General introduction - famous Ferrari F1 drivers
If someone said to me that you can have three wishes, my first would have been to get into racing, my second to be in Formula 1, my third to drive for Ferrari.
This is what the all-time famous Formula 1 driver, Gilles Villeneuve said in the beginning of his first Scuderia Ferrari team season in 1978. He may not have been the greatest winner of all-times. Throughout his short career he didn't even manage to get the title. However, just take a look at his races and you will shortly witness his dedication! He never quit and he has broken a good deal of records. That's why he is one of our test crew's leaders. He did achieve his boy dream, he managed to be hired by the team he dreamed of and he always gave his best. A little (if nothing) to do with money, it is about successfully fulfilling your dreams. Of course, if it comes to world champions, Michael Schumacher should be mentioned as well, yet numbering all our favourite drivers hardly is rational in this particular review.
F1 facts. Revealing the Ferrari F1 Wheel Add-on. Recommending the T500 RS and OpenWheeler game seat
The world's fastest and, pretty much, most expensive sport is what still gathers billions of viewers in front of their TV screens (the way it used to be) and online. Formula One is almost as popular subject as soccer is, the major difference the Formula being better appreciated even in the USA. Where alternatives to everything are present. It is arguably not that good like it used to be, because of FIA's various strict limitations through the past years, still it is always a delight to watch! And every true auto-fan knows that many technical innovations in mass-produced cars generate from the F1. Being initially implemented and used for long years in the special custom-sized cockpit cars (similar to the custom-sizing options OpenWheeler game seat provides you with, though a universal driving simulator cockpit at the same time), they are later on, added to the options of high-class cars and respectively to mass cars. The Selespeed gear changing paddles and the ABS system are among the most popular examples. However, all affordable race tickets are bought out hours after their release for the tracks worth attending, and good-positioned tickets cost about £400 pounds for a single visit. An actual racing weekend on your own, driving a Ferrari car if currently available (it usually is off-season) - thousands. Of course real is always better, we would not dare arguing this. Thanks to the US-pioneering manufacturer of electronic gaming equipment, Thrustmaster, now you have the chance of getting amazingly close to the latter continuously, by investing an incomparably smaller amount of resources - whether your time, money, physical training, etc. You should just consider enriching the top racing wheel set - Thrustmaster T500 RS PS3/PC with the newly-released Thrustmaster Ferrari F1 Wheel Add-On. The exact replica of Ferrari 2011 racing car's wheel, though made of cheaper materials (but of perfect quality for the purpose) can be mounted within a few minutes on the exclusively provided with this option official GT5 racing wheel, T500 RS . All this, extended by an ergonomic simulator seat, like the reliable OpenWheeler racing seat and F1 2011 or GT5 games, is to build up a sufficiently realistic alternative to the real thing. And you won't need a ticket or to travel abroad in order to attend. Please, stay with us while we review this unusual top-quality attachment in the paragraphs to follow. It comes at a good price for an attachment, let's find out whether it's worth it.
Ferrari F1 Wheel Add-On - key advantages, minor cons and installation. Recommending the T500 RS, TH8 RS and OW game seat
Thrustmaster wheels, regardless of the segment are well-built. The predominant low- to mid-segment sleek plastic is durable and any marks on the function buttons do not fade soon. Or easy - the correct way to state it. The higher you go, the more the metal. The top is occupied by the elite T500 RS which extended by the TH8 RS aluminium no-toy (height of 11 centimetres, way more realistic than the G25/G27 and all the rest) have the looks and the touch of a rather noble selection. This being said, the T500 RS-mountable, Thrustmaster Ferrari F1 Wheel Add-On PS3/PC is not that impressive in terms of materials. At least at first, since after a couple of hours in F1 2011, you gradually realize that the rubber-coating and plastic on the sides are exactly what you need for longer holding of a wheel in such a shape. The facing/middle part is made of reinforced stainless steel, so the body is strong enough for years of intensive usage. While the wheel itself remains light and nice to touch. Because of the thick rubber coating you won't need F1 racing gloves hence your hands will not sweat excessively despite of the particularly narrower surface you have to position them, in comparison to the T500 RS's cool 30cm wheel circle. There are as many as thirteen programmable buttons and three D-pads. And two push & pull up/down shifters - or the predecessor of the awesome road-car gear changing paddles, like the big-size responsive metal ones mounted on the matching masterpiece - the Thrustmaster T500 RS PS3/PC steering wheel. Because of the Thrustmaster Quick Release system, changing the wheels indeed takes less than a minute after you've done it a few times. Convenient, we do not like wasting time on technicalities. In details, here's the official description of all the buttons mounted on the PS3 wheel: 'two rotary encoder switches (allowing direct, on-the-track optimization of the car's race settings), eight push-buttons (with a 6.5 N dual-detent pressure), three 4.5 N metal switches with 3 positions and an automatic centering feature, two 2.5 N 8-directional D-Pads, and two up/down shifters'. All these, in addition to the three fake design-knobs (be honest and admit it, you don't really need those tyre and mix settings in game) do give you the exact looks and almost all the adjustments of a real Ferrari 150° Italia. A great carbon-fibre and monocoque hi-tech car, regardless if you are a fan of Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa or not.
Installing the cutting-edge Thrustmaster Ferrari F1 Wheel Add-On PS3/PC on your slick T500 RS PS3/PC wheel base requires a Windows PC internet-connection, to update the T500 RS's software. Not that much of an inconvenience, it is all done in a few moments and this is a one-time update. Once having done this, all you need is to load your preferred game, take an appropriate position in the OpenWheeler game seat and start your racing adventure. No need of a helmet, the severely restricting your upper body movement, HANS (Head and Neck Support) device or any seatbelts.
F1 Wheel Add-On in-game performance. Recommending the T500 RS and OpenWheeler simulator seat
The Ferrari F1 Wheel Add-On performs perfect in the F1 2011. It won't take you long to break all your records established with the T500 RS's stock wheel. The Ferrari F1 Add-On is just fantastic for precisely controlling an F1 car. The brushed-metal paddle shifters rotate with the wheel that makes high-speed turns with this specific wheel-type way easier. A further advantage here, needs to be taken into account. Accurately reflecting the authenticity - you can up- and downshift with either of the shifters. We found this particularly useful in multiple-lap races. In case you get tired at some point you can still get a Red Bull or a cup of coffee with your free hand. Alternatively, change any of your settings in either of the modes available. There's the 'Normal' mode you can chose when using the Ferrari F1 Add-On like a PS3 wheel or a PC-wheel - an overall of 17 well-responsive functions are available with the 13 action buttons and three D-pads. Selecting the 'Advanced' PC-compatible only mode, you will be provided with as much as 25 function buttons and a D-Pad that sums up to some 29 programmable functions. We are aware that these are just numbers, usually aimed to impress. Nevertheless, we do confirm that the Ferrari F1 Wheel Add-On ultimate precision settings are possible. To fully enjoy them you need some time to read about and test all the multiple set-ups available. And of course a driving simulator cockpit, like the OpenWheeler game seat or the OpenWheeler simulator seat/T500 RS bundle is truly the most suitable extension to your wheel and towards immersive realism. So, we have included a summary on our exclusive game seat in the paragraph to follow.
OpenWheeler game seat - main advantages
The OpenWheeler gaming seat is the ergonomic cockpit seating support your 60+ laps Formula One races require. Unlike the F1 racing cars, it is fully alterable in height, so any size of driver will comfortably fit any time. The seat is covered with 100% polyester, so long-lasting usage is guaranteed. Last but not least, the chassis is made of stainless steel and you can alter the pedals distance of your steering wheel set by effortlessly sliding on its metal rails. The OpenWheeler game seat is compatible with any steering wheel set currently available for every single gaming platform. You can position it on any kind of surface without any worries, because in addition to its built-in front wheels (for ideal mobility) there are hard-floor protectors included. The OpenWheeler simulator is also fully-foldable, so you can easily store it any place you'd like (a wardrobe, even under your bed) when not in use. Owing to its ergonomic support and ultimate compatibility it will become the long-lasting permanent component of your simulator equipment!
Advising on the F1 Wheel Add-On single and bundled prices
The single price of the Thrustmaster Ferrari F1 Wheel Add-On PS3 /PC is just with free next business day shipping provided for any . However, obtaining just the wheel add-on is insufficient for game play. That's why we have designed a couple of reasonably discounted bundles for your convenience.
The OpenWheeler simulator seat can be ordered for . Do order it in a bundle with the Thrustmaster Ferrari F1 Wheel Add-On and the total price is only . Thus, except for having them both delivered to your door at once, you will save . The OpenWheeler racing seat can be used for both your PC and PS 3 simulator gaming, forming a complete driving simulator in any size of room you have. "; } else { echo " Free next working day shipping to any UK-address. The price is VAT-free.
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In case you already own the sterling OpenWheeler gaming seat simulator or the OpenWheeler Plus and the TH8 RS transmission, there's again a suitable offer we have. The Thrustmaster T500 RS PS3/PC steering wheel set (single price ) + the Thrustmaster Ferrari F1 Wheel Add-On PS3/PC (single price ) are available for merely . Do not hesitate to order the cutting-edge T500 RS 30-cm 1080-degrees rotation driving wheel set in bundled with the Ferrari F1 Wheel Add-On extension, and you will save . Free next business day shipping within the boundaries of the United Kingdom is provided. "; } else { echo " The price is VAT-free.
The ultimate Formula 1 addicts full driving simulator bundle you can have is the: OpenWheeler game seat (separate price ) + Thrustmaster T500 RS steering wheel (separate price ) + Thrustmaster Ferrari F1 Wheel Add-On (separate price ) = . Save as much as and spare at least three of your wishes. You can use them for better qualification times and records or anything else important to you.
