification |
| Cockpit (Cool Performance Formula Pro) | High | Video documentation, official pages |
| Monitors (Triple 27" Samsung 240Hz) | Medium-High | Consistent across sources |
| Motion Platform (None) | Medium | No photo evidence; CP notes "most pros choose no motion" |
| PC Specs (i9/RTX) | Medium | Standard configuration, unconfirmed updates |
| Headset (Logitech G935) | Low | Single source estimation |
| Shifter/Handbrake | Unknown | Not documented for Sainz's personal rig |
📚 Sources & Verification
Primary Sources (Tier 1)
- Cool Performance Official — Carlos Sainz Profile — Confirms equipment specs and testimonial
- Cool Performance — CP-S Hydraulic Pedals — Confirms AP Racing master cylinders and 200kg capacity
- Motorsport.com — Sainz Simulator Installation Video (2019) — Documents delivery and setup
- F1.com — Sainz Williams Interview (2025) — Williams simulator references
Secondary Sources (Tier 2)
- BoxThisLap — Carlos Sainz Sim Racing Setup (Apr 2025) — Comprehensive hardware breakdown (note: wheelbase correction needed)
- Leo Bodnar Official — SimSteering 2 Specs — Confirms 26Nm torque specification
- Samsung — Odyssey G7 Product Page — Monitor specifications
Interview Sources (Philosophy Quotes)
- Carlos Sainz interviews (August 2019, March 2025) — Skepticism quotes about sim racing benefits
- Williams "Grove Insider" video series (July 2025) — Factory simulator references
🎯 The Bottom Line
Carlos Sainz maintains a genuine professional-grade sim racing setup but uses it with far less intensity than peers like Verstappen, Norris, or Leclerc. His Cool Performance Formula Pro with Leo Bodnar direct drive, AP Racing-spec hydraulic pedals, and triple Samsung displays represents equipment competitive with any F1 driver's home rig — yet his philosophy prioritizes factory simulator sessions and real-world driving over virtual competition.
Elite equipment. Minimal esports involvement. Vocal skepticism about simulation's limits.
The Verstappen counterpoint.