Last week, we took our first dive into the world of Le Mans Ultimate simulation. And to be honest, it was a pleasant surprise—at least with the top-tier HYPERCAR category. So now feels like the right time to shift up a gear and tackle both the FFB (Force Feedback) settings and the braking aspect using the P1 SIM MISTRAL pedals. My idea is to offer a beginner-friendly guide for those looking to get the most out of their favorite hardware.
FFB: the essential element
Personally, I place a huge importance on force feedback, because I believe the braking element cannot be separated from it. If the sensations at the wheel are good, you get to understand your vehicle—and naturally, the braking as well. Especially with the Ferrari P499, which has no ABS and can be tough to handle.
As an example, here are the settings for the CLUBSPORT DD base. Avoid filters that may harm the experience and alter the feel.
I also had to make a small adjustment to the camera position. Raising the virtual driver by three points and moving them back by three points had the effect of better aligning the FFB sensations.
Seat adjustments can significantly fine-tune your FFB feel. An added layer of balance in how the car’s physics come through.
Kicking Off Our Weekend at Imola
Yes, the idea is to build custom setups circuit by circuit. While a GT driver might not focus much on braking, and instead just on pure driving, top-tier categories like HYPERCAR or F1 study braking carefully for each track. We’ll approach our sim racing prep the same way—with the goal of extracting the maximum from Le Mans Ultimate.
Elastomer Choice
Arguably the trickiest part to get right. What do you prioritize: realism or comfort?
After chatting with the P1 SIM team, there’s no single answer. Since our simulators lack G-forces, it’s likely unnecessary to obsess over replicating real-world sensations.
To be precise, you need to separate pedal stiffness from the force applied. For HYPERCARs, I wanted a stiffer feel, so I opted for HARD and VERY HARD rubbers.
Calibration
I’m not hell-bent on achieving the 200 kg force that real pro drivers can hit in certain conditions. What matters most is choosing a pressure that fits your driving position—something comfortable and deep enough to allow precise brake control.
The Curves
This is another crucial point in using the P1 SIM MISTRAL pedals. I’ll share my own approach here, but of course, it depends on your expectations, braking style, and seating position.
In our case at IMOLA, I wanted a three-part braking curve. The first with aggressive bite, the second more manageable and easy to modulate, and the third echoing the intensity of the first phase.
Being able to finely modulate the brake really helps on this track. I enjoy steering the FERRARI P499 into fast corners by carefully blending brake and throttle inputs.
Save your profile
Once your braking curve feels just right, make sure to save it in the SIM HUB software. You can store your custom profile to keep the same pedal response every time. Super useful if you’re switching between different cars or tracks.
Right before you go on track, make it a habit to reload your profile in the software.
It takes just a couple of clicks but ensures you get your ideal brake feel back instantly—no surprises. Especially handy if you use multiple profiles or if your rig was restarted..
Energy Regeneration
Don’t forget that with this HYPERCAR, you also need to factor in energy regeneration and management.
We’ll dig deeper into this in future episodes. It’s both fascinating and initially overwhelming. From my early tests, how you approach this part can also impact your braking sensations. Here’s a setup I like for IMOLA, though I expect it to evolve as I gain more experience.
Perfection Is a Sum of All Parts
As you can see, fine-tuning your setup isn’t that complicated if you follow the right method. Don’t blindly rely on quick presets or automatic settings like steering rotation—these can actually hurt your experience.
The reason I’m talking about both force feedback and fine pedal tuning is to emphasize that you should think and prep like a pro driver. Adjust your seat, tweak your pedals, and refine your setup starting from a solid base. Every rig has its quirks, so my setup might not be your setup. My goal is to share my experience and maybe help you out with yours.
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