How VPG Sim Designs a Steering Wheel

I recently chatted with Emanuele Gerbino, a director of UK sim steering wheel manufacturer VPG Sim about their new Ford Officially Licensed Mustang GT3 Wheel, what they bring to the sim racing ecosystem and where sim racing fits into motorsport. Enjoy!

Motorsport Prospects: What is the background of VPG Sim?

Emanuele Gerbino: VPG Sim’s story is one of passion, innovation, and relentless pursuit of excellence. What started as two guys tinkering with a 3D printer in a garage has grown into a cutting-edge company that’s now part of bf1systems, the largest designer and manufacturer of GT3 steering wheels in the world.

I’m a structural engineer with expertise in FEA and manufacturing processes, while Mike, my co-founder, is a product designer with a background in yacht interiors. We met through an online racing team, and during a conversation about improving our own rigs, we joked about building our own steering wheel. That spark turned into a reality when we printed our first wheel, which caught the attention of our teammates.

From there, we realized the simracing industry was far bigger than we imagined—and growing fast. We transitioned from 3D printing to working with carbon fiber, aluminum, and real motorsport-grade electronics. With each step, we combined our engineering and design expertise to create groundbreaking products that pushed the boundaries of what simracing equipment could achieve

MP: How did you get started and why?

EG: VPG Sim started with a simple idea and a lot of passion. Mike and I met through an online racing team and bonded over our shared obsession with simracing. One day, while redesigning our own rigs, we had a casual conversation: “How cool would it be to build our own steering wheel?” That one question set everything in motion.

That simple idea became a mission. We bought a 3D printer, set it up in my garage, and started printing our first prototype. It was rough around the edges, but when our teammates showed real interest, we realized we were onto something bigger. What started as a hobby quickly grew into a vision—to create something that didn’t just meet our standards but redefined them.

Balancing our day jobs and late nights in the garage, we moved from 3D-printed parts to advanced materials like carbon fiber and aluminum. We immersed ourselves in the world of motorsport technology, studying the same electronics used in professional racing. With each step, our passion drove us to push further, leading to the creation of our first breakthrough product, the Elemento—a limited-edition wheel crafted from premium materials and built to rival the best in motorsport.

As we listened to the community and combined our engineering and design expertise, the journey took on a life of its own. We weren’t just making wheels; we were building connections between the simracing and real motorsport worlds. The launch of the VPGT, the first full carbon fiber wheel, and proved just how far we’d come.

From messing around in a garage with a 3D printer to working with one of the biggest names in motorsport, our journey is proof of what passion, persistence, and a bit of crazy belief in an idea can do. We started with a dream and a lot of trial and error. Now, we’re building gear that helps racers push themselves further and feel like they’re part of something bigger.

MP: You say that your partnership with BF1 enables you to integrate real-world racing dynamics and feedback directly into your simulations, bridging the gap between actual motorsports and virtual racing. How so?

EG: Our partnership with bf1systems enables us to deliver an unmatched racing experience by integrating real-world dynamics and feedback into our simulation products. What sets us apart is that we don’t just replicate real-world steering wheels—we use the actual steering wheels designed for race cars and adapt them to excel in the sim world.

A real-world steering wheel can be replicated in form, shape, and even materials, but replicating how it’s constructed—the craftsmanship, structural integrity, and exact design—makes all the difference. bf1systems has over 30 years of motorsport engineering experience, including the development of steering wheels for top racing manufacturers worldwide. As part of bf1systems, we have access to the exact same components used in professional racing, allowing us to offer something truly unique: the real deal, optimized for simracing.

Take the Mustang GT3 sim wheel as an example. It’s not just inspired by the real thing; it is the real thing. Built with the same pre-preg carbon fiber body and grips used in the Mustang GT3 race car, this wheel combines our sim-specific electronics to deliver an experience that’s as close to driving the actual car as possible. Its construction ensures incredible lightness and responsiveness, enhancing force feedback detail to a level no replica could match.

And here’s the exciting part: the Mustang GT3 wheel is just the beginning. It’s the first product to come out of this groundbreaking partnership with bf1systems, and there’s a lot more coming in 2025. If you think this wheel is impressive, wait until you see what’s next. Keep an eye on us—we’re just getting started.

MP: How did you develop your steering wheel?

EG: In one word: engineering. Designing a steering wheel is a complex yet rewarding process that goes far beyond aesthetics. It starts with conceptual sketches, where we define the wheel’s overall appearance and functionalities based on feedback from our simracing community and the demands of racers. Once the design is finalized, the real challenge begins.

The exterior design is only the starting point—the intricate work lies in the engineering. We carefully select components such as buttons, rotaries, shifters, and clutches to ensure they meet the highest standards of quality, performance, reliability and durability. Then comes the task of integrating these components into the wheel while maintaining optimal weight distribution and achieving the lightest possible design. This balance is critical for creating a wheel that feels responsive and precise.

The next step is to engineer the assembly process. In our early days, assembling a single wheel could take several days, but through refinement and efficiency improvements, we’ve reduced this to about three hours while maintaining the highest standards of craftsmanship.

From concept to completion, developing a steering wheel typically takes 8 to 12 months. This includes prototyping, rigorous testing, and refining both the product and the assembly process. Every detail, from the feel of a button to the balance of the wheel, is meticulously engineered to deliver an exceptional experience for simracers. It’s a process that blends technical expertise, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.

MP: Who are you targeting with your wheel?

EG: We’re targeting simracers who want more than just a tool—they want an experience. Our wheels are designed for those who aim to replicate the feeling of being on a real-world track, where every detail matters. These are the simracers who value precision, consistency, and pushing their car to its absolute limit, striving for that perfect lap.

Our products also cater to those who appreciate the best of the best. Simracers who take pride in owning high-end, meticulously engineered gear that not only performs flawlessly but feels like a masterpiece. It’s about more than functionality—it’s about having equipment that reflects the dedication and passion you bring to every race.

Whether you’re chasing victories, enhancing your skills, or simply looking for the most authentic and premium simracing experience, our wheels are crafted for those who refuse to compromise. If you’re after the closest connection to real-world racing and demand excellence in every detail, we’re building for you.

MP: Do you feel sim racing offers an accessible pathway to real world motorsport?

EG: Absolutely, sim racing has become an incredibly accessible pathway to real-world motorsport. It offers aspiring drivers a cost-effective way to develop essential skills like car control, racecraft, and decision-making under pressure—all from the comfort of their home. While traditional motorsport can be prohibitively expensive, sim racing breaks down those barriers, allowing more people to experience the thrill of competition and refine their abilities.

With high-quality hardware and realistic software, sim racers can jump straight into higher categories of motorsport. Many have proven this by transitioning directly from virtual racing to real-world competition, showing that the barriers to entry are lower than ever. Sim racing isn’t just an alternative—it’s a legitimate pathway to the top tiers of motorsport.

MP: Any final thoughts on what you are doing and how it benefits sim racers?

EG: At VPG Sim, we’re more than just a company—we’re a boutique manufacturer with a personal touch. Every product we create reflects our passion for sim racing and motorsport, and every customer is treated like an individual, not a sales order number. We call each customer by name because we know that this connection matters as much as the products we deliver.

Our mission is simple: to give sim racers the same experience we would want if we were in the market for a new product. That means no compromises—only the highest-quality materials, cutting-edge technology, and meticulous attention to detail. We strive to create tools that enhance the joy of racing, improve performance, and immerse you in the thrill of motorsport.

 By integrating real-world motorsport technology into our designs, we provide sim racers with an authentic experience that pushes the boundaries of what’s possible. Whether you’re chasing lap records or just savoring the joy of racing, we aim to make every moment unforgettable. At VPG Sim, it’s not just about building products; it’s about building a community of racers who share our love for motorsport.

You can find out more about VPG Sim at their website https://vpgsim.co.uk/

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