I'm also trying to get back using d-pad, i began to use stick on wo fusion. Feeling of the ship is somewhat solid with the d-pad, as where the stick tends to wander around. Also you can handle BR's much easier in tight spots with d-pad, i'm struggling also with pitch atm, but i believe i'm getting hang of it quite soon. What i like('d) about stick is how smooth ride you can get with it, but when you are racing against some serious contenders, you can throw smoothness out of window. Week or two intensive d-pad practice should do the trick, and i can start racing online with it