Optimizing FOV for Sim Racing: Getting the View Right

Field of View (FOV) is the angle value of the virtual camera lens that determines how much of the virtual world you can see on your screen(s) at once. It is a common setting in PC games, particularly first-person shooters, but less common on console.

The FOV value is sometimes a horizontal measurement, while other games might use a vertical one, which can make the numbers look quite different even though they describe the same view.

In a shooter, it can be an advantage to increase your FOV to see more of the world at once (to spot enemies faster), but in sim racing, having an adjustable FOV is more about being able to set an accurate view based on your setup, as it determines how naturally you perceive scale and speed, and your proximity to other cars.

In the real world, your brain constantly processes visual depth, speed, and peripheral cues. An unrealistically wide FOV will exaggerate the sense of speed and make objects appear smaller and further away, which can lead to missed braking points or poorly judged apexes. Getting it right ensures a better sense of place on the track, and hopefully, a safer and more natural racing experience.

Technically, there is only one correct FOV for any setup, calculated from your screen size and your viewing distance. Some sims even have ‘FOV calculators’ built into the settings menus that ask for these values.

Setting the true FOV is essential if you are using a large widescreen TV or monitor (i.e. above 30 inches), a large ultrawide (49-inch or bigger), or a triple-screen arrangement. In these cases, the mathematically correct FOV for your setup should be calculated as precisely as possible. With triples, the side monitors are typically angled towards the driver at around 45 degrees, and this needs to be added to the FOV calculation, along with bezel compensation, which prevents objects from appearing misaligned as they cross between screens.

For virtual reality headsets, you don’t need to worry about FOV, as this is an automatic setting in VR. Your FOV will always be 100% accurate in VR, if you’ve set your IPD (the distance between your eyes) correctly.

On a smaller single monitor, you should try to bring it as close to you as possible, but even then, the true FOV value can feel very restricted with no sense of peripheral vision. In this scenario, increasing the FOV slightly above the ‘correct’ value can be a practical compromise. While it may not be perfectly accurate, it can improve usability and still provide a satisfying driving experience. It can be tempting to run a much higher FOV value to see more of the track, but it’s not a good idea.

For those who want the most authentic setup, the Fanatec ClubSport GT Cockpit with the separate Monitor Stand and Triple Monitor Expansion Kit is an excellent choice, providing a stable platform for three monitors and allows for proper adjustment of side angles.

For racers with a ClubSport DD or ClubSport DD+, the DD Shaft Extension makes it possible to position your central monitor as close and as low as possible, i.e. just behind your steering wheel, allowing the highest possible ‘correct’ FOV value for your screen size.