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Next Level Racing Formula Lite Pro Review

ByNeo Sphinx

Foldable F1-style cockpit with ambition… but also compromises

When looking at the market for foldable Formula-style sim rigs, the available options are surprisingly limited. Most foldable cockpits are designed in a GT seating position, leaving Formula-style racers with few compact alternatives.

The Next Level Racing Formula Lite Pro, released in late 2024 alongside the GT Lite Pro, aims to fill that gap. These two cockpits represent the top tier of Next Level Racing’s foldable lineup.

But the question remains: does the “Pro” name truly reflect the experience?

📦 What’s Included

Next Level Racing provides a surprisingly complete package.

Inside the box you’ll find:

  • Cable binders
  • Mounting hardware
  • Spare bolts
  • And — importantly — a printed manual

The inclusion of a paper manual is something I really appreciate, as fewer manufacturers seem to provide them nowadays.

One notable downside is that no shifter mount is included, and currently there is no official shifter add-on available for this rig.

⚙️ Pedal Configuration & Adjustability

The pedal configuration on the Formula Lite Pro is surprisingly elaborate for a foldable cockpit.

The front feet of the rig can be raised by up to 7 cm, which places the pedal deck between 43 and 50 cm high. This allows you to dial in a more realistic Formula-style driving position.

Like most adjustments on this rig, the pedal height can be modified quickly and without tools, which is always welcome for a foldable setup.

The pedal angle can also be adjusted by sliding the beams that support the pedal plates. Next Level Racing uses two independent mounting plates, meaning the cockpit supports:

  • Complete pedal assemblies
  • Separate individual pedals
  • A wide variety of brands

Everything is secured using hand screws, which are easy to tighten and keep the pedals firmly in place.

Overall, the pedal adjustability is one of the stronger aspects of this cockpit.

🎮 Wheelbase Mount & Positioning

The wheelbase mount can slide forward and backward using the central hub system. This allows you to adjust both the reach and height of the steering wheel.

However, this is also where I encountered one of my first issues.

The wheel mount sits slightly too high by default. While there is some room to adjust the height, the range is fairly limited. Lowering the wheel using the hubs also moves it backward and downward, which quickly brings it close to your knees.

For my personal setup, this was the best position I could achieve, but ideally I would have liked the wheel mount to sit 3–4 cm lower.

To be fair, I’m currently using a round steering wheel. With a Formula-style steering wheel, visibility would likely improve. Even so, a bit more vertical adjustment would have been welcome.

Despite this limitation, I do appreciate the sliding mechanism itself. Any feature that allows easy fine-tuning of wheel position is a plus in my book.

🔌 Wheelbase Compatibility

According to Next Level Racing, the mount supports:

“A wide range of starter and mid-range wheelbases.”

This includes brands such as:

  • Logitech
  • Thrustmaster
  • Fanatec

My Logitech RS50 (8 Nm) mounted without any issues, so compatibility at that level is confirmed.

That said, I would really like to see manufacturers publish detailed compatibility lists. One of the most common questions I receive is:

“Will my wheel and pedals fit this cockpit?”

A clear compatibility guide would save users a lot of guesswork.

🔧 The Hub System (My Biggest Issue)

One of my biggest frustrations with this cockpit is the hub system.

Next Level Racing has been using this mechanism since their first foldable rigs, and unfortunately it still comes with the same limitations.

The problem is that one hub controls multiple adjustments at the same time, including:

  • The wheelbase mount inclination
  • The front pedal section

In practice, this means that if you’re sitting in the rig and want to adjust the wheel height, you can’t do so properly because releasing the hub causes the front section to drop — leaving you essentially sitting flat on the floor.

There is also a “security strap” that can connect the front and rear feet, supposedly preventing the rig from collapsing when the hubs are released.

However, I wasn’t quite brave enough to trust Velcro alone to support my weight.

💺 Seat Comfort & Adjustability

The seat base can be adjusted at the front by up to 15 cm, allowing you to choose between a more upright or a more reclined position.

The seatback offers four different inclination positions.

Design-wise, I actually love this mechanism. The metal pin with a tether feels very motorsport-inspired — similar to the way body panels are secured on race cars.

Unfortunately, this design also sacrifices some rigidity.

The seatback flexes more than I would prefer. There is an additional strap connecting the seat to the wheel mount, but since it’s attached on only one side, its stabilizing effect is limited.

🧱 Rigidity & Driving Stability

In terms of pedal stability, the Formula Lite Pro performs quite well — especially when using a full pedal plate assembly, like the Logitech pedals I tested.

Under heavy braking there is some forward movement, but it remains minimal and doesn’t negatively impact control.

However, this stability depends on the type of pedals used. If you mount separate pedals directly to the plates, you will likely experience more flex.

Even so, I would consider the pedal mounting system one of the strengths of this cockpit.

The wheelbase mount, unfortunately, impressed me far less.

During driving — particularly with stronger force feedback — there is noticeable movement.

Next Level Racing claims compatibility with wheelbases up to 10 Nm, but it’s unclear what that means in practice.

My 8 Nm Logitech RS50 already produced visible flex in the mount.

If their claim simply means the rig can physically hold a 10 Nm base, then yes — that may be technically correct. But the driving experience might not fully match expectations.

🧵 Materials & Build Quality

The materials used are decent for a foldable rig, though not exceptional.

Some observations:

  • The stickers wear fairly quickly
  • The molded plastic feels average
  • The seat stitching could be more refined

That said, the overall structure feels solid and well assembled.

The glossy black paint also appears reasonably scratch-resistant, which is important for a rig that will frequently be folded and moved.

🚪 Getting In and Out

Next Level Racing uses the same entry system as on their earlier foldable rigs.

The front section of the wheelbase holder can swing open to allow access to the seat.

Unfortunately, in my setup this opens to the left side, while my wall is on the right side, making entry and exit somewhat awkward.

Ideally, the system would allow the rig to open from either side.

Because of the reinforcement straps running from the wheel mount to the pedals, I often found it easier to leave the rig closed and simply slide into the seat.

The downside is that this method isn’t particularly elegant and requires some effort.

For this reason, I would not recommend this cockpit to people with back problems or limited mobility.

🌬️ Seat Comfort & Fabric

Once you’re seated, however, the cockpit becomes very comfortable.

The seat padding is excellent and the fabric feels pleasant to the touch. The upholstery uses a combination of Alcantara and a ventilated honeycomb fabric.

This is actually one of my favorite aspects of the design.

The ventilation gaps reduce heat buildup significantly, making long sessions much more comfortable than with a fully Alcantara seat.

In short: you’ll sweat a lot less.

📏 Size & Footprint

Foldable rigs are often chosen because they save space, which makes the overall footprint an important factor.

The Formula Lite Pro weighs 16 kg and measures:

Unfolded dimensions

  • Length: 186 cm
  • Width: 68 cm
  • Height: 86 cm

For me personally, this is too large for my living room setup.

I can’t easily place it in front of my TV because of its length. While the extended layout makes sense for a Formula seating position, I still feel the design could have been more compact.

For users with limited space, this is definitely something to keep in mind.

🔄 Folding Mechanism

The foldability of a cockpit like this is arguably its most important feature.

The quicker and easier it is to set up, the more likely you are to actually use it.

Unfortunately, the Formula Lite Pro continues a trend I’ve noticed with Next Level Racing’s foldable rigs: the folding process is somewhat cumbersome.

The hub system — which controls multiple adjustments simultaneously — is the main reason for this.

With practice, the process becomes smoother, but it still feels more complex than it should be.

Ideally, a foldable cockpit should go from storage to race-ready in about one minute. This one takes noticeably longer.

When folded, the dimensions are reasonable but not exceptional.

Another small issue is the placement of the transport wheels. A simple locking cap would prevent the rig from rolling when stored upright against a wall.

🔗 Ecosystem & Accessories

While there aren’t accessories designed specifically for the Formula Lite Pro, it is compatible with several generic Next Level Racing add-ons, including:

  • Freestanding monitor stand
  • Keyboard holder
  • HF8 haptic feedback pad

So while the ecosystem isn’t tailored specifically to this rig, there are still quite a few expansion options available.

💰 Price

The MSRP of the Formula Lite Pro is €299, though it can often be found cheaper through retailers.

I purchased mine from Coolblue for €269, which I think is a fair price.

Formula-style hardware tends to be priced slightly higher due to its niche appeal, so €269 feels reasonable in this category.

🏁 Final Verdict

After more than a year on the market, the Formula Lite Pro hasn’t changed much.

Several criticisms I had of the GT Lite Pro also apply here, suggesting that Next Level Racing tends to refine their designs rather slowly.

At around €269, the price is fair — especially considering the limited competition in foldable Formula cockpits.

And ultimately, that lack of alternatives is the main reason why I can recommend this rig… albeit somewhat reluctantly.

There is still plenty of room for improvement, and the “Pro” branding feels a little optimistic.

The good news is that competition is starting to grow. The Playseat F1 DD is entering this segment, and I’ll be reviewing and comparing it very soon.

Whether you’re a long-session driver or simply want a balance between immersion and comfort, the PRS2 delivers in every category.

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