High Quality & Affordable Sim Racing Accessories
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The Thrustmaster Ferrari 296 GTB is one of those products that is very easy to dismiss if you only look at the spec sheet. It is tiny, it only has 240 degrees of rotation, it has no force feedback, and it is clearly not aimed at the same buyer who usually shops for serious sim racing hardware. But that is also exactly why I think it is worth talking about properly.
Because this is not meant to be a proper enthusiast setup. Thrustmaster is very clearly aiming this at kids, families, and complete beginners who want something fun, simple, and affordable. And when you judge it in that context instead of against much more expensive gear, it starts making a lot more sense. So here is the all you need to know version of what this wheel is, what it offers, and why I actually think it is pretty cool for the right person.
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This product is part of Thrustmaster’s T98 line, and the Ferrari 296 GTB version is the PlayStation and PC model. It is officially Ferrari licensed, inspired by the Ferrari 296 GTB, and positioned as a beginner wheel for people starting racing games or sim racing for the first time.
The wheel is built at 7:10 scale and measures 25.5 cm, or about 10 inches, in diameter. It comes bundled with a two-pedal set and a table clamp, so the idea is simple. Open the box, clamp it to a desk or table, plug it in, and start driving. That simplicity is a big part of the appeal.
I actually think Thrustmaster deserves some credit for being pretty clear about that. The whole product makes much more sense once you stop expecting it to behave like a cheap version of a serious sim wheel and instead see it as a first step into racing games. That is the category it belongs in.
The wheel uses a bungee cord centering system instead of force feedback, which means you still get automatic return to center and some steering resistance, but not the kind of motor-driven detail or strength people usually talk about in sim racing. Thrustmaster also gives it three driving profiles, selected with a Ferrari-inspired Manettino style dial, so users can switch between easier and more sensitive modes depending on skill level.
On paper, the hardware is simple. You get 240 degrees of rotation, a mostly plastic wheel, paddle shifters, standard controller-style buttons, and a bundled two-pedal set. The included pedals use Hall-effect sensors, which is actually a nice touch because it suggests the company still wanted decent long-term precision and durability even at this end of the market.
The compact size is also one of the most important things to understand. For an adult used to full-size sim wheels, this will feel more like a toy than a serious piece of hardware. But for a kid, that smaller size is not necessarily a downside at all. In fact, it probably makes the wheel easier to use, easier to store, and less intimidating overall.
The Ferrari 296 GTB version is the PlayStation and PC model, with support for PS5, PS4, and Windows. There is also the Ferrari 296 GTS version, which is the Xbox and PC alternative, so the broader T98 line is being split by platform in the usual way.
That is worth noting because it makes the bundle easier to recommend as a gift. If someone is buying for a younger player, they do not need to understand the whole sim racing ecosystem. They mostly just need to know which console the child already has and buy the right version. That may sound basic, but it matters a lot at this part of the market.
The biggest reason this product makes any sense at all is the price. The official listing I found shows the T98 Ferrari 296 GTB at 99.99 euros, and broader launch coverage placed it at 120 dollars. For a complete wheel, pedal set, and clamp bundle with Ferrari branding, that is very clearly meant to be gift territory rather than serious hardware money.
And that is where I think this thing becomes easy to understand. If you are an experienced sim racer, this is not for you. But if you are shopping for a kid who loves Ferrari, racing games, and the idea of having their own wheel setup, then this suddenly looks a lot more appealing. Small size, simple setup, recognizable badge, and a full bundle for around one hundred bucks. That is a very different conversation.
The Thrustmaster Ferrari 296 GTB is not a serious sim racing wheel, and I do not think it is pretending to be. It is a small, affordable, Ferrari-licensed starter bundle with 240 degrees of rotation, no force feedback, a compact two-pedal set, and a very clear target audience of kids and first-time players.
And honestly, that is completely fine. No, it is not something most enthusiasts should buy for themselves. But as a birthday or holiday gift for a kid who loves racing games or Ferrari, I do think this is actually pretty cool. It is simple, it looks the part, and for the money, it feels like exactly the kind of product that could get someone excited about racing games in the first place.
