Best Sim Racing Games 2026: Top Racing Sims for F1 Fans

A "sim racing game" sits somewhere between an arcade racer and a full-blown simulator. The best ones model tyre temperature, weight transfer, brake bias, and fuel load closely enough that a real racing line and a real braking technique actually pay off — which is exactly why they hook F1 fans. The catch is that no single game does everything: the most competitive online sim is subscription-based on PC, the best F1-licensed game changes every year, and the best console sims are exclusive to either PlayStation or Xbox. This guide sorts them out so you can pick the right one for your platform and your sim racing setup.

The hobby is bigger than ever. According to Sony and Polyphony Digital, the Gran Turismo franchise has sold more than 90 million units worldwide, and Microsoft has reported that Forza Horizon 5 alone passed 45 million players — evidence that realistic racing has gone fully mainstream. At the hardcore end, iRacing is subscription-based, starting at around $13 per month per iRacing's own pricing, which funds constant updates and one of the largest laser-scanned track libraries in the hobby. Below, we rank the games that matter in 2026 by what they do best.

Quick Picks: Best Sim Racing Games

• Best Overall: iRacing — the benchmark for competitive online racing
• Best for F1 Fans: EA Sports F1 (F1 25) — the official Formula 1 season
• Best for GT Racing: Assetto Corsa Competizione — the official GT World Challenge sim
• Best on PlayStation: Gran Turismo 7 — polished, deep, PS5 exclusive
• Best on Xbox: Forza Motorsport — the definitive Xbox track sim
• Best for Modding: Assetto Corsa / Assetto Corsa EVO — endless cars and F1 mods

Top 7 Sim Racing Games Reviewed

1. iRacing — Best Overall

iRacing is the sim serious racers graduate to. Its strict online licensing system, safety rating, and scheduled races create the most disciplined, most rewarding competition anywhere in the hobby — the closest thing to real race weekends you can run from home.

• Laser-scanned tracks and constant physics updates
• The best organised online racing, with licences and safety ratings
• Deep open-wheel content, including modern and historic formula cars
• PC only, subscription-based

The trade-off is cost and commitment: it is PC-only and subscription-based, and content is bought à la carte. But for wheel-and-pedal racers chasing real competition, nothing else comes close. Pair it with a proper sim racing wheel and a set of load-cell sim racing pedals to get the most from it.

2. EA Sports F1 (F1 25) — Best for F1 Fans

The latest EA Sports F1 title is the only game with the fully licensed Formula 1 season — every team, driver, and circuit, updated each year. Its My Team career and story modes make it the most accessible way to live out an F1 season, on console or PC.

• Official F1 teams, drivers, and 2026-era calendar
• Deep career and My Team management modes
• Playable on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox
• Assists scale from arcade-friendly to full simulation

Purists sometimes prefer the sharper physics of iRacing or Assetto Corsa, but if you want to race this season's grid at Monaco or Silverstone with the real drivers, the EA Sports F1 series is unmatched. It pairs naturally with our guide to the best F1 video games.

3. Assetto Corsa Competizione — Best for GT Racing

Assetto Corsa Competizione (ACC) is the official game of the GT World Challenge, and it shows. Its tyre model, weather, and night racing are among the best in the business, making it the default choice for anyone who loves GT3 machinery.

• Officially licensed GT World Challenge cars and tracks
• Exceptional tyre, weather, and day-night simulation
• Strong single-player championships and online racing
• Available on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox

ACC is more focused than the original Assetto Corsa — fewer cars, but a deeper, more polished GT experience. If wheel-to-wheel GT racing is your thing, this is the sim to own.

4. Gran Turismo 7 — Best on PlayStation

Gran Turismo 7 is the most polished sim on PlayStation, and PSVR2 support makes it one of the most immersive too. Huge car list, gorgeous tracks, and a physics model that rewards smooth inputs make it the console racer to beat.

• Enormous car roster and beautifully modelled tracks
• PSVR2 support for full virtual-reality racing
• Approachable for pad players, deep for wheel users
• PS5 (and PS4) exclusive

It leans a little more "sim-cade" than iRacing or ACC, but for PlayStation owners who want one do-everything racing game, GT7 is the easy call. Add a VR headset and the immersion goes up another level.

5. Forza Motorsport — Best on Xbox

Forza Motorsport is the definitive circuit-racing sim on Xbox and PC. Its rebuilt physics, dynamic tyre and track temperature, and deep car-building make it a serious step up from the arcade-leaning Horizon series.

• Rebuilt physics with dynamic tyre and track temperature
• Massive car list and extensive tuning
• Available on Xbox Series X|S and PC, and on Game Pass
• Wheel support with strong force feedback

For Xbox players, Forza Motorsport is the natural home for wheel-and-pedal racing, and Game Pass makes it a low-risk way to try sim racing before committing to hardware.

6. Assetto Corsa / Assetto Corsa EVO — Best for Modding

The original Assetto Corsa — and its successor Assetto Corsa EVO — is the modder's paradise. A vast community library adds cars, tracks, and remarkably complete F1 mods, so you can build almost any dream grid you like on PC.

• Huge community mod library, including full F1 car packs
• Excellent base physics that mods build on
• Assetto Corsa EVO expands graphics, content, and open-world driving
• Best on PC, where mods are supported

If you want to race a historic F1 car at a fantasy circuit, Assetto Corsa is the sim that lets you. It takes some setup, but the payoff in variety is unmatched.

7. Automobilista 2 — Best Value on PC

Automobilista 2 is the underrated all-rounder. Built on a refined physics engine, it packs an unusually broad car list — including formula cars across eras — plus dynamic weather, all at a friendly one-time price.

• Wide range of formula, GT, and prototype cars
• Excellent dynamic weather and time-of-day
• Frequent updates and strong value for a one-time purchase
• PC focused, with good wheel support

For PC racers who want single-player variety and open-wheel thrills without a subscription, Automobilista 2 delivers a lot of sim for the money.

Sim Racing Games Comparison

How to Choose a Sim Racing Game

Start With Your Platform

Platform decides half your options. Gran Turismo 7 is PlayStation-only; Forza Motorsport lives on Xbox and PC; iRacing, Assetto Corsa, and Automobilista 2 are PC-first. ACC and EA Sports F1 span all three. Pick the best game your hardware can run before anything else.

Decide Between a Subscription and a One-Time Buy

iRacing's subscription funds elite online racing but adds up over time, especially with paid content. If you race casually or offline, a one-time purchase like Gran Turismo 7, ACC, or Automobilista 2 is far cheaper in the long run.

Match the Game to Your Gear

A controller is fine for GT7 and Forza, but every sim here comes alive with a wheel. If you are moving to hardware, read our best F1 sim racing setup guide and start with a wheel and pedals, then add a rigid cockpit as you get serious.

Sim Racing Games by the Numbers

• A mainstream hobby: according to Sony and Polyphony Digital, the Gran Turismo franchise has sold more than 90 million units worldwide — one of the best-selling series in gaming.
• Huge audiences: Microsoft has reported that Forza Horizon 5 surpassed 45 million players, underlining how far realistic racing has reached beyond the hardcore niche.
• Subscription vs. one-time: iRacing starts at roughly $13 per month per iRacing's pricing, while console sims like Gran Turismo 7 and Assetto Corsa Competizione are single purchases — the biggest cost difference to weigh before you buy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most realistic sim racing game?

iRacing and Assetto Corsa Competizione are widely regarded as the most realistic mainstream sims. iRacing uses laser-scanned tracks and a strict online licensing system, while ACC is the official game of the GT World Challenge and is prized for its accurate tyre and physics model. For a modern all-round physics benchmark, Assetto Corsa (and the newer Assetto Corsa EVO) are also top picks on PC.

What is the best sim racing game for F1 fans?

For racing the actual Formula 1 grid, EA Sports F1 (F1 25) is the best pick because it includes the official teams, drivers, and circuits. For pure open-wheel driving physics, many F1 fans prefer iRacing or Assetto Corsa with F1 mods, which offer sharper competition and deeper setup control.

Do I need a wheel to play sim racing games?

No, but a wheel and pedals transform the experience. Games like Gran Turismo 7 and Forza Motorsport are playable on a controller, but a force-feedback wheel and load-cell pedals let you feel grip and brake to a pressure target, which is where consistency and lap time come from.

Is iRacing worth the subscription?

For competitive online racers, yes. iRacing is subscription-based, starting at around $13 per month per iRacing's pricing, and that fee funds constant updates, laser-scanned tracks, and the most organised online racing system in the hobby. Casual players may prefer a one-time purchase like Gran Turismo 7 or Assetto Corsa Competizione.

The Bottom Line

For most F1 fans in 2026, iRacing is the best sim racing game — the benchmark for real online competition. Want the official Formula 1 season instead? The latest EA Sports F1 title is the only game with the real grid. On console, Gran Turismo 7 (PlayStation) and Forza Motorsport (Xbox) are the all-round champions.

Whichever sim you choose, the gear underneath it is what makes it feel real. Start with a sim racing wheel and load-cell pedals, mount them to a stable cockpit, add a VR headset for immersion, follow the full plan in our best F1 sim racing setup guide — then fire up the team radio that inspired you and go racing. For the F1-branded titles specifically, see our best F1 video games ranking.