Just days ahead of a new edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Thrustmaster has used the most iconic endurance racing stage to unveil one of the most striking peripherals of recent years: the Ferrari 499P Centenary Winner Edition, a full-scale replica of the steering wheel used on Ferrari’s Hypercar.
The name is no coincidence. The product pays tribute to Ferrari’s historic victory at the centenary edition of Le Mans in 2023, a triumph that marked the Italian manufacturer’s return to the top tier of endurance racing and the start of a dominant run that has made the 499P one of the most successful prototypes of the Hypercar era.
A wheel that replicates the real car down to the smallest detail
The new wheel stands out for offering an extremely faithful reproduction of the original. Its design keeps the same layout of buttons, dials, and controls found in the racing car, while also adding elements designed for modern sim racing.
Among its most notable features are:
- Integrated 4.3-inch display with graphics inspired by the real vehicle.
- 15 RPM LEDs for visual engine speed monitoring.
- 10 signal LEDs for displaying race information.
- 11 programmable buttons, plus a D-Pad style control.
- Four metal rotary dials.
- Four toggle switches.
- Six rear paddles, combining carbon fiber and metal.
- Rear section made of hand-molded carbon fiber.
The result is a peripheral that aims to bring the experience of a contemporary Hypercar to the most demanding enthusiasts.
Exclusivity as the main selling point
However, the most striking aspect of the launch isn’t its technology, but its availability.
Thrustmaster has confirmed that only 499 individually numbered units will be produced, a figure that matches the name of Ferrari’s prototype and reinforces the collector’s appeal of the product.
Each wheel will also include a series of exclusive items:
- A metal display stand inspired by Le Mans.
- An official commemorative poster.
- A technical diagram of the wheel.
- An individual serial number visible both physically and on the digital display when the device is powered on.
- A copy of Le Mans Ultimate along with the additional content currently available.
All of this makes the Ferrari 499P Centenary Winner Edition feel closer to a collector’s piece than a simple accessory for online racing.
A price that confirms its premium positioning
The exclusivity is also reflected in the price.
The wheel will hit the market for 851 euros, a symbolic figure referencing car number 51, the Ferrari that won Le Mans in 2023.
This is a significant amount within Thrustmaster’s usual catalog, a brand historically associated with entry-level and mid-range products. Precisely for this reason, the strategy has sparked debate among enthusiasts.
Many expected an official Ferrari 499P replica to become a relatively accessible option, bringing the world of Hypercars to a wider audience. Instead, the company has opted for a very limited run with a clearly premium focus.
Personally, I think this wheel is one of the most interesting products to hit the sim racing market in recent years. Official Hypercar replicas are rare, and the Ferrari 499P represents one of the most relevant cars in current competition. Even so, it’s hard not to wonder whether Thrustmaster has missed a unique opportunity. The community has been asking for peripherals inspired by modern Hypercars for years, and a more accessible version could have had a huge commercial impact.
The decision to limit production to 499 units sends a contradictory message: on one hand, it celebrates the arrival of a spectacular replica; on the other, most fans know from the start that they will likely never be able to get their hands on one.
Will there be a version for everyone?
Perhaps that’s the big question.
The name Centenary Winner Edition seems to leave the door open for future, less exclusive variants without the collectible extras. If so, this launch could work as a tribute edition aimed at collectors while a more general-audience version is prepared.
For now, there’s no official confirmation, but the door appears to remain ajar.
As a collector’s item, it’s extraordinary. As an opportunity to bring the Hypercar experience to thousands of sim racers, it leaves the feeling that it could have gone much further.
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