"It all started basically before I was born already because my family was into go-karting... My father pushed me really really hard, which is very necessary. He was mechanic for Bus Lammers for 20 years."— Jarno Opmeer, TEDxWHU Talk
"I'm probably not the most talented driver in the world, but I think my dedication very much helped me... I was still a second off the world champion after my first weeks of practice."— Jarno Opmeer, TEDxWHU Talk
🏎️ Personal Setup Overview
| Component | Model / Spec | Metric | Est. Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase | Simucube 2 Ultimate | 32Nm | ~$3,600 |
| Wheel | PSE GPX Steering Wheel | Formula-style | ~$1,500 |
| Pedals | Heusinkveld Ultimate+ | 136kg load cell | ~$1,200 |
| Cockpit | Sim-Lab Aluminum Rig | F1 position | ~$1,500 |
| Monitor | ASUS ROG PG49WCD | 49" 144Hz OLED | ~$1,500 |
| Headset | SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro | Wireless ANC | ~$350 |
| Personal Setup Total | ~$9,650 | ||
🎮 Core Driving Controls
[Wheelbase] Simucube 2 Ultimate VerifiedPersonal
The Simucube 2 Ultimate is an industrial-grade direct drive wheelbase delivering 32Nm peak torque — the highest in consumer sim racing. Jarno runs reduced in-game FFB strength (~46-50% at 100% profile) to maintain detail sensitivity without fatigue during long sessions. The instant torque response enables him to feel the exact moment tires break traction.
[Wheel] Precision Sim Engineering GPX VerifiedPersonal
The PSE GPX is a premium F1-style formula wheel featuring carbon fiber construction, integrated telemetry display, and magnetic paddle shifters. Jarno mentioned the base + wheel combination costs "€6000" together, indicating the championship-proven quality of this setup.
[Pedals] Heusinkveld Ultimate+ VerifiedPersonal
The Heusinkveld Ultimate+ pedals feature a hydraulic-simulation load cell brake with up to 136kg adjustable force. The SmartControl software allows precise curve customization for threshold braking consistency. Jarno collaborated with Heusinkveld for a "braking technique" video demonstrating proper pedal usage.
🪑 Cockpit & Ergonomics
[Cockpit] Sim-Lab Aluminum Rig VerifiedPersonal
Jarno upgraded to a Sim-Lab aluminum profile rig in December 2021, replacing his original Playseat F1 Ultimate Edition. The 8020 aluminum extrusion provides the absolute rigidity needed to handle his 32Nm Simucube without flex. Configured in F1-style reclined position for authentic driving ergonomics.
[Motion] None — Static Rig VerifiedStatic
Like most elite F1 Esports competitors, Jarno deliberately avoids motion platforms. Motion actuators introduce latency between physics calculation and physical movement. For a driver competing at the world championship level, a rigid, static chassis ensures Force Feedback from the steering wheel is the primary and instantaneous source of grip information.
🖥️ Display & Audio
[Monitor] ASUS ROG Swift OLED PG49WCD Verified2023 Upgrade
In late 2023, Jarno upgraded to the ASUS ROG Swift OLED PG49WCD — a 49-inch super-ultrawide with 0.03ms response time. He specifically cited the "0.03 milliseconds of delay only" as critical for competitive racing. The QD-OLED panel features infinite contrast and a custom graphene heatsink to prevent burn-in during long streaming sessions.
[Headset] SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless VerifiedAudio
"The reason why we use the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless at Mercedes is because we've got a great level of customization available to us. We've got noise cancelling where you can stay very much focused on your driving." The Mercedes team created a custom SteelSeries Sonar audio profile optimized for sim racing.
💻 PC Specifications
[PC] AMD Ryzen 7 5800X + RX 6900 XT Estimated2021 Build
Built by Overclockers UK, Jarno's PC prioritizes consistent frame rates over visual fidelity. He runs all graphics at lowest values to maximize performance — "if you are struggling with FPS, put resolution to 1080p because that would give you slightly more FPS."
📋 Full Hardware List (Personal vs Competition)
| Component | Personal Setup | F1 Esports (Mandatory) | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase | Simucube 2 Ultimate 32Nm | Fanatec CSL Elite Racing | Verified |
| Steering Wheel | PSE GPX | ClubSport Steering Wheel F1 Esports | Verified |
| Pedals | Heusinkveld Ultimate+ | Fanatec CSL Elite V2 LC | Verified |
| Cockpit | Sim-Lab Aluminum Rig | Playseat Formula Intelligence | Verified |
| Display | ASUS ROG PG49WCD 49" | AOC AGON 49" Ultrawide | Verified |
| Headset | SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro | Corsair (Team Partner) | Verified |
| Motion | None — static rig | None — static rig | Verified |
💰 Cost to Copy This Setup
🏆 Jarno's Exact Setup
Championship-proven equipment
💡 Budget Alternative
85% performance at 40% cost
📈 Championship History
| Year | Team | Result | Notable |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Renault-Vitality | 4th | Rookie season |
| 2020 | Alfa Romeo Orlen | 🏆 Champion | First title (online) |
| 2021 | Mercedes-AMG Petronas | 🏆 Champion | Back-to-back titles |
| 2022 | Mercedes-AMG Petronas | 5th | eROC Champion |
| 2023-24 | Mercedes-AMG Petronas | 4th | Team struggles |
| 2025 | Oracle Red Bull Sim Racing | 🏆 Champion | Historic 3rd title |
Other achievements: 4× PSGL Champion · 2022 eROC Champion · Virtual 24 Hours of Le Mans participant (2020, 2022) · Formula E: Accelerate 2nd place (2022)
⚙️ In-Game Settings (F1 23/24)
| Setting | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Camera | TV Pod Offset | FOV -20, Offset Lateral -12 |
| Force Feedback (Simucube) | ~46-50% | At 100% profile strength |
| Force Feedback (Fanatec) | 170 in-game | Max in wheel settings |
| Steering Rotation | 300° | Standard F1 setting |
| Graphics Preset | Ultra Low | "Maximise frame rate" |
| Resolution | 1440p | V-Sync OFF, 240 FPS cap |
| Camera Shake | 0% | "Distracting, unnecessary" |
| Motion Blur | 0% | Disabled for clarity |
| Assists | All OFF | No ABS, TC, or steering assist |
Source: F1 23 Settings By F1 Esports World Champion Jarno Opmeer (YouTube)
📚 Sources & Verification
✅ Tier 1: First-Party Sources
- Jarno Opmeer TikTok (April 2021) — "Wheelbase is the Simucube Ultimate and the Wheel is the Precision Sim Engineering GPX"
- I UPGRADED MY RIG FOR WRC (Dec 2023) — ASUS ROG PG49WCD monitor installation
- F1 23 Settings Video (June 2023) — Complete in-game settings breakdown
- TEDxWHU Talk (April 2023) — Career background and philosophy
- SteelSeries Blog Interview (March 2023) — Arctis Nova Pro headset confirmation
📄 Tier 2: Official Announcements
- Red Bull Racing (Aug 2024) — Oracle Red Bull Sim Racing signing announcement
- Heusinkveld Press Release (2022) — Mercedes-AMG Petronas Esports team supplier, naming Jarno
- Fanatec (2025) — 2025 Championship coverage