Sim racers have long relied on clunky workarounds to access telemetry and adjust settings mid-race. Now, Fanatec and Elgato have teamed up to change that—officially. The new Fanatec Stream Deck plugin, available free on the Elgato Marketplace, integrates directly with Fanatec hardware, turning the Stream Deck into a telemetry dashboard and tuning interface. But before you rush to download it, there are a few key details that might surprise you.
What most sim racers assume
Many will expect this plugin to work like a universal telemetry overlay, displaying lap times, tire temps, and fuel levels across every racing simulation. Others assume it will replace the need for in-game menus entirely, letting them tweak suspension settings or brake bias with a single button press. The plugin is also expected to support every Fanatec wheel and pedal setup—from the budget-friendly Club Sport to the high-end Podium Edition—without requiring extra configuration.
What’s actually happening
The plugin delivers on some of these promises but falls short in others. It supports all Stream Deck models—including the XL and Stream Deck +—and provides dedicated profiles for each. Once enabled, the device can display race position, fuel levels, tire temperatures (where the game supports it), flag warnings, and even lap times. But not every simulation exposes all these metrics; some games may only show basic telemetry.
Where the plugin shines is in its tuning capabilities. Users can now access Fanatec’s Tuning Menu directly from the Stream Deck, adjusting hardware settings like steering sensitivity, brake bias, or even engaging Fanatec’s FullForce feedback technology without pausing the session. This mirrors the controls found on physical Fanatec wheels, making mid-race adjustments as seamless as possible.
However, the plugin isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. It requires supported simulations to feed data to the Stream Deck, and not all games integrate telemetry in the same way. For example, while Gran Turismo 7 users will see tire temps and fuel levels, a game like iRacing might only display lap times and race position. The plugin also doesn’t replace in-game HUDs—it’s an addition, not a replacement.
Why this matters for sim racers
The integration is the result of a natural collaboration between two Corsair-owned brands. Fanatec brings its deep expertise in sim racing hardware, while Elgato provides the widely adopted Stream Deck platform. The plugin doesn’t just add convenience; it enhances immersion by keeping critical data and controls within arm’s reach.
For those with Fanatec hardware, the plugin is a free upgrade that turns an already versatile accessory into a more powerful tool. It’s not a magic fix for every telemetry need, but for supported games and setups, it’s a significant step forward in making sim racing more fluid and responsive.
Tobias Stelzer, VP and General Manager at Fanatec, emphasized the plugin’s role in blending hardware and software: Stream Deck has become a natural part of many sim racing setups. This plugin makes it feel deeply integrated with the Fanatec experience, giving drivers quick access to telemetry and tuning without breaking immersion.
For now, the plugin is available exclusively for Fanatec users, but the collaboration suggests more cross-brand integrations could be on the horizon—especially as Elgato continues to expand its ecosystem beyond streaming.
