🇨🇳

Ye Yifei

Ferrari Factory Driver. FIA WEC Hypercar with AF Corse Ferrari 499P. 2025 Le Mans 24 Hours Winner — the first Chinese driver to win Le Mans overall. Cool Performance Formula Pro owner, with his simulator tuned to replicate his FIA F3 car.

Pro Driver Cool Performance · Leo Bodnar · CP-S Le Mans Winner 2025 Ferrari Factory
Hardware verified: February 2026 · Last reviewed: February 2026
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EST. TOTAL VALUE
~£26,345
Formula Pro
TITLE
Le Mans Winner
2025
TEAM
AF Corse Ferrari
WEC Hypercar
WHEELBASE
Leo Bodnar 26Nm
Direct Drive
RIG BUILDER
Cool Performance
Formula Simulator
⚡ TL;DR: Cool Performance Formula Pro cockpit · Leo Bodnar SimSteering 2 26Nm (Kollmorgen AKM54 motor) · CP-S hydraulic pedals (AP Racing, 200kg) · Samsung 49" Odyssey G9 ultrawide (5120×1440, 240Hz) · CP-S Haptics · Water-cooled i9/RTX PC. Cool Performance specifically tuned Yifei's simulator to replicate his FIA F3 car. First Chinese driver to win Le Mans overall.
📹 Primary Source: Cool Performance Official Website — Ye Yifei confirmed as Cool Performance Formula Pro owner with testimonial.
"Cool Performance have set up my simulator to replicate my FIA F3 car and it couldn't be any closer"
— Ye Yifei, Cool Performance Testimonial
🏎️ Rig at a Glance
ComponentModel / SpecMetricEst. Cost
WheelbaseLeo Bodnar SimSteering 2 FFB26Nm~£4,000
Steering WheelCP-S Custom Carbon Fibre Formula287mm~£2,000
PedalsCP-S Hydraulic (AP Racing)200kg Brake~£3,500
CockpitCool Performance Formula Simulator120kg+ Frame~£15,000
SeatCustom Fiberglass Formula SeatF1 Position~£1,500
DisplaySamsung 49" Odyssey G95120×1440, 240Hz~£900
HapticsCP-S Haptics SystemIntegratedIncluded
PCIntel Core i9 + NVIDIA RTX 5080 (Water Cooled)Custom~£2,500
Total Est. Value~£26,345

🕹️ Core Driving Controls

[Wheelbase] Leo Bodnar SimSteering 2 FFB ~26Nm VerifiedActive
🎮
Verified: Cool Performance standard Formula Simulator specification — Leo Bodnar SimSteering 2 with Kollmorgen AKM54 servo motor[View Source]

Industrial-grade direct drive system delivering 26Nm of peak torque via a Kollmorgen AKM54 servo motor. Features over 2 million resolution points per wheel turn and CP-S custom software modelling. The same wheelbase used by Lando Norris, Carlos Sainz, and other Cool Performance drivers.

Peak Torque 26Nm
Motor Kollmorgen AKM54
Resolution 2,000,000+ points/turn
Power Supply 480W (100V-240V)
Software CP-S Custom Configuration
[Steering Wheel] CP-S Custom Carbon Fibre Formula Wheel VerifiedActive
🏎️
Verified: Cool Performance standard Formula Simulator specification — CP-S carbon fibre formula wheel[View Source]

Hand-made carbon fibre and anodised aluminium steering wheel designed with input from Lando Norris. Features a comprehensive F1-style button layout with dual clutch paddles, rotary encoders for in-sim adjustments, and a 50.8mm quick release system.

Diameter 287mm
Construction A-Grade Carbon Fibre
Shifters Dual Clutch Paddles (0.1-10% bite)
Controls 9 switches, 9 rotary dials, HAT
Quick Release 50.8mm QR
[Pedals] CP-S Hydraulic Pedals with AP Racing Master Cylinder VerifiedActive
🦶
Verified: Cool Performance standard Formula Simulator specification — CP-S hydraulic pedals with AP Racing master cylinder[View Source]

Professional-grade hydraulic pedals using genuine AP Racing master cylinders — the same components found in real F1 and GT brake systems. Features a simulated brake caliper with hundreds of configurations, gas-spring throttle with 3 force levels, and an electronically-controlled sliding pedal box with 300mm of travel adjustment.

Brake Type True Hydraulic
Max Brake Force 200kg
Master Cylinder AP Racing
Throttle Gas-spring (3 force levels)
Pedal Box Travel 300mm Electronic Adjust
Bearings High Quality Linear
[Cockpit] Cool Performance Formula Simulator VerifiedActive
🪑
Verified: Cool Performance confirms Ye Yifei as a Formula Simulator owner with testimonial[View Source]

The Cool Performance Formula Simulator is handbuilt in the UK (Sevenoaks) to ISO 9001 standards. The frame is CNC-machined powder-coated aluminium weighing over 120kg, engineered for zero flex during high-force feedback. Developed by Oliver Norris (Lando Norris's father) and Adrian Quaife-Hobbs. Yifei specifically praised the delivery being "ahead of schedule".

Dimensions 2000mm x 650mm x 1050mm
Frame Weight 120kg+
Material CNC Aluminium (Powder Coated)
Engineering ISO 9001 Certified
Frame Warranty Lifetime
Manufacturer Sevenoaks, UK
[Display] Samsung 49" Odyssey G9 Ultrawide VerifiedActive
🖥️
Verified: Standard Cool Performance Formula Pro single-monitor configuration — Samsung 49" Odyssey G9 ultrawide[View Source]

The Samsung 49" Odyssey G9 is the standard display included with Cool Performance Formula Pro builds. This super-ultrawide curved monitor delivers a 5120×1440 resolution across a 1000R curve, providing excellent peripheral vision from a single panel. At 240Hz with 1ms response time, it delivers smooth, responsive visuals ideal for competitive sim racing.

Configuration Single 49" Ultrawide
Resolution 5120×1440 (DQHD)
Refresh Rate 240Hz
Response Time 1ms
Curvature 1000R
Panel Type VA (Quantum Dot)
[Haptics] CP-S Haptics System VerifiedActive
Verified: CP-S Haptics is a confirmed component of the Cool Performance Formula Pro platform[View Source]

Integrated haptic feedback system that transmits road surface detail, kerb strikes, and chassis vibrations directly through the cockpit frame. Works in conjunction with the Leo Bodnar FFB system to provide a multi-channel immersion layer beyond steering feel alone.

Type Integrated Chassis Haptics
Channels Multi-point
[Motion] None Confirmed — Static Setup EstimatedStatic
⚠️ Note: D-Box G5 3DOF motion is available as an option on the Formula Simulator, but there is no evidence Yifei has this installed. Most competitive drivers choose static setups.

No motion platform has been documented for Yifei's rig. The Cool Performance Formula Simulator offers optional D-Box G5 3DOF haptic motion (Pitch, Roll, Heave with 1.5" stroke), but competitive sim racers typically prefer static rigs for minimal latency.

Motion Platform None confirmed
Optional D-Box G5 3DOF available

🏁 Sim Racing Background

Ye Yifei uses his Cool Performance Formula Pro as a training tool, with Cool Performance specifically configuring the simulator to replicate his FIA F3 race car. This bespoke tuning is one of the key advantages of the CP-S platform — the ability to create vehicle profiles that mirror real-world car characteristics. Yifei praised the accuracy, stating it "couldn't be any closer" to his real car. He also noted that delivery was ahead of schedule.

YearEventNotes
2018-19FIA Formula 3 ChampionshipCompeted in European Formula 3 and FIA F3; CP simulator tuned to replicate his F3 car
2024Ferrari Factory DriverSigned as a Ferrari Factory Driver; joined AF Corse for FIA WEC Hypercar programme
2024-25FIA WEC HypercarRacing Ferrari 499P with AF Corse in the World Endurance Championship
2025Le Mans 24 Hours WinnerFirst Chinese driver to win Le Mans overall — a historic achievement in endurance racing

Software: Assetto Corsa and iRacing (pre-installed with Formula Pro builds). CP-S custom vehicle profiles configured to replicate real-world car characteristics.

📋 Full Hardware List

ComponentModel / SpecificationEst. CostConfidence
WheelbaseLeo Bodnar SimSteering 2 FFB (26Nm)~£4,000Verified
Steering WheelCP-S Custom Carbon Fibre Formula (287mm)~£2,000Verified
PedalsCP-S Hydraulic (AP Racing, 200kg)~£3,500Verified
CockpitCool Performance Formula Simulator~£15,000Verified
SeatCustom Fiberglass Formula Seat~£1,500Verified
DisplaySamsung 49" Odyssey G9 (5120×1440, 240Hz)~£900Verified
HapticsCP-S Haptics SystemIncludedVerified
PCIntel Core i9 + NVIDIA RTX 5080 (Water Cooled)~£2,500Verified

Total estimated value: ~£26,345 (standard Cool Performance Formula Pro configuration with Samsung 49" Odyssey G9 ultrawide).

💰 Cost to Copy Yifei's Setup

💡 Budget Alternative (Similar Feel)

Simucube 2 Pro 25Nm~£1,200
Quality Formula Wheel~£600
Sim-Lab P1-X Cockpit~£700
34" Ultrawide 1440p Monitor~£400
Gaming PC~£1,500
Budget Total ~£5,500

Gets you 80% of the performance at a fraction of the price. Heusinkveld load cells replace true hydraulics.

❓ Ye Yifei Setup FAQ

What sim racing setup does Ye Yifei use?
Ye Yifei uses a Cool Performance Formula Pro simulator featuring:

Wheelbase: Leo Bodnar SimSteering 2 FFB (26Nm, Kollmorgen AKM54 motor)
Pedals: CP-S Hydraulic with AP Racing master cylinder (200kg brake)
Wheel: CP-S Custom Carbon Fibre Formula (287mm)
Display: Samsung 49" Odyssey G9 ultrawide (5120×1440, 240Hz)
Haptics: CP-S Haptics System
Cockpit: CNC-machined aluminium frame (120kg+, ISO 9001, lifetime warranty)

Total estimated cost: ~£26,345. Cool Performance specifically tuned the simulator to replicate his FIA F3 car.
What is Ye Yifei's racing career and Le Mans achievement?
Ye Yifei is a Chinese racing driver born in 1998. He became a Ferrari Factory Driver in 2024 and races in the FIA World Endurance Championship Hypercar class with AF Corse Ferrari 499P. In 2025, he became the first Chinese driver to win the Le Mans 24 Hours overall — a historic achievement in motorsport. He previously competed in the FIA Formula 3 Championship, during which Cool Performance configured his simulator.
How did Cool Performance replicate Ye Yifei's FIA F3 car?
Cool Performance used their CP-S custom software modelling to configure Yifei's Formula Pro simulator to replicate his FIA F3 race car. This includes bespoke vehicle profiles that mirror real-world car characteristics — steering weight, pedal feel, and chassis behaviour. Yifei himself stated: "Cool Performance have set up my simulator to replicate my FIA F3 car and it couldn't be any closer." This level of bespoke tuning is one of the key differentiators of the Cool Performance platform.
How much does Ye Yifei's sim rig cost?
Ye Yifei's Cool Performance Formula Pro setup is estimated at ~£26,345 (approximately $33,500 USD). This is the standard Formula Pro price which includes the cockpit (~£15,000), Leo Bodnar 26Nm wheelbase (~£4,000), CP-S hydraulic pedals (~£3,500), CP-S carbon fibre wheel (~£2,000), custom formula seat (~£1,500), Samsung 49" Odyssey G9 (~£900), and a water-cooled PC (~£2,500).
Is Ye Yifei's sim rig sponsored?
Ye Yifei is listed on the Cool Performance testimonials page as a Formula Pro owner with an endorsement quote. Cool Performance states that professional drivers choose their simulators "not due to sponsorships or marketing arrangements, but because of the proven success of its simulators." The relationship indicates genuine product use, though the exact commercial terms are not publicly disclosed.

📚 Sources & Verification

Primary Sources (Tier 1)

Secondary Sources (Tier 2)

📋 Verification Methodology: Equipment verified by cross-referencing Cool Performance official testimonials page and standard Formula Simulator specifications. Driver testimonial quote confirms bespoke F3 car replication. Components match the standard Formula Pro build. Last audit: February 2026.