The Fanatec Podium DD2 is a 25 Nm direct drive base. The ClubSport V2.5 is a belt driven base with 8 Nm. Very different hardware, but in F1 2020 they run the same in game values. You make up the difference in the tuning menu: FF 45 on the DD2, FF 100 on the ClubSport.
F1 2020 Podium DD2 and ClubSport settings
| In game setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Vibration and force feedback | On |
| Vibration and force feedback strength | 75 |
| On track effects | 25 |
| Rumble strip effects | 20 |
| Off track effects | 20 |
| Wheel damper | 0 |
| Understeer enhance | Off |
| Maximum wheel rotation (F1 and F2) | 360° |
The values for smaller wheels are side by side in my F1 2020 wheel settings guide.
Podium DD2 tuning menu
| Code | What it is | Value |
|---|---|---|
| SEN | Steering angle | Auto |
| FF | Total force feedback strength | 45 |
| FFS | Force feedback scaling | Peak |
| NDP | Natural damper | 22 |
| NFR | Natural friction | 1 |
| NIN | Natural inertia | 6 |
| INT | Interpolation (smoothing) | 2 |
| FEI | Force effect intensity | 100 |
| FOR | Force effects | 100 |
| SPR | Spring effects | 100 |
| DPR | Damper effects | 100 |
| SHO | Rim vibration motors | 100 |
| BLI | Brake level indicator | Default |
| BRF | Brake force (load cell pedals) | Default |
FF 45. Less than half of what the base can do, and still far more than any belt driven wheel. An F1 car has power steering. The real wheel is not as heavy as people think, and you turn it a lot of times in a lap. If you run the DD2 at 100 you get tired, and then you get slow.
NDP 22, NFR 1, NIN 6. A motor this strong needs a little damping, friction and inertia to feel like a steering column and not like a bare motor. These three keep the wheel calm on the straights. Small numbers are enough.
INT 2. Low smoothing. The DD2 has the detail, so let it through. If the signal from the game feels grainy, go to 3 or 4.
SEN Auto lets the game set the steering angle.
A word on safety
25 Nm can hurt you. If the car hits a wall, the wheel snaps hard. Keep your thumbs on the outside of the rim, not hooked inside, and let go in a crash. Raise FF 5 points at a time when you test.
ClubSport V2.5 tuning menu
| Code | What it is | Value |
|---|---|---|
| SEN | Steering angle | Auto |
| FF | Total force feedback strength | 100 |
| SHO | Rim vibration motors | 100 |
| BLI | Brake level indicator | Default |
| DRI | Drift mode | -02 |
| FOR | Force effects | 100 |
| SPR | Spring effects | 100 |
| DPR | Damper effects | 100 |
| BRF | Brake force (load cell pedals) | Default |
| FEI | Force effect intensity | 100 |
The ClubSport uses all of its 8 Nm, so FF stays at 100. DRI -02 adds a touch of damping to stop the belt driven base moving around on the straights. If the wheel feels slow in quick direction changes, try DRI -01 or Off.
Calibration settings
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Steering deadzone | 0 |
| Steering linearity | 5 |
| Steering saturation | 0 |
| Throttle deadzone | 0 |
| Throttle linearity | 0 |
| Throttle saturation | 0 |
| Brake deadzone | 0 |
| Brake linearity | 0 |
| Brake saturation | 0 |
Steering linearity 5 takes a little sensitivity out of the first degrees of steering. On a base this direct it helps you keep the car straight at top speed. If you want a fully linear wheel, 0 is fine too.
With load cell pedals, set the brake force on the base so that a hard, repeatable push gives you 100% in the calibration screen. Do not fix a pedal problem with saturation if you can fix it on the pedal.
Force feedback settings, and why
Strength 75. The total force is already set on the base. In the game, 75 leaves room so the signal does not clip in the fastest corners. I would move FF on the base to change the weight, and leave this alone.
On track effects 25. The DD2 shows every bump clearly, so this is enough to feel the surface.
Rumble strip effects 20. On a strong base, kerbs hit hard. Keep this low or a lap of Monza is a workout.
Off track effects 20. Low.
Wheel damper 0. The damping comes from the base. Adding the game damper on top makes the wheel slow.
Understeer enhance off. With this much detail you feel the front tyres give up without help.
What to change when it does not feel right
One change at a time, three laps each.
| Problem | Change | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel too heavy, arms tired after ten laps | FF on the DD2 down to 35 or 40 | Less total force, same detail |
| Wheel too light | FF on the DD2 up to 50 or 55 | More total force |
| Fast corners all feel the same | In game strength down to 65 | The signal is clipping |
| Wheel oscillates on the straight | NDP up to 30 | More natural damping |
| Wheel feels heavy and slow to turn | NIN down to 2, NFR Off | Less fake weight |
| Feedback feels grainy | INT up to 4 | More smoothing |
| Kerbs are too violent | Rumble strip effects down to 10 | Softer kerbs |
| ClubSport feels vague around the centre | DRI to -01 or Off | Less damping |
Next steps
- A good car setup is worth more than any wheel setting. All 22 tracks are in the F1 2020 setups hub.
- On a different wheel: Fanatec CSL DD and CSL Elite, Logitech G29 and G920, Thrustmaster T300, TX and TMX.
- Moved to the next game? Here are my F1 2021 Podium DD2 settings.
- Same base in other sims: ACC Fanatec settings and my general Podium DD2 and ClubSport settings.
- More on the base itself in my Fanatec Podium F1 DD2 review.
FAQ
What are the best F1 2020 settings for the Fanatec Podium DD2?
On the base: SEN Auto, FF 45, FFS Peak, NDP 22, NFR 1, NIN 6, INT 2, FEI 100. In the game: strength 75, on track effects 25, rumble strip effects 20, off track effects 20, wheel damper 0, understeer enhance off.
Do these settings work on the Podium DD1?
Yes, as a start. The DD1 has 20 Nm against 25 Nm for the DD2, so I would raise FF from 45 to about 55 to get the same weight.
Why is FF only 45 on the DD2?
Because 25 Nm is far more than an F1 car needs. At 45 the wheel is heavy enough to feel the tyres and light enough to drive a full race distance. More force does not make you faster.
What should I set on the ClubSport V2.5?
SEN Auto, FF 100, DRI -02, FEI 100, with FOR, SPR and DPR at 100. The in game values are the same as for the DD2.
Should the wheel damper be on with a direct drive base?
In the game, no. Set it to 0 and use the natural damper on the base (NDP) instead. It is smoother and you can change it from the wheel.
What steering angle should I use?
SEN on Auto on the base and 360° in the game for F1 and F2 cars.