QR1 vs QR2: What's the Difference?

Fanatec pioneered the quick release system for sim racing with the original ClubSport Wheel Base in 2011, allowing the development of a wide range of steering wheels that could be hot-swapped during a session, allowing your sim racing setup to adapt to the vehicle you choose.

The Fanatec quick release (QR) connects the wheel base to the steering wheel. As the name implies, it has a release mechanism that allows for rapid exchanging of steering wheels. It features electrical connection pins in the center, transferring power and data from the base to the wheel without the need for external cables.

The quick release system is an essential part of a Fanatec wheel base and a Fanatec steering wheel; neither of these products can be used without it.

Today, all Fanatec Bases are preinstalled with QR2, and every steering wheel also ships with a QR2 by default. Some wheels still require the user to assemble the QR2 before use. Over time, more Fanatec wheels will ship preinstalled with QR2.

The QR2 was result of developing a real-world steering wheel for BMW M Motorsport, and to meet the new demands of direct drive force feedback. The QR2 is designed to completely replace the original Fanatec quick release (referred to as QR1). The central electronic connection remains the same, but the mechanical design is all-new, making it far stronger and the electronic connection more secure. The tighter fit results in a reduction in mechanical noise while driving, and an improvement in force feedback detail. It’s also easier and faster to swap wheels.

The most important takeaway is that a steering wheel equipped with a QR1 is not compatible with a wheel base equipped with a QR2, and vice versa. You need matching modules for your set-up to work.

Most Fanatec bases and steering wheels produced in recent years were designed with the transition to QR2 in mind, meaning that they have an exchangeable QR. If you wish to upgrade a QR1 base or wheel, it's important to check the available QR2 upgrade accessories for compatibility. You’ll need to ensure both your steering wheel and wheel base are upgraded to QR2.

The base-side quick release you need for an upgrade depends on the wheel base you use:

• Early Podium Wheel Bases – QR2 Base-Side (Type-M)
• Early CSL DD or GT DD PRO Wheel Bases – QR2 Base-Side (Type C)

Check the QR installed on your base before buying an upgrade. The current Podium DD and ClubSport DD generation ship with QR2 and do not need a QR2 base-side conversion.

A matching QR alone does not confirm that a wheel supports a particular base. Check the wheel’s compatibility section and the QR2 Info Page before ordering.

These helpful upgrade tutorials will walk you through the process.

The QR2 Pro Wheel-Side, originally developed for use in the 2022 BMW M4 GT3 race car, and then further optimized for sim racing, is a fully CNC-machined part made of aviation-grade billet aluminum. Designed to meet FIA standards required in motorsport, it represents the ultimate integration of real-world and virtual racing.

The QR2 Wheel-Side is diecast aluminum, and is the standard metal QR for Fanatec ClubSport wheels. With an anodized black finish, the appearance and feel of the surfaces is different to the Pro version, but the mechanical performance is the same.

The QR2 Lite Wheel-Side is intended for CSL wheels and made from carbon fiber-reinforced plastic, sharing the same mechanism as its aluminum counterparts. This QR is no longer sold separately and is preinstalled on some CSL wheels. The QR2 Lite Wheel-Side has been verified for operation at high torque levels (15 Nm and above), but some CSL wheels are still limited to 8 Nm (regardless of what QR is used). This is indicated by the '8 Nm MAX' label on the product page.

QR2 is most useful if you swap wheels frequently or want a higher precision connection for direct-drive force feedback. This is particularly important for higher torque levels and for fine vibration effects produced through FullForce technology.

This QR1 and QR2 guide applies to Fanatec hardware. It does not establish compatibility with another brand’s wheel base or quick-release system. Mechanical mounting and electrical functions are separate: a wheel may attach without its buttons, display or other electronics working. If you wish to use a third-party wheel on a Fanatec base, check the Fanatec Wheel Hub.

The QR1 Wheel-Side accessory can be used to downgrade QR2 wheels to QR1, in order to fit older bases with a fixed QR1 shaft. However, it is still important to check the compatibility section of the wheel - not all wheels are compatible with legacy/discontinued Fanatec bases.

QR1 is being phased out. New QR1 Wheel-Side units are no longer normally sold; certified-refurbished units or limited transitional stock may be the only options. Check current availability and contact support before planning a downgrade.

It is technically possible to downgrade a CSL DD QR2, Gran Turismo DD Pro QR2, Podium DD1/DD2 QR2 to QR1, but these accessories are not sold on the site. Open a support ticket to ask about your options. DD1 and DD2 are previous-generation bases. The current Podium DD ships with QR2; use a compatible QR2 Wheel-Side module with it.

More information can be found on our QR2 Info Page, which provides a complete list of upgradable Fanatec hardware.