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Oscar Piastri

McLaren's rising star and confirmed VRS DirectForce Pro user. From Fanatec beginnings to direct-drive precision โ€” proof that talent matters more than price tag.

McLaren F1 9 GP Wins iRacing VRS User
Hardware verified: April 2020 ยท Last reviewed: January 2026
See something wrong or outdated? Submit a correction โ†’
๐Ÿ“น Primary Sources: VRS Official (Manufacturer Confirmation) ยท Auto Action (2020) ยท FIA Formula 2 (2021) ยท GPFans (2024)
โš ๏ธ Transparency Note: Oscar keeps his sim racing relatively private. VRS confirms he uses their DirectForce Pro equipment, but specific rig details beyond the 2020 ARG eSports photos remain unverified. We've split this profile into verified (2020) and reported (current) sections.
F1 CAREER
9 Wins
25 Podiums ยท 6 Poles
2025 WDC
3rd Place
410 Points
CURRENT WHEELBASE
VRS DirectForce
Manufacturer Confirmed
SIM PLATFORM
iRacing
Self-Confirmed

๐Ÿ“ธ Verified 2020 Setup (ARG eSports Cup)

โœ“ Fully Verified: Oscar competed in Round 5 of the ARG eSports Cup on April 30, 2020. Race results and equipment confirmed via Australian motorsport publications.
๐Ÿ† ARG eSports Cup 2020 โ€” Verified Setup
ComponentModelConfidenceSource
Wheelbase Fanatec ClubSport (visible in photos) Verified Event photos
Wheel Fanatec ClubSport Racing Wheel F1 Verified Event photos
Platform iRacing (Dallara F3) Verified Event records
Track Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya Verified Event records
๐Ÿ† ARG eSports Cup Results (April 30, 2020) Verified Primary Source
โœ… Verified: Auto Action, TCR Australia, Speedcafe all confirm these results

Oscar competed as a guest driver in Round 5 of the carsales ARG eSport Cup, racing Formula 3 cars on iRacing at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya against 44 competitors.

Race 1 ResultWIN (+3.2 sec)
Race 1 Runner-upNathan Herne
Race 2 StartP20 (reverse grid)
Race 2 Result3rd Place
CarDallara F3

At the time, Oscar was a Renault Sport Academy driver preparing for his Formula 3 Championship season with Prema Racing.

[Wheelbase] Fanatec ClubSport Verified 2020
๐ŸŽฎ
โœ… Verified: Photos from ARG eSports Cup show Fanatec ClubSport equipment

The only publicly documented photo of Oscar's personal sim setup shows Fanatec ClubSport equipment during the 2020 ARG eSports Cup. This represents mid-range consumer hardware โ€” not the high-end gear often assumed for F1 drivers.

Era2020 (Pre-F1)
Wheel TypeClubSport Racing Wheel F1
Price Range (2020)~โ‚ฌ1,500 total

The lesson: Oscar won his ARG eSports race by 3.2 seconds on mid-range equipment. Skill matters more than hardware cost.

๐Ÿ–ฅ๏ธ Current Setup (Reported)

โš ๏ธ Manufacturer Confirmed, Details Unverified: VRS officially lists Oscar Piastri as a user of their DirectForce Pro equipment. However, specific model configurations (cockpit, wheel model, pedals, monitor) come from secondary sources and cannot be independently verified.
๐Ÿ“‹ Reported Current Setup โ€” VRS DirectForce Pro
ComponentReported ModelDec 2025 PriceConfidence
Wheelbase VRS DirectForce Pro โ‚ฌ799โ€“โ‚ฌ899 Verified
Wheel VRS DirectForce Pro Formula โ‚ฌ400โ€“โ‚ฌ997 Reported
Pedals VRS DirectForce Pro Pedals โ‚ฌ549โ€“โ‚ฌ700 Reported
Cockpit Reported as turnkey package Variable Reported
Platform iRacing Subscription Verified
[Wheelbase] VRS DirectForce Pro (20Nm) Verified Current
๐ŸŽฎ
โœ… Manufacturer Confirmed: VRS About page states their hardware "has been used by...breakout Formula 1 sensation, Oscar Piastri" [View Source]

VRS DirectForce Pro is a direct-drive wheelbase with 20Nm of torque. It uses a MiGE 130ST-M10010 industrial servo motor with a 22-bit BISS-C encoder for precise force feedback.

Peak Torque20 Nm
MotorMiGE 130ST-M10010
Encoder22-bit BISS-C
MSRP (Dec 2025)โ‚ฌ899
Sale Price~โ‚ฌ799

Note: VRS acknowledges Piastri uses their equipment but this is not a formal sponsorship. No partnership agreement has been publicly announced.

[Wheel] VRS DirectForce Pro Formula Reported Current
๐ŸŽก
โš ๏ธ Reported: Specific wheel model from secondary sources โ€” not independently verified

Professional formula-style steering wheel with F1-inspired layout, magnetic shifters, and multiple rotary encoders. Frequently discounted from MSRP.

MSRP (Dec 2025)โ‚ฌ997
Frequent Sale Price~โ‚ฌ400
StyleFormula
[Pedals] VRS DirectForce Pro Pedals Reported Current
๐Ÿฆถ
โš ๏ธ Reported: Specific pedal model from secondary sources โ€” not independently verified

Load-cell pedals with up to 140kg brake force capacity. Features adjustable pedal position and resistance curves via software.

Brake TypeLoad Cell
Max Brake Force~140kg
MSRP (2-pedal, Dec 2025)โ‚ฌ699
Starting Priceโ‚ฌ549

๐Ÿ’ป iRacing Activity

๐Ÿ“Š What We Know: Oscar confirmed iRacing is his "racing game of choice" in a January 2024 interview. Community members report encountering him in public lobbies. However, iRacing does not publish player ratings publicly.
"So I normally play iRacing, that's my racing game of choice."
โ€” Oscar Piastri, GPFans/F1.com (January 2024)
"You don't have quite the same fear of crashing in the sim."
โ€” Oscar Piastri on simulator limitations, FIA Formula 2 (May 19, 2021)
๐ŸŽฎ Platform & ActivityConfirmed
โœ… Self-Confirmed: Oscar stated iRacing is his primary sim racing platform [GPFans]
  • iRacing: Primary platform โ€” laser-scanned circuits match real layouts
  • iRating: Not publicly available (iRacing doesn't publish ratings)
  • Community sightings: Users report racing against him in public lobbies
  • Streaming: Does not stream on Twitch (unlike teammate Lando Norris)
๐Ÿญ McLaren Factory SimulatorProfessional

Important distinction: Oscar's professional F1 training happens at McLaren's Technology Centre simulator โ€” a multi-million pound installation that is completely separate from his personal sim racing setup.

TypeFull-motion professional simulator
Display180ยฐ wide screen
FeaturesReplica chassis, wind model
Support StaffSim drivers (Turvey, Stevens)

The factory simulator is used for race weekend preparation, setup development, and new circuit familiarization. This is distinct from Oscar's recreational sim racing at home.

๐Ÿ’ฐ Cost to Build a Similar Setup

Based on VRS hardware pricing (January 2026). Note that Oscar's exact configuration is not publicly documented.

Prices shown in EUR. GBP estimates based on approximate exchange rate (~ยฃ1 = โ‚ฌ1.17).

Oscar's 2020 Level

Similar to ARG eSports Cup setup

Fanatec CSL DD (8Nm)~โ‚ฌ500
Fanatec Formula Wheel~โ‚ฌ350
Fanatec CSL Pedals LC~โ‚ฌ200
Playseat Challenge~โ‚ฌ250
27" Gaming Monitor~โ‚ฌ250
Total ~โ‚ฌ1,550

๐Ÿ’ก Remember: Oscar won his 2020 ARG eSports race by 3.2 seconds on mid-range Fanatec equipment. Hardware doesn't make the driver.

๐Ÿ“ˆ Equipment Evolution

Oscar's documented journey from consumer hardware to professional-grade equipment.

2020 (ARG eSports)Fanatec ClubSport โ€” Verified โœ“
2021โ€“2022 (F2/Alpine)Not documented
2023โ€“Present (McLaren)VRS DirectForce Pro โ€” Manufacturer Confirmed
๐Ÿ“š Key Insight: Not every F1 driver starts with top-tier equipment. Oscar's progression from Fanatec to VRS mirrors the typical sim racing upgrade path โ€” start affordable, upgrade as needed.

โ“ Frequently Asked Questions

What sim racing equipment does Oscar Piastri use?

VRS (Virtual Racing School) officially confirms Oscar Piastri uses their DirectForce Pro equipment on their About page. The specific configuration (wheel model, pedals, cockpit) comes from secondary sources and cannot be independently verified. During the 2020 ARG eSports Cup, photos show he used Fanatec ClubSport equipment.

What is Oscar Piastri's iRacing rating?

Oscar's exact iRating is not publicly available. iRacing does not publish player ratings without consent. While some sources claim specific figures, these cannot be verified through official channels. What we know: Oscar confirmed iRacing is his "racing game of choice" in a January 2024 GPFans interview, and community members report encountering him in public lobbies.

What equipment did Oscar use in the 2020 ARG eSports Cup?

Photos from the event show Fanatec ClubSport equipment, including a ClubSport Racing Wheel F1. Oscar won Race 1 by 3.2 seconds over Nathan Herne and finished 3rd in Race 2 (starting P20 on reverse grid). Sources: Auto Action, TCR Australia.

Does Oscar Piastri have a sponsorship with VRS?

No formal sponsorship has been announced. VRS acknowledges on their website that Oscar uses their equipment, but this appears to be manufacturer recognition rather than a formal partnership agreement. Oscar's verified personal sponsors include Quad Lock, HP Tuners, Dubber, FAI Aviation, and Grill'd โ€” none are sim racing equipment brands.

Does Oscar Piastri stream on Twitch?

Unlike teammate Lando Norris, Oscar does not stream his sim racing on Twitch. He maintains a relatively private approach to his recreational sim racing activities, though he occasionally appears in McLaren promotional content.

How much does Oscar Piastri's sim rig cost?

The exact cost is unknown since his specific configuration isn't documented. A comparable VRS DirectForce Pro setup (wheelbase, wheel, pedals, cockpit, monitor) would cost approximately โ‚ฌ2,750โ€“โ‚ฌ6,100 depending on options chosen. His 2020 Fanatec setup was likely around โ‚ฌ1,500 total.

๐Ÿ“š Sources & Verification

Last verified: January 2026. We distinguish between manufacturer confirmation, primary journalism, and secondary reports.

Tier 1: Primary Sources (Verified)

Tier 2: Secondary Sources (Reported)

  • mysimrig.nl โ€” Reports specific equipment details (unverified)
  • Reddit r/simracing โ€” Community sightings in iRacing lobbies
  • iRacing community forums โ€” Anecdotal reports

Sources NOT Used (Fabricated/Invalid)

  • mysimrig.com โ€” Domain does not exist (correct domain is mysimrig.nl)
  • RaceFans ARG eSports 2020 โ€” RaceFans never covered this event
๐Ÿ“‹ Verification Methodology: Equipment claims cross-referenced against manufacturer pages, official motorsport publications, and first-party interviews. "Reported" badges indicate claims from secondary sources without independent verification. Last audit: January 2026.

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McLaren drivers: Lando Norris uses different hardware (Cool Performance / custom builds)

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