To put the conclusion first: the Cube Controls Formula Pro is the pinnacle of formula-specific steering rims from a company involved in developing simulators for F1 teams. It does not carry an F1 licence, but the company behind it develops hardware for real F1 team simulators. That background has established it in sim racing as a rim that comes as close as possible to a real F1 car. It is a niche product for the most advanced drivers pursuing an authentic F1 experience—and unnecessary for everyone else.
- 1. My verdict in 30 seconds
- 2. What is the Cube Controls Formula Pro? A rim with F1 team simulator roots
- 3. The shock of being “too realistic to drive”
- 4. The tyre-management barrier: a professional driver’s reality
- 5. Moving into F1-licensed motion simulators
- 6. A ¥700,000 ultimate steering setup: the sim racer’s endgame
- 7. Who it is for—and who should avoid it
- 8. Related videos
- 9. Frequently asked questions
- 10. Read next
My verdict in 30 seconds
My conclusion from discussing it across three Picar Channel videos is that the Cube Controls Formula Pro occupies the position of an authenticity-first rim descended from an F1 simulator developer. It is seriously focused hardware that made me think, “It is so realistic that I can’t drive it properly.” It only shows its real value when paired with a high-end wheelbase such as the Simucube 2 Ultimate. This is not a product for the average buyer; it is an endgame option for the most advanced sim racers.
What is the Cube Controls Formula Pro? A rim with F1 team simulator roots
The latest series from “rFactor” is “Formula Pro.” While it does not have a licence for F1 machinery, it is a “formula car” made by a company that develops simulators for F1 teams, so in theory it could be called “the most realistic F1 experience.” Particular attention has been paid to the engine sound, which is reminiscent of a V10 engine. Formula Pro had only just been released, so I decided to experience its realism straight away.
— From Picar Channel’s “The Latest and Greatest F1 Simulator”
If you want to explore more options, also see my Assetto Corsa EVO Review: Tyre Model, GT7 Comparison and PS5 Potential and Logitech G RS50 Official Specifications Guide: 8 N·m, PS5 and PC Compatibility.
Cube Controls is an Italian steering rim manufacturer with a background in developing hardware for real F1 team simulators. The Formula Pro is commonly fitted to high-end wheelbases such as the Simucube 2 Ultimate as a rim that comes closest to a real F1 car.
The shock of being “too realistic to drive”
The shock of it being so realistic that I “couldn’t drive it.” When I actually drove Formula Pro, I was overwhelmed by its realism. Honestly, it was so realistic that I could not drive it properly. I have never driven a modern F1 car, but based on my experience with many racing simulators, there is no doubt that, in theory, this is the closest experience to F1.
— From the same video
My unfiltered reaction—“It is so realistic that I can’t drive it properly” and “this is the closest experience to F1”—captures the essence of Formula Pro. This is not a sim simply designed to be fun; it is a sim for real racers to train in, not hardware the average user can just unbox and enjoy.
The tyre-management barrier: a professional driver’s reality
The most difficult part was tyre management. At the start of a run, the tyres are completely cold and have very little grip. If I entered a corner in that condition, the car would easily understeer, preventing me from following the line I wanted. The brakes barely worked as well, and I would run off track in no time. I experienced firsthand just how important it is when professional drivers say they need to “warm up the tyres.” After one lap, the tyres finally began to warm up a little. The wheel became heavier and the feedback from the road surface came through more clearly. But then I locked a tyre under heavy braking and created a “flat spot.”
— From the same video
Experiences such as “warming the tyres” and “creating a flat spot” are challenges real F1 drivers deal with every day. A Formula Pro + rFactor 2 setup is a rare environment in which an individual can experience that reality of a professional driver.
Moving into F1-licensed motion simulators
An official announcement says an F1-licensed motion simulator based on rFactor 2 is now in development!
— From Picar Channel’s “Development of an F1-Licensed Motion Simulator”
The rFactor 2-based motion simulator into which Formula Pro is incorporated is serious equipment, developed as an F1-licensed product and also used for real-driver training. The Cube Controls Formula Pro, which can be purchased privately, is a rim that inherits that lineage from real simulator hardware.
A ¥700,000 ultimate steering setup: the sim racer’s endgame
After spending a total of ¥700,000! I reveal the steering wheel in the ultimate sim racing setup.
— From Picar Channel’s “The Ultimate Sim Racing Steering Wheel After Spending ¥700,000”
This video shows the upper limit of what a sim racer can invest in a steering rim. Cube Controls-style rims cost in the hundreds of thousands of yen, and pairing one with a Simucube 2 Ultimate (¥400,000) creates a system costing more than ¥700,000 in total.
Who it is for—and who should avoid it
✅ Recommended for
- Professional-minded drivers pursuing a real F1 experience at home
- Real-world racers aiming to become F1 or F2 drivers
- Extremely advanced users who already own a high-end wheelbase such as the Simucube 2 Ultimate
- Business owners and collectors with no upper limit on their equipment budget
❌ Not recommended for
- Your first direct-drive wheel → choose a CSL DD (¥47,000) or DD Pro instead
- Anyone looking for a sim that is simply fun to drive → GT7 / iRacing / ACC
- Those who mainly drive anything other than F1 or formula cars → a general-purpose rim is enough
Related videos
- The Latest and Greatest F1 Simulator: rFactor 2 + Formula Pro
- F1-Licensed Motion Simulator Based on rFactor 2
- The Ultimate Sim Racing Steering Wheel After Spending ¥700,000
Frequently asked questions
Q1. Is it F1-licensed?
A. It does not have an F1 licence. However, as a formula car from a company that develops simulators for F1 teams, it theoretically provides the most realistic F1 experience.
Q2. What wheelbase do I need?
A. A high-end direct-drive wheelbase such as the Simucube 2 Ultimate / Pro is recommended. It can also be fitted to a Fanatec DD2 / DD1, but Cube Controls reaches its full potential with the Simucube ecosystem.
Q3. Can I use it with vehicles other than F1 cars?
A. Since it is designed specifically for formula cars, a general-purpose rim will often be easier to use for GT3 cars and road cars. It makes sense to treat it as dedicated equipment for F1, F2 and formula titles.
