I feel your old fingers pain as I have same issue. Have to use auto gears as my fingers don’t lock up when using manual. So don’t have the benefit off short shifting. So keep the rears from spinning when accelerating out off slow corners is harder
And agree with both you guys Med TC seems next to useless accelerating out off corners and Full TC bogs the car down to much.
As for steering using a pad. Have you tried using extender sticks. Ive found steering is easier and more precise. Although they do have a tendency to ping off if you getting excited
https://www.kontrolfreek.com/en-gb