๐ Home Rig (UK/Monaco)
| Component | Model / Spec | Metric | Est. Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Wheelbase | Simucube 2 Ultimate | 32Nm | ~$3,000 |
| Secondary Wheelbase | Fanatec Podium F1 DD | 20Nm | ~$1,800 |
| Primary Wheel (2024+) | Sim-Lab Mercedes F1 Wheel NEW | 280mm Carbon | ~$2,650 |
| Alternate Wheel | Ascher Racing F28-SC | 285mm F1 | ~$700 |
| Pedals | Heusinkveld Sim Pedals Ultimate | 200kg LC | ~$1,200 |
| Cockpit | Sim-Lab P1-X / Mercedes Cockpit | 8020 Alu | ~$900โ$2,000 |
| Seat | Sim-Lab Mercedes GRP / Sparco Circuit | F1 Position | ~$500โ$800 |
| Display | Triple Samsung Odyssey G6 32" | 240Hz QHD | ~$1,500 |
| Headset | SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro | ANC Wireless | ~$350 |
| Home Rig Total | ~$10,000+ | ||
๐น๏ธ Home Rig โ Core Driving Controls
[Primary Wheelbase] Simucube 2 Ultimate (32Nm) VerifiedPrimary
The pinnacle of consumer direct drive technology. Russell uses the Simucube 2 Ultimate as his primary wheelbase for iRacing and rFactor 2, where the 32Nm torque and ultra-low latency provide unfiltered feedback. The 22-bit encoder and advanced filtering allow him to catch slides before they happen visually, reacting purely on haptic impulse.
[Secondary Wheelbase] Fanatec Podium F1 DD (20Nm) VerifiedF1 Game
Russell's original direct drive from the 2020 lockdown era. The Podium F1 DD offers PlayStation compatibility for official F1 games and uses Fanatec's ecosystem of quick-release wheels. He switches to this base for Codemasters F1 titles and casual streaming sessions.
๐๏ธ Sim-Lab Mercedes-AMG F1 Wheel (2024)
[Primary Wheel] Sim-Lab Mercedes F1 Wheel (2024) PartnershipNEW 2024
The Sim-Lab Mercedes F1 Wheel represents the first time an F1 team has released its actual steering wheel CAD data for a consumer product. The carbon fiber monocoque weighs just 1240g, critical for preserving force feedback detail. Features 14 buttons, 9 rotary encoders, and a 4.3" LCD running RaceDirector software with the exact dashboard layout Russell sees in the W16.
"It's really special that this is something that is now available. Formula One has always been so secretive and so protective of the intellectual property. And now we're putting it out there."โ Marcelo, Mercedes Senior Trackside Control Systems Engineer (Dec 2024)
[Alternate Wheel] Ascher Racing F28-SC Verified2020โ2023
Russell's documented primary wheel from 2020โ2023. The F28-SC features Simucube wireless connectivity, 28 programmable inputs, and magnetic paddle shifters. The 285mm diameter and lightweight carbon composite construction made it the go-to choice for pro F1 drivers before official partnership wheels existed.
[Pedals] Heusinkveld Sim Pedals Ultimate VerifiedCurrent
Russell upgraded from Fanatec ClubSport V3 pedals to Heusinkveld Ultimates in 2022. The Ultimate pedals feature a 200kg load cell capacity with hydraulic damping for realistic brake feel. Note: With the Sim-Lab partnership, Russell may also have access to the Sim-Lab XP1 pedals, which are designed to match Heusinkveld's performance characteristics.
[Cockpit] Sim-Lab P1-X / Mercedes Cockpit VerifiedCurrent
Russell upgraded from a white Playseat chassis in late 2020 to the Sim-Lab P1-X aluminum profile cockpit. The Mercedes partnership now offers a dedicated cockpit with reinforced profiles engineered to handle the high-frequency vibrations from direct-drive motors without resonance. Features "Space Gray" powder-coat finish matched to the Mercedes-AMG livery.
[Display] Triple Samsung Odyssey G6 32" EstimatedCurrent
Russell uses triple monitors for serious training rather than VR. The 240Hz refresh rate updates every 4.1ms (vs 16.6ms at 60Hz), critical for judging braking points at 300kph. The 1000R curvature matches peripheral vision for a seamless wrap-around view. A fourth monitor is used for telemetry/MoTeC data.
[Motion] None โ Static Rig VerifiedStatic
Like Max Verstappen and most F1 drivers, Russell prefers a static rig without motion platforms. The theory is that motion actuators introduce millisecond delays that conflict with direct FFB feedback from the wheel. For drivers with elite car control, instant steering feedback matters more than simulated G-forces.
[Audio] SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless PartnershipCurrent
The Arctis Nova Pro Wireless features Active Noise Cancellation to remove background noise (paddle clacks, motor whine, PC fans), allowing Russell to focus purely on game audio. The Sonar software creates custom EQ profiles that amplify critical cues like tyre scrub and brake lock-ups while suppressing ambient noise.
๐ Full Hardware List
| Component | Current (2024โ2025) | Previous (2020โ2023) | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Wheelbase | Simucube 2 Ultimate 32Nm | Simucube 2 Ultimate | Verified |
| Secondary Wheelbase | Fanatec Podium F1 DD 20Nm | Fanatec Podium F1 DD | Verified |
| Primary Wheel | Sim-Lab Mercedes F1 Wheel | Ascher Racing F28-SC | Partnership |
| Alternate Wheel | Ascher Racing F28-SC | Fanatec Podium F1 | Verified |
| Pedals | Heusinkveld Ultimate (200kg) | Fanatec ClubSport V3 | Verified |
| Cockpit | Sim-Lab Mercedes / P1-X | Playseat (white) | Verified |
| Seat | Sim-Lab Mercedes GRP / Sparco | Sim-Lab Speed Series | Partnership |
| Display | Triple Samsung Odyssey G6 32" (240Hz) | Triple 27" curved | Estimated |
| Headset | SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro | Logitech G PRO X | Partnership |
| PC CPU | AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D | Intel i5 11th Gen (est.) | Partnership |
| PC GPU | AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX (24GB) | NVIDIA RTX 3060 Ti (est.) | Partnership |
| Stream Deck | Elgato Stream Deck | Elgato Stream Deck | Verified |
| Motion | None โ static | None โ static | Verified |
Total: ~$10,000โ$15,000 depending on partnership equipment vs. consumer equivalents.
๐ Timeline & Evolution
"Professional gamers were making me look like an idiot... I was miles off the pro F1 esports drivers when practicing with them for the first time. It was a bit of a shock."โ George Russell, The Race Esports Podcast (June 2020)
Lockdown Beginnings
Russell had no sim rig when F1 announced the Virtual GP series. He quickly acquired basic Fanatec equipment and started from scratch, "on the back foot" compared to other drivers like Lando Norris who had years of sim racing experience.
Virtual GP Domination
After weeks of intense practice, Russell won four consecutive Virtual GPs (Spain, Monaco, Azerbaijan, Canada). Part of the famous "Twitch Quartet" with Leclerc, Norris, and Albon. Streamed as "GR63" to ~250,000 followers.
Upgraded to Direct Drive
Added Simucube 2 Ultimate + Ascher F28-SC wheel alongside Fanatec Podium. Upgraded from Playseat to Sim-Lab P1-X cockpit. Expanded to triple curved monitors.
Professional-Grade Build
Upgraded pedals to Heusinkveld Ultimate (from ClubSport V3), seat to Sparco Circuit. Added Logitech G PRO X headset and Elgato Stream Deck. Total rig value approaching $10,000.
IWC iRacing Esports Challenge
Russell served as team captain at the IWC boutique event in London's Battersea Power Station. Team Russell defeated Team Jarno Opmeer at virtual Silverstone.
Sim-Lab Mercedes F1 Wheel Release
Mercedes and Sim-Lab release the official F1 sim racing wheel built from actual W13 CAD files. The 280mm carbon fiber wheel features the exact dashboard layout and controls Russell uses in the real car.
Partnership Ecosystem Complete
Full Sim-Lab Mercedes partnership equipment now available: cockpit, seat, wheel, and pedals. Russell's home rig can now replicate the "Brackley Standard" used at Mercedes HQ. Less active on Twitch but continues sim practice for circuit preparation.
"I had probably two weeks of frustration... every single day just not getting any quicker. And then suddenly one day I woke up, jumped on and it just clicked."โ George Russell, The Race Esports Podcast
๐ฐ Cost to Copy George's Setup
Full Partnership Build (2025)
Maximum accuracy to Russell's current setup
Budget Alternative
Consumer equivalents with similar performance
๐ 2020 Champion Setup
What George won 4 Virtual GPs with
Proof: George won 4 consecutive Virtual GPs before major upgrades!
โ Frequently Asked Questions
What sim racing setup does George Russell actually use?
Does George Russell use the Sim-Lab Mercedes F1 wheel?
Does George Russell use motion or VR?
Did George Russell compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans Virtual?
What games does George Russell play?
โข iRacing โ Gold standard for competitive online racing; used for IWC Esports event and serious practice. Laser-scanned tracks allow millimeter-precise braking point practice.
โข EA SPORTS F1 24/25 โ Commercial engagement and "Russell's Rivals" league
โข rFactor 2 โ The Race All-Star events, physical accuracy
โข Assetto Corsa Competizione โ GT racing practice
He streams on Twitch as "GR63" (~250,000 followers), though less active since 2021.
What PC specs does George Russell use?
โข CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D (3D V-Cache for iRacing stability)
โข GPU: AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX (24GB VRAM for triple-screen)
โข RAM: 32โ64GB DDR5 (6000MHz+)
โข Storage: 2TB NVMe Gen5 SSD
Earlier estimates (2021) suggested Intel i5 + RTX 3060 Ti, but the AMD partnership has likely upgraded these specs.
๐ Sources & Verification
Primary Sources (Tier 1)
- Formula1.com โ Official F1 Virtual Grand Prix coverage, Russell's championship win (June 2020)
- Mercedes-AMG F1 YouTube โ "We created the MOST accurate F1 Steering Wheel for Sim Racing" (Dec 2024)
- Sim-Lab Official โ Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Sim Racing Steering Wheel product page
- Simucube Official โ Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Esports partnership announcement
- SteelSeries Press โ Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Esports partnership
Secondary Sources (Tier 2)
- MySimRig (Nov 26, 2025) โ Comprehensive profile confirming hardware: dual wheelbases, Ascher F28-SC, Heusinkveld Ultimate, P1-X
- BoxThisLap (Nov 7, 2021) โ Historical hardware table from 2020โ2021 era
- The SportsRush (Sep 2022) โ Cost analysis citing South China Morning Post, confirms ~$10,000 setup value
- Boosted Media (2025) โ F1 driver gear overview including Sim-Lab Mercedes wheel