Fanatec Podium Pedals Preview | The Ultimate Load Cell Experience?

Since CORSAIR's acquisition of Fanatec, they've been looking to revitalise their sim racing offerings and reclaim market share from the likes of Moza and Simagic.

Kicking off the new generation in 2026, Fanatec are releasing their new Podium collection, including the Podium pedal sets in both formula and sports car style configurations.

Features

Both 2 and 3 pedal sets are constructed from diecast and CNC machined aluminium and feature a load cell brake pedal capable of reading 200 kg.

Fanatec boasts a new patented elastomer compression control system on the brake pedals, which claims to let the elastomers compress without ever becoming overstressed, even under heavy braking. The system cups the elastomers in separate compartments, each of which has a metal ring surrounding it, which can be wound back and forth to quickly adjust the compression and pedal travel without the use of tools.

This system of ring adjusted travel is also used to adjust the preload on the clutch pedal in the 3 pedal setup, which also features a tool free adjustable mechanical bite point.

The 3 pedal setup features a metal footplate and integrated lip heel stop, whilst the formula pedals have carbon fibre heel cups that move with the pedals, along with included grip tape for the pedal faces, keeping your foot safe and stable at all times.

Release

The Fanatec Podium range will release sometime in Q1 of 2026, with no price information yet available. It will be interesting to see where in the price range Fanatec places these pedal sets. It's clear that a lot of thought has gone into the design of the Podium pedals and making them the best load cell pedals on the market, but the technology within them is nothing new and brands like Moza and Conspit are making load cell pedals more and more affordable.

It might be concerning to some hardcore users that Fanatec's top of the range pedal offerings aren't hydraulic pedals, something you can get with the Asetek Invicta pedals, for example, and don't offer any upgrades to feature active pedals, which Simucube and Moza offer in various price ranges.

If Fanatec are going to recover to the top of the pile, they will need to return to releasing innovative products with groundbreaking technology, but maybe this is the first step: conquering the masses.