Ensuring your Thrustmaster Ferrari Gt racing wheel operates at its peak on your PC requires the correct drivers. This guide provides a step-by-step walkthrough for installing the necessary software, guaranteeing seamless integration and enhanced force feedback for an immersive racing experience with your Ferrari GT wheel.
Preparing for Installation
Before initiating the driver installation, ensure your system meets the basic requirements and follow these preparatory steps for a smooth process.
System Requirements:
- Windows® 11
- Windows® 10
- Windows® 8
- Windows® 7
Pre-Installation Steps:
- Create a Dedicated Folder: For organizational purposes, create a new folder on your Windows desktop specifically for your Thrustmaster downloads. Right-click on your desktop, navigate to “New,” and select “Folder.” Name this folder “Thrustmaster Downloads.”
- Download the Driver: Locate the appropriate driver download link. Typically, this can be found on the official Thrustmaster support website.
- Save the Driver File: Click on the download link. When the “File Download” dialog box appears, click “Save.” In the subsequent “Save As” dialog box, choose the “Thrustmaster Downloads” folder you created and click “Save” again. This will store the driver installation file in your designated folder.
Driver Installation Procedure
Follow these instructions carefully to install the Thrustmaster Force Feedback drivers correctly on your system, ensuring compatibility with your Ferrari GT racing wheel and other Thrustmaster peripherals.
- Uninstall Previous Drivers: It is crucial to remove any previous versions of Thrustmaster drivers before installing a new one. This prevents conflicts and ensures a clean installation. Navigate to your Control Panel, find “Programs and Features” (or “Add or Remove Programs” in older Windows versions), locate any Thrustmaster driver entries, and uninstall them. Restart your computer if prompted.
- Run the Installer: Locate the downloaded driver installation file (typically named
2018_FFD_2.exeor similar) within your “Thrustmaster Downloads” folder. Double-click this file to launch the installation process. - Follow On-Screen Instructions: The installation wizard will guide you through the remaining steps. Carefully read and follow the instructions displayed on your screen. This usually involves accepting license agreements and choosing installation locations.
- Access the Control Panel: Once the installation is complete, access the Thrustmaster Control Panel to verify the installation and configure your Ferrari GT racing wheel.
- Windows 11/ 10/ 8: Click “Start,” then “All Apps,” then “Thrustmaster,” and finally select “Control Panel.”
- Windows 7: Click “Start,” then “All Programs,” then “Thrustmaster,” then “Force Feedback Driver,” and select “Control Panel.”
- Verify Device Status: In the Control Panel, your Thrustmaster accessory, including your Ferrari GT racing wheel, should be displayed with a status indication of “OK.” This confirms that the driver has been successfully installed and the device is recognized by your system.
- Configure Device Properties: Click “Properties” within the Control Panel to customize your device settings.
- Test Input: This tab allows you to test and configure the functionality of buttons, D-Pads, and axes on your Ferrari GT wheel, ensuring all controls are correctly mapped and responsive.
- Test Force Feedback: This feature is crucial for Force Feedback racing wheels like the Ferrari GT series. It enables you to test various force effects, ensuring the force feedback mechanism is working correctly and allows you to experience the tactile sensations of the road and vehicle dynamics.
- Save Settings: After configuring your desired settings, click “OK” to save the changes and exit the Control Panel.
Optimizing Force Feedback for Ferrari GT Wheels
To achieve the most immersive and realistic racing experience with your Ferrari GT racing wheel, fine-tuning the force feedback settings is essential.
-
“Aggressiveness” Adjustment: Within the Force Feedback settings, you’ll typically find an “Aggressiveness” bar or similar control.
- Decreasing the Percentage: Lowering the percentage reduces the overall strength of force feedback effects, making the wheel feel lighter and less resistant.
- Increasing the Percentage: Increasing the percentage amplifies the force feedback strength and can also affect the wheel’s self-centering behavior, making it stronger.
- Vibration Strength: This setting may also control the vibration intensity on your gamepad or racing wheel, allowing you to adjust the tactile feedback from road bumps and engine vibrations.
-
In-Game Force Feedback Settings: For “Force Feedback Racing Wheels” like the Ferrari GT models, utilize the in-game “Wheel Force Effects” configuration options. Most racing games offer detailed settings to customize force feedback to your preference.
- Inverting Forces or Negative Force Coefficient: In many games, you might need to invert the force feedback or apply a negative force coefficient within the game’s settings to ensure the forces are acting in the correct direction, providing realistic feedback when cornering or experiencing impacts.
By following these installation and configuration steps, you can ensure your Thrustmaster Ferrari GT racing wheel is properly set up for optimal performance, delivering a highly engaging and realistic racing simulation experience.
Supported Thrustmaster Products
This driver package supports a wide range of Thrustmaster racing wheels, joysticks, and gamepads, including the Ferrari GT series. Below is a comprehensive list of compatible devices:
Racing Wheels:
- Ferrari Challenge RW PC-PS3
- Ferrari F430 FFB
- Ferrari GT 2-in-1 Rumble Force
- Ferrari GT 2-in-1 Force Feedback
- Ferrari GT Experience Rumble Force
- Ferrari RW Red Legend Edition
- Ferrari Wireless F430 Cockpit
- Nascar Pro Force Feedback 2
- Rally GT PRO Force Feedback
- RGT PRO Clutch Edition
- T.RJ12 USB Adapter
- T100 Force Feedback RW
- T80 Ferrari 488 GTB Edition
Joysticks:
- MFD COUGAR Pack
- T.16000M
- T.16000M FCS
- T.Flight Hotas X
- T.Flight Stick X
- T.RJ12 USB Adapter
- TFRP T.FLight Rudder pedals
- Top Gun Fox 2 Pro Shock
Gamepads:
- Dual Analog 4
- Dual Trigger 2-in-1 Rumble Force
- Dual Trigger 3-in-1 Rumble Force
- Dual Trigger Wireless Rechargeable
- F1 DA Ferrari F60 Exclusive Edition
- F1 DA Gamepad Ferrari 150th Italia Alonso Edition
- F1 Wireless Gamepad Ferrari 150th Italia Alonso Edition
- F1 Wireless Ferrari F60 Exclusive Edition
- Ferrari Motors Gamepad F430 Challenge
- Ferrari Wireless Gamepad 430 Scuderia Limited Edition
- Firestorm Dual Analog 3
- Run ’N’ Drive 3-in-1 Rumble Force
- Run ’N’ Drive Wireless 3-in-1 Rumble Force
- T-Mini 2-in-1 Rumble Force
- T-Mini Wireless 2-in-1
- T-Mini Wireless 2-in-1 Rumble Force
- T-Wireless 2-in-1 Rumble Force
- T-Wireless Black
- T-Wireless Duo Pack
