MOMO Steering Wheels

MOMO Steering Wheels

Definition and Historical Standing
MOMO is an Italian world-class racing steering wheel and motorsport accessories brand founded in 1964 by racing driver Gianpiero Moretti. The brand name is a portmanteau derived from his surname "Moretti" and "Monza", the iconic Italian racing circuit. MOMO’s inception was sparked by a custom, thicker-grip steering wheel Moretti crafted for his own race car. The design swiftly caught the paddock's attention, and after Ferrari F1 driver John Surtees bolted it on to secure the 1964 World Championship, MOMO shot to fame across the motorsport world. Over six decades on, MOMO stands as one of the most recognisable emblems in racing steering wheels, its signature yellow arrow logo and red-stitched grip held in the hands of countless champions.

Origins and the Founder
MOMO began purely out of personal necessity. In 1964, amateur racer Gianpiero Moretti commissioned a bespoke steering wheel with a thicker, meatier rim than conventional racing wheels of the era, delivering a vastly superior tactile feel and control. Fellow drivers quickly took note and clamoured for copies, with John Surtees’ adoption marking the pivotal turning point for the brand. In 1966, MOMO opened a manufacturing facility in Tregnano near Verona, Italy, landing its first official batch of orders from Ferrari, who chose to fit MOMO steering wheels across all their competition cars. While Moretti’s own driving career saw modest results early on, he went on to claim victories at the 1998 24 Hours of Daytona, 12 Hours of Sebring, and 6 Hours of Watkins Glen endurance races as a team driver in his late fifties.

Motorsport Pedigree and Championship Legacy
MOMO’s motorsport heritage is woven into pivotal moments of modern racing history. The roster of drivers who piloted MOMO wheels to victory features legendary icons including Niki Lauda, Jackie Stewart, Ayrton Senna, and Michael Schumacher. In 1983, the Brabham team clinched the F1 World Championship running MOMO lightweight alloy wheels. MOMO also served as the official steering wheel supplier for the Champ Car World Series (2004–2007) and was the exclusive steering wheel supplier for the GP2 Series across Europe and Asia. In North America, MOMO developed next-generation steering wheels for NASCAR, widely embraced by top-tier teams and drivers.

Product Lineup
The MOMO steering wheel range is categorised into three distinct segments based on application. The Racing Competition Series is headlined by the MOD lineup, including models such as the MOD.07, MOD.08, MOD.27, and MOD.30, trimmed in black suede or leather, primarily in 320 mm and 350 mm diameters, and tailored for racing quick-release boss kits. The Street Sport Series includes the Monte Carlo, Prototipo, Jet, and Race 2.0, retaining the horn push button and self-cancelling indicator function for direct aftermarket replacement of original factory steering wheels. The Heritage Classic Series, showcased by the Heritage line, features mahogany wood rims and polished metal spokes, ideal for classic restorations and old-school retro builds. In 2026, MOMO unveiled the GT50 2.0 Black Edition, boasting a combination of black leather and microfibre with genuine carbon fibre inserts, handcrafted in Italy with a 350 mm diameter.

Sim Racing Product Line
In late 2025, MOMO forged an exclusive partnership with Logitech G to roll out the SIM GT 320 and SIM GT-Racer 290 steering wheels engineered specifically for sim racing, officially hitting the Japanese market on 9 January 2026. The SIM GT 320 sports a 320 mm round rim replicating the steering feel of GT, touring car, and rally machinery, whilst the SIM GT-Racer 290 features a 290 mm flat-bottom, open-top yoke design tailored for single-seater formula and Le Mans prototype cockpits. Both units feature authentic 6-bolt mounting patterns and Italian handcrafted construction identical to real-world racing wheels, fully compatible with the Logitech G RS Wheel Hub.

Vehicle Inspection and Road Compliance
Under China's regulatory framework, the roadworthiness and vehicle inspection compliance of MOMO steering wheels hinge on airbag retention. While MOMO Street Series wheels (such as the Monte Carlo and Prototipo) typically retain the horn function, they do not house an integrated airbag. Fitting a MOMO wheel to a vehicle originally equipped with an airbag will trigger a permanent airbag warning light on the instrument cluster, which is virtually guaranteed to fail periodic roadworthiness inspections. Racing series wheels (MOD line) typically omit horn buttons and airbags entirely and require a quick-release hub, making them an outright failure item during mandatory inspections. Consequently, MOMO steering wheels are strictly suited for closed-circuit track use, non-airbag classic car restomods, or show car applications; on modern road-going vehicles equipped with factory airbags, the absence of an airbag and the resulting compliance risks represent a hard regulatory line.

Brand Positioning
MOMO occupies a unique space between hardcore motorsport equipment manufacturers (such as Sparco racing wheels) and OEM luxury marques. Its key differentiator lies in its seamless blend of Italian design aesthetics and rich motorsport provenance—the wooden Heritage series caters to classic car purists, the MOD series is built for flat-out track performance, and the SIM series extends its pedigree into sim racing esports. For enthusiasts who embrace the ethos that "the steering wheel is the only continuous point of contact between driver and machine", MOMO delivers a comprehensive product ecosystem spanning road to track, and real cockpit to virtual rig, anchored by exceptional tactile feedback, artisanal craftsmanship, and iconic motorsport prestige.