Asetek Forte Formula Steering Wheel for Formula and GT Sim Racing

The Asetek Forte Formula Steering Wheel is a premium Sim Racing wheel from Asetek Racing. Inspired by the steering wheels found in modern Formula and race cars, it is designed for drivers who want extensive controls, a secure and compact grip, and the ability to adjust vehicle settings during a race without taking their hands off the wheel.

Its strengths go far beyond its motorsport-inspired appearance. The Forte Formula Steering Wheel combines a carbon construction, magnetic shifters, an extensive selection of buttons and encoders, programmable ARGB lighting, and detailed configuration through RaceHub. This makes it suitable for titles such as Assetto Corsa Competizione, iRacing, Formula racing games, Assetto Corsa, rFactor 2, and many other PC-based Sim Racing titles.

Materials and Design of the Asetek Forte Formula Steering Wheel

The front of the Asetek Forte Formula Steering Wheel features a 2 mm woven carbon-fiber faceplate. It gives the wheel a premium appearance while also adding structural rigidity. The main chassis is made from a carbon-fiber-reinforced composite, with a forged-carbon-style finish around the outer housing.

Inside the wheel is a metal spider structure designed to increase rigidity and reduce flex. This is particularly important when the wheel is used with a high-torque Direct Drive Wheelbase, as excessive flex can reduce the clarity and precision of Force Feedback reaching the driver’s hands.

With the Regular Handles installed, the wheel measures approximately 290 mm across. Its compact dimensions are well suited to Formula, GT3, and Prototype cars, which generally benefit from quicker steering response than larger round steering wheels.

The standard handles are made from silicone rubber, providing a soft yet secure grip that is also easy to clean. They can be used comfortably with bare hands or Sim Racing gloves and remain secure during longer driving sessions.

Real-World Driving Feel: Compact, Responsive, and Confident

With its 290 mm diameter, the Forte Formula Steering Wheel delivers a fast and direct steering feel. Direction changes feel immediate, making it especially suitable for cars with quick steering ratios, including Formula, LMP, and GT3 machinery.

When paired with a Direct Drive Wheelbase, the rigid construction allows Force Feedback details to reach the driver’s hands clearly. This includes the buildup of steering load through a corner, the first signs of front-end grip loss, and the vibrations produced when driving over kerbs.

The buttons and thumb encoders are positioned close to the driver’s fingers, allowing adjustments to Brake Balance, Traction Control, ABS, Engine Map, and other settings without releasing the handles. This is particularly useful in online competition and endurance racing, where car settings may need to be changed according to tyre condition, fuel load, weather, and track conditions.

At the rear, the wheel is equipped with two contactless magnetic shifter paddles. Gear changes feel crisp and clearly defined. Because the system does not rely on conventional mechanical contact switches, it also helps reduce wear and is well suited to frequent long-term use.

Controls and LED Lighting for Serious Sim Racing

The Asetek Forte Formula Steering Wheel supports up to 128 input options through RaceHub configuration. The front layout includes 12 push buttons, two toggle switches, two seven-way switches, three 12-position rotary encoders, and six thumb encoders.

This extensive control layout is suitable for race cars with complex electronic systems. Drivers can assign dedicated controls for the Pit Limiter, Radio, Flashing Lights, Wipers, Brake Bias, Traction Control, ABS, Engine Map, and many other functions without needing to reach for a keyboard during a race.

The wheel also features 49 programmable ARGB LEDs, including rev lights, flag lights, illuminated button surrounds, and lighting around the rotary switches. These can display engine speed, track flags, vehicle status, or simply help identify controls in a dark room.

One important point is that the Forte Formula Steering Wheel does not include a built-in display. Drivers who want gear position, RPM, lap data, and full telemetry directly on the wheel may need to use a separate dashboard or consider the Formula Pro model, which includes an integrated screen.

Customising the Asetek Forte Formula Steering Wheel Through RaceHub

RaceHub is the main software used to configure Asetek Racing hardware. Users can map buttons, switches, encoders, and paddles according to their preferences. The colour, brightness, and behaviour of the LED lighting can also be adjusted in detail.

The Rev Lights can be configured with specific RPM ranges and colours for different cars. Flag Lights can display yellow flags, blue flags, and other status alerts in supported games. RaceHub also includes settings for Night Mode, Pitlane Control, Pit Limiter functions, and optional clutch paddles.

RaceHub also supports integration with SimHub for users who want more advanced lighting patterns and telemetry-based functions. This allows the Forte Formula Steering Wheel to be configured for anything from a straightforward plug-and-play setup to a highly customised profile for individual cars and games.

New users may need some time to memorise the location of every encoder and switch because the wheel includes a large number of controls. However, once the functions are organised and the supplied labels are applied, making adjustments during a race becomes much faster and more convenient than using a keyboard.

Supported Wheelbases and Upgrade Options

The Asetek Forte Formula Steering Wheel is compatible with every Asetek Racing Wheelbase, including the Initium, La Prima, Forte, and Invicta models. It uses Asetek’s Quick Release system, which transfers both power and data through the connection point. No separate USB cable, battery, or wireless connection is required on the steering wheel.

Pairing the Forte Formula Steering Wheel with an Initium Wheelbase is an attractive upgrade path for users who started with the Initium Bundle and want to improve the steering wheel first without immediately replacing the Wheelbase.

When used with the Forte 18Nm or Invicta 27Nm Wheelbase, the wheel’s rigid construction and internal metal spider help minimise flex under high Force Feedback loads. This makes it suitable for drivers who want durable equipment that can remain part of their setup for many years.

The wheel can also be upgraded with Dual-Clutch Paddles for race starts and Magnetic Input Paddles that can be assigned to DRS, Overtake, or other functions. The handles can be changed to Regular, XL, or alternative material options. However, they must come from the Formula Wheel Handle range, as the wheel does not support a round steering-wheel rim.

Who Is the Asetek Forte Formula Steering Wheel For, and Is It Worth It?

The Asetek Forte Formula Steering Wheel is best suited to Formula, GT3, and Prototype drivers who want a compact wheel with a large number of controls and the ability to adjust vehicle settings quickly during a race.

It is especially suitable for existing Asetek Racing users, as well as drivers who started with an Initium Wheelbase and want to upgrade to a more advanced steering wheel without replacing their entire setup at once.

Its main advantages include carbon materials, a rigid structure, magnetic shifters, 49 programmable LEDs, extensive RaceHub configuration, and the ability to add extra paddles or change the handles in the future.

Points to consider include the lack of an integrated display, the potentially overwhelming number of controls for beginners, and the Formula-style shape. This type of wheel is less suitable for Rally, Drift, or road cars that require greater steering rotation and frequent hand repositioning than a round wheel.

Overall, the Asetek Forte Formula Steering Wheel offers a strong balance of premium materials, extensive controls, customisation, and responsive driving feel. It is an excellent option for drivers who want serious competition-focused equipment without necessarily moving up to a more expensive steering wheel with a built-in display.