๐ Home Rig (Consumer Grade)
| Component | Model / Spec | Metric | Est. Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase | Thrustmaster T-GT / T-GT II Verified Apr 2020 | ~5-6Nm Belt | ~$800 |
| Pedals | Thrustmaster T3PA Reported | Potentiometer | ~$150 |
| Cockpit | Custom Playseat F1 Ultimate (LH branded) Verified Apr 2020 | F1 Position | ~$1,500 |
| Display | Single Curved Ultrawide Verified Apr 2020 | Brand Unknown | ~$600 |
| Platform | PlayStation 5 Verified | Console | ~$500 |
| Primary Game | Gran Turismo 7 Verified | Exclusive | ~$70 |
| PC Sim Racing | None Confirmed Apr 2025 | "Got to get a PC" | $0 |
| Motion | None Verified | Static | $0 |
| Home Rig Total | ~$3,620 | ||
๐ง Hamilton's Simulation Philosophy
"I never drive simulatorsโvery, very rarely. With simulators, it's very difficult because the movement is never perfect."โ Lewis Hamilton, 2020
"Your mind's telling you that the car's moving, but you're not getting any cueing of movements. You have to kind of override your mind and I don't really like doing that."โ Lewis Hamilton on why he avoids home sim racing
"I could spend ยฃ100 on a PlayStation and learn the same amount."โ Lewis Hamilton, Autosport 2016
"Also I've got to get a PC."โ Lewis Hamilton to Charles Leclerc, discussing iRacing and Assetto Corsa, Ferrari video April 2025
Hamilton's approach is the polar opposite of Max Verstappen's. Where Verstappen runs a โฌ35,000+ setup and competes professionally in iRacing with Team Redline, Hamilton deliberately chose consumer-grade equipment and treats sim racing as pure entertainment. Notably, he doesn't even own a PC for sim racing โ confirming his PlayStation-exclusive approach.
๐ฎ Gaming Profile: Beyond Sim Racing
Hamilton describes himself as "a geek when it comes to games" with an extensive console collection. His gaming interests extend far beyond racing simulations โ in fact, he's more active in shooters and casual games than sim racing.
| Game/Platform | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Call of Duty | โ Active | "I really like Call of Duty" โ plays regularly |
| Fortnite | โ Active | Plays with niece and nephew |
| Mario Kart | โ Active | Plays on Nintendo Switch |
| Gran Turismo 7 | โ Ambassador | PlayStation exclusive, promotional role |
| FIFA | โ ๏ธ Former | "I was fully on PlayStation" for FIFA 19 |
| iRacing | โ Not Active | "I used to play iRacing" โ needs PC to access |
| Assetto Corsa | โ Not Active | Needs PC โ "I've got to get a PC" |
"I'm a geek when it comes to games. So I have like every console. Like I've got the Super Nintendo, the first Super Nintendo, the second Super Nintendo. I've got them all under my TV."โ Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari video April 2025
When Leclerc mentioned having a PC for iRacing and Assetto Corsa, Hamilton responded that he needs to get a PC โ confirming his PlayStation-exclusive setup. His "I used to play iRacing" comment suggests past experience, likely at events or team facilities rather than at home.
๐น๏ธ Detailed Hardware Breakdown
[Wheelbase] Thrustmaster T-GT Verified Apr 2020Consumer
The Thrustmaster T-GT is the official Gran Turismo licensed wheel. This is a belt-driven unit โ notably NOT direct drive. Hamilton does not use Simucube, Fanatec DD, Leo Bodnar, or any professional-grade wheelbase at home. This aligns with his PlayStation/GT partnership.
[Pedals] Thrustmaster T3PA ReportedEntry-Level
These are entry-level three-pedal units using potentiometer technology rather than load cells. Hamilton does NOT use Heusinkveld, Simucube ActivePedal, or any professional-grade pedal systems at home. He has specifically commented on the disconnect between consumer pedal feel and real F1 brake pressure.
[Cockpit] Custom Playseat F1 Ultimate Verified Apr 2020LH Branded
The cockpit is a Playseat F1-style rig with custom "LH" branding and Project 44 logos, positioned in an F1-style reclined layout with elevated pedals. This is consumer-grade molded construction โ NOT aluminum 8020 profile like Sim-Lab or Trak Racer. Hamilton has joked that it's "no surprise" he isn't obsessed with sim racing since "the seat doesn't even move."
[Display] Single Curved Ultrawide Verified Apr 2020Single Monitor
Hamilton uses a single curved ultrawide monitor โ NOT triple screens, NOT VR. When Gran Turismo Sport didn't fully support his monitor's ultrawide resolution, he simply raced in letterbox mode rather than upgrading. This casual approach epitomizes his "entertainment only" philosophy.
[Platform] PlayStation 5 VerifiedConsole
Hamilton operates entirely on PlayStation 5 (originally PS4 in 2020), NOT PC. In April 2025, speaking with Charles Leclerc, he stated "I've got to get a PC" when discussing iRacing and Assetto Corsa โ confirming he doesn't have a PC sim racing setup. This means he cannot access iRacing, Assetto Corsa Competizione, or rFactor 2.
๐ Competition & Esports: Notably Absent
| Event/Platform | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| F1 Virtual Grand Prix 2020 | โ Did Not Participate | Leclerc, Russell, Norris competed regularly |
| Virtual Le Mans 24 Hours | โ No Participation | 2020, 2022, 2023 editions |
| iRacing | โ No PC Access | "I used to play iRacing" โ past tense, no current PC |
| Team Redline (Verstappen's team) | โ N/A | No esports team ownership |
| X44 Racing | โ ๏ธ Disbanded | Extreme E team 2021-2023 (real-world, not esports) |
When asked about the Virtual GP series in May 2020, Hamilton stated: "I'm not interested in much driving simulated racing. I never drive simulators, very, very rarely." His only racing game involvement is Gran Turismo, where he serves as official "Maestro" ambassador. Note that X44 was a real-world Extreme E racing team, not an esports operation โ it disbanded after the 2023 season following their 2022 championship victory.
๐ฎ Gran Turismo Partnership
Hamilton's equipment is provided through his official partnership with Gran Turismo/Sony since October 2017. Thrustmaster T-GT wheels are officially Gran Turismo licensed, and his Playseat cockpit features custom branding through promotional arrangements.
| Partnership Element | Details | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Ambassador Role | "The Maestro of Gran Turismo Sport" | Oct 2017 |
| DLC Pack | Lewis Hamilton Time Trial Challenge โ 10 challenges + ghost data | Nov 2019 |
| Featured Cars | Mercedes-AMG GT3, Sauber Mercedes C9, 2017 W08 | 2019 |
| Tracks | Brands Hatch, Suzuka, Nรผrburgring, Interlagos | 2019 |
| Hardware | Equipment provided by Sony/GT partnership | 2017-present |
"I have been playing Gran Turismo since I was a child, so to actually be part of the gameplay design has been an incredible experience."โ Lewis Hamilton on GT7 development consultation
๐ด 2025 Ferrari Transition
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Ferrari deliberately used "different configurations and adjustments" to "erase" Hamilton's Mercedes muscle memory, tweaking suspension calibrations, engine maps, and load levels. Ferrari's facility features the Dynisma DMG-1, a cutting-edge motion simulator with 3-5ms latency โ addressing Hamilton's long-standing criticism that consumer simulators lack realistic motion cues.
| Simulator | Location | Usage | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Rig | Monaco / UK | Entertainment only (Gran Turismo) | 2017-present |
| Mercedes F1 Sim | Brackley, UK | "Maybe 20 laps a year" | 2013-2024 |
| Ferrari F1 Sim | Maranello, Italy | Intensive preparation (Dynisma DMG-1) | Jan 2025-present |
At the 2024 Abu Dhabi GP, Hamilton acknowledged: "Next week I'll already be in the sim working on the next car... The break is the shortest that we've ever had." The Ferrari simulator represents a fundamentally different experience from his home rig โ a multi-million-pound professional tool versus a consumer entertainment setup.
๐ฐ Cost to Copy Hamilton's Setup
๐๏ธ Hamilton's Exact Build
The most affordable F1 driver setup on the grid
๐ฎ Budget Alternative
Same philosophy, lower cost
โ Frequently Asked Questions
What sim racing setup does Lewis Hamilton use?
Does Lewis Hamilton have a gaming PC for sim racing?
Why doesn't Lewis Hamilton use a high-end sim rig like Max Verstappen?
Does Lewis Hamilton compete in iRacing or esports?
What other games does Lewis Hamilton play?
How many sim rigs does Lewis Hamilton own?
Why doesn't Hamilton use direct drive or load cell pedals?
What about reports claiming Hamilton uses Leo Bodnar or Heusinkveld equipment?
Has Hamilton's setup changed since joining Ferrari in 2025?
๐ Sources & Verification
Primary Sources (Tier 1)
- GTPlanet (April 2020) โ Primary source for home rig documentation from Instagram stories
- Ferrari YouTube (April 2025) โ "Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc Rate Classic Video Games" โ Hamilton confirms no PC ("I've got to get a PC")
- GTPlanet (November 2019) โ "Four GT Sport racing rigs" claim and DLC announcement
- Gran Turismo Official (October 2017) โ "Maestro of Gran Turismo Sport" ambassador announcement
- The Race (July 2021) โ "Maybe 20 laps a year" quote and simulator philosophy
Secondary Sources (Tier 2)
- MySimRig (November 2025) โ Hardware compilation and analysis
- Autosport (2016) โ "ยฃ100 PlayStation" quote source
- La Gazzetta dello Sport โ Ferrari simulator transition coverage (January 2025)
Conflicting Sources (Not Used)
Some secondary sources claim Hamilton uses professional-grade equipment (Leo Bodnar, Heusinkveld, PC setup, VR). These claims contradict his April 2025 statement about needing a PC. Without independent verification, such claims are not included in this profile.