Motorsport news

A new buyer's guide compares three popular direct drive racing wheels across key performance and value metrics for sim racing enthusiasts in 2026. The comparison examines the MOZA R5 Pro, Fanatec CSL DD, and Thrustmaster T598, evaluating torque output, force feedback quality, bundled pedal options, simulator compatibility, software features, upgrade paths, and overall value for money. The analysis is intended to help prospective buyers navigate the mid-range to premium segment of the sim racing hardware market.

Thrustmaster has launched a promotional campaign reducing the price of two direct-drive wheel bases by €50. The discount applies to both the T598 Servo Base and T818 Black Edition, running until 15 September 2026. The offer targets sim racers looking to upgrade to direct-drive technology, which offers improved force feedback fidelity compared to belt-driven alternatives.

The fourth round of the Polish Racing Car Championship (WSMP) will take an unusual format this season, with competitors split across two circuits in two countries over consecutive weekends. The majority of drivers will compete at Slovakia Ring this weekend, marking the circuit's return to the Polish championship calendar after a two-year absence. The event will run concurrently with the FIA Central European Zone (CEZ) Championships, allowing Polish competitors to measure themselves against international rivals. The main classes will feature a larger grid of prototypes, GT3 cars, and TCR machinery as a result. Beyond the headline categories, Slovakia Ring will also host the national divisions of Maluch Trophy and RN2, plus the 3 Series Cup support series. The weekend format differs from standard WSMP rounds, with only two races per class instead of three, though a 1.5-point multiplier ensures the same total points are available. The endurance championship will also award points, with the CEZ-regulated race shortened to one hour instead of two, and driver changes optional. The second part of round four will take place a week later at Audru Ring in Pärnu, Estonia. The venue previously hosted the full WSMP grid in collaboration with the Baltic Touring Car Championship (BaTCC) two years ago. This time, only national division 6 and the R-Sport Cup support series will compete there, with the BULL RUSH Super S Cup not travelling to the Estonian venue.

A decade after its initial release, Automobilista continues to draw attention for its sophisticated approach to vehicle dynamics simulation. Despite achieving less commercial traction than its successor, the original title has maintained a reputation among sim racing enthusiasts for the depth of its physics modelling. Traxion.GG has examined the enduring appeal of the simulator, including commentary from Niels Heusinkveld, the physics lead behind the project. The retrospective explores how the title's technical foundation has aged and why it remains relevant to the sim racing community.

The 61st Trofeo Luigi Fagioli hillclimb in Gubbio will serve as the penultimate round of the Italian Supersalita championship, attracting a high-calibre entry list across multiple classes. The 4km high-speed course in Umbria is expected to deliver competitive racing and spectator appeal, with entry lists available for both modern and historic categories. In the top-tier competition, Simone Faggioli, a multiple Italian hillclimb champion and European hillclimb champion, will be among the principal contenders, piloting a Nova NP 01-2 C Judd. Stefano di Fulvio arrives as a major challenger in his Nova NP 01-2 C Honda Turbo, having demonstrated strong form throughout the season. Luigi Fazzino will campaign an Osella PA30 Zytek Evo, while Mirko Torsellini brings a Norma M20FC Zytek after a season that included victory at Monte Bondone. Francesco Conticelli (Nova NP 01-2 Zytek), Franco Caruso (Nova NP 01-2 C Zytek), Samuele Cassibba (Nova NP 01-2 C Judd), and Sebastien Petit (Nova NP 01-2 C Honda Turbo) are also expected to feature prominently. Additional frontrunners include Achille Lombardi (Osella PA30 Judd), Matteo Moratelli (Nova NP 01-2 C Honda Turbo), Mario Massaglia (Nova NP 01-2 C Honda Turbo), Leonardo Chesini (Nova NP 01-2 C Mugen, making his debut at this event), and Fabien Bouduban (Norma M20FC Zytek). The 2-litre E2-SC class features Giancarlo Maroni (Nova NP 01-2 C Fiat Turbo), Salvatore Castellano (Nova NP 01-2 Synergy), Tommaso Carbone (Osella PA2000 Evo Honda), and Andrea Pezzani (Osella PA2000 Evo Honda) among the contenders. In the sub-1.6-litre E2-SC category, Andrea Santo di Caro has dominated the Italian Supersalita season in his Nova NP 03 C Aprilia and will be favoured to perform well. Michele Puglisi (Nova NP 03 C Aprilia), Filippo Ferretti (Wolf GB08 Thunder Aprilia), and Michele Gregori (Nova NP 03 C Aprilia) are also expected to challenge. Gerardo Rosa (Osella PA21 JrB Aprilia) and Matteo de Luca (Osella PA21 JrB BMW) represent further competitive entries in this class.

Rennsport has outlined its development priorities for the remainder of 2026 and hinted at a significant car manufacturer announcement planned for the SimRacing Expo. The sim racing title has experienced a quieter period following its transition to self-publishing, which initially created a backlog in game updates. The studio subsequently released a series of updates in rapid succession to address the delay.

Fanatec has been appointed as the official sim racing hardware supplier for Goodwood Motor Circuit in West Sussex, England. The partnership will see the company supply and upgrade simulation equipment across the venue, with new simulator experiences planned as part of the arrangement. The deal marks an expansion of Fanatec's presence in the UK grassroots and enthusiast sim racing market, positioning the hardware manufacturer's wheels, pedals and cockpit systems at one of Britain's most prominent historic racing venues.

The Italian National Hillclimb Championship reaches its penultimate round this weekend with the 61st edition of the Trofeo Luigi Fagioli near Gubbio in Umbria. The event carries double-coefficient scoring as one of two championship finals. Simone Faggioli, competing for Best Lap and representing ACI Team Italia, will contest the hillclimb as the series approaches its conclusion.

Polyphony Digital has expanded the engine swap catalogue in Gran Turismo 7 with ten new powertrain options. The update includes unconventional combinations such as a kei car engine fitted to a Caterham, alongside multiple V8 variants for the Toyota Chaser and other vehicles. Engine swaps remain a core customisation feature in the racing simulator, allowing players to experiment with non-standard powerplant configurations for both competitive and recreational driving.

The 44th Coppa Sila, one of Italy's most established hillclimb events, will take place from 28–30 August on the technical SP 256 course near Cosenza. Organised by the Automobile Club Cosenza, the event counts as the 12th round of the Italian Southern Mountain Speed Championship. The Coppa Sila has long been a fixture on the national hillclimb calendar, drawing competitors to the demanding mountain layout in Calabria.

The market for iRacing setups has evolved into a subscription-based business model that extends beyond simple configuration files. What began as shared tuning data has grown into a comprehensive service offering telemetry analysis, driver coaching, and race preparation support. Setup providers now bundle their offerings with additional services designed to help drivers extract maximum performance from their cars. The subscription approach allows customers ongoing access to updated configurations, video tutorials, and personalized guidance rather than one-time purchases of individual files. This shift reflects broader changes in how sim racing communities monetize expertise and performance data.

Fanatec has announced the launch of the Podium Pedals Sport, a new entry-level addition to its premium pedal lineup. The product will become available in late September at a retail price of €599.95. The Podium Pedals Sport features aluminium pedal plates and is positioned below the existing Podium Pedals Formula in Fanatec's product hierarchy, offering a more accessible price point for sim racers seeking quality pedal hardware without the cost of the flagship Formula model.