The choice between GT and Formula affects your entire sim rig. It determines how high the pedals need to sit, the angle of the steering wheel, the space required and which seat supports your body correctly. Choose the driving position first and the products afterwards.
This guide helps you make one decision: should your simulator be built for GT or Formula? Rally and drifting are covered briefly where their requirements differ from both.
Quick choice: which position suits you?
| You mainly want to drive | Choose first | Why |
|---|---|---|
| GT3, GT4, touring cars, endurance and road-going sports cars | GT position | Upright, versatile and easy to adapt to many car types. |
| Formula 1, Formula 2, Formula 3 and other single-seaters | Formula position | Low and reclined, with the legs raised and the wheel close to the body. |
| A mixture of GT cars, prototypes and single-seaters | GT or hybrid | A moderate GT position is easier to live with when you frequently change car type. |
| Rally, drifting and road cars | Raised road/rally position | A more upright position allows larger steering inputs and easier use of a shifter and handbrake. |
GT position: the versatile choice
In a GT position, you sit relatively upright. The seat is lower than in an ordinary road car, but your back is not reclined as far as it would be in a single-seater. The pedals sit in front of your body and are usually below hip level.
This position is particularly suitable for GT3, GT4, touring cars, endurance, sports cars and many prototypes. It is also a good compromise for drivers who switch between several simulators and vehicle classes.
GT suits you if
- you drive many different types of car
- you want to enter and leave the rig relatively easily
- you sometimes use a round steering wheel
- you drive longer sessions and want a less extreme posture
- several people will use the same simulator
Keep in mind
- the seat must suit the width of your body
- the side support should hold you without pinching
- the wheel and pedals must be positioned around your body—not the other way round
- seat sliders can be useful when several drivers share the rig
At SimEdge, the Sabelt SRS-1 is a clear example of a GT seat. It has a rigid fibreglass shell, 20 mm high-density foam and side mounting holes. It can be paired with the Sabelt S99 EVO I, which is designed around a GT driving position.
Formula position: low, reclined and specialised
In a Formula position, the upper body is reclined further while the legs and pedals are raised. The wheel sits close to the body and the knees are higher than in a typical GT rig. This creates the compact posture associated with single-seat race cars.
A Formula position does not automatically make you faster in the game. Its main benefit is placing the body, wheel and pedals in a way that better reflects the car you are driving. For someone who almost always chooses single-seaters, it can create a more coherent and engaging experience.
Formula suits you if
- you mainly drive single-seaters
- you want a distinctly low and reclined position
- you use a Formula wheel most of the time
- you have room for a more extended rig
- you want to build a specialised simulator
Keep in mind
- the pedal mount must raise the pedals sufficiently
- the wheel needs to sit close without hitting your knees
- getting in and out is more demanding
- an incorrectly adjusted position can strain the neck, lower back or legs
The Sabelt SRP-1 is designed for a Formula position and pairs naturally with the Sabelt P99 EVO I. For the position to work, the pedals must be mounted high and at the correct angle; Sabelt recommends its Ultra Pedal Mount for the P99.
The position—not only the seat—is what matters
A Formula seat on a rig with low pedals does not create a correct Formula position. Likewise, a GT seat can feel wrong if the wheelbase is too high or too far away. Treat the simulator as four parts that need to work together:
- The seat should support your back, hips and thighs without obvious pressure points.
- The pedals should be reachable with slightly bent legs, even at maximum braking force.
- The steering wheel should be held with relaxed shoulders and bent elbows.
- The cockpit must hold all three components firmly at the correct angles.
When you press a load cell brake hard, your body should be pushed into the seat back and pelvic support—not slide forwards. If you must fully extend your leg or pull on the wheel to reach maximum brake force, the position is wrong, regardless of the quality of the components.
GT and Formula compared
| Characteristic | GT | Formula |
|---|---|---|
| Upper body | Relatively upright | Clearly reclined |
| Pedal height | Usually below the hips | Closer to hip level or higher |
| Versatility | High | More specialised |
| Getting in and out | Easier | More demanding |
| Space required | Often slightly less | Often a longer overall position |
| Typical car classes | GT, touring, endurance, sports cars | Formula and other single-seaters |
What if you drive rally or drift cars?
Rally and drifting often use a more upright and raised road-car position than GT. It allows larger steering inputs and makes a separate shifter and handbrake easier to reach. The Sabelt SRX-1 with the Sabelt X99 EVO I is a more natural example of this type of setup.
This is not a third main path in this guide, but a simple exception: if you mainly drive rally or drift cars, you should normally choose a road/rally position instead of trying to adapt a low Formula rig.
How to adjust your driving position step by step
- Mount the seat provisionally and sit with your back fully against the support.
- Move the pedals until you can apply full braking force without locking your knee or lifting your pelvis.
- Place the wheel so your wrists reach its top edge while your shoulders remain against the seat.
- Fine-tune the wheel angle so your forearms work naturally.
- Check that your knees and thighs do not hit the wheelbase or its mount.
- Drive for at least 30 minutes and note any pressure points, numbness or tension.
- Change one thing at a time and test again.
Check this before ordering
- Internal seat dimensions: compare them with your hips, back and shoulder width—not only your height.
- Mounting: the SRS-1, SRP-1 and SRX-1 use side mounts.
- What is included: seat brackets and sliders are sold separately for these seats.
- Correct sliders: the SRS/SRX and SRP use different recommended seat sliders.
- Pedal plate: check its height, angle and ability to withstand your braking force.
- Wheel mount: confirm compatibility with your wheelbase and sufficient positioning adjustment.
- Available space: measure the complete rig, including the monitor, shifter and handbrake.
Frequently asked questions
Can I drive GT cars in a Formula rig?
Yes. The game works regardless of your seating position. The question is which position feels best and suits what you drive most. If you frequently change car class, a GT position is normally more versatile.
Is a Formula position uncomfortable during long sessions?
Not when it is correctly adjusted for your body, but it is more sensitive to incorrect angles. Pedal height, leg and back support and the distance to the wheel must work together.
Do I need seat sliders?
Not always. A fixed installation is simple and rigid for a single driver. Sliders are useful when several people share the simulator or when you want to change the distance quickly.
Is a fixed bucket seat better than an adjustable seat?
A fixed fibreglass seat provides rigid support and a stable connection to the cockpit. This is especially valuable with high-force pedals. The most important thing, however, is that the seat fits your body and is installed at the correct angle.
Which position should I choose if I am unsure?
Choose GT. It works well for the widest range of cars and is easier to adjust for different drivers. Choose Formula when you specifically want to build the simulator around single-seaters and their low driving position.
Conclusion: choose the car type first, then the position
GT is the best all-round choice for most sim racers. Formula is better for drivers who want to specialise in single-seaters. Rally and drifting, in turn, work best with a more raised road-car position.
Do not start with an attractive seat and build everything else around it. Begin with what you drive, choose the position and then make sure the seat, cockpit, wheel and pedals can create that position together.
For more help, read our guides to direct drive wheelbases, sim racing pedals and choosing a wheel for GT, Formula and rally.
Explore SimEdge's Sabelt cockpits and seats, or contact us. Tell us what you drive, which wheelbase and pedals you use and approximately how tall you are, and we will help you find a compatible system.
Product contents, compatibility and recommended accessories may change. Always check the current product page before ordering. This guide was updated in August 2026.