What’s the best F1 Fantasy line-up for the Bahrain GP?

Formula 1 returns to the desert in Bahrain for the second stop in this triple header, following the race in Suzuka where Max Verstappen came out on top.

It’s not too late to join the free-to-play game to compete for the great prizes on offer each week! New players will need to select five drivers and two constructors within the starting cost cap of $100 million.

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The Strategist evaluates five drivers and two teams that can propel your F1 Fantasy team forward this weekend in Bahrain.

But remember to lock in your teams before Qualifying starts on April 12 at 1900 local time (1600 UTC).

Race Highlights: 2025 Japanese Grand Prix

Drivers

Oscar Piastri ($23.1m)

Oscar Piastri re-enters the Strategist’s thinking as an excellent value-for-money driver in a top team.

The Australian, who has been one of the most popular 2x DRS Boost candidates this season alongside Lando Norris ($29.9m), has outscored his team mate across China and Japan combined, despite coming in at a price $6.8m less than the Briton.

The Chinese Grand Prix winner finished third in Suzuka last time out and has the equal-best Qualifying record in 2025.

In the last three trips to Bahrain, the driver that has taken pole position has gone on to win the race – a good omen for Piastri if he can replicate his Qualifying result from China.

SHANGHAI, CHINA - MARCH 23: Race winner Oscar Piastri of Australia and McLaren attends the press — Piastri has taken a huge step forward this season

Esteban Ocon ($8.7m)

Esteban Ocon stays on the radar as he arrives in Sakhir on the back of consecutive $0.6m price rises.

The Haas veteran has had a mixed bag of results so far this year with scores of 8, 24 and 1 in his last three outings.

Although Ocon has two Q1 exits this year so far, it’s not all bad news and he is equal third among all drivers for race positions gained.

The French driver will look to demonstrate more of his race craft and experience this weekend as he aims to propel the Haas further up the grid.

SUZUKA, JAPAN - APRIL 06: Esteban Ocon of France driving the (31) Haas F1 VF-25 Ferrari leads — Ocon’s stock in F1 Fantasy continues to rise

Oliver Bearman ($7.3m)

Although Oliver Bearman turned in a paltry four F1 Fantasy points in Japan, he still managed to pull off two overtakes on his way to a P10 result for the American team.

Much like his team mate, the rookie driver’s back-to-back $0.6m price rises stems from his 20-point fantasy performance back in Shanghai.

Bearman leads all drivers in Grand Prix overtakes (12) and positions gained (15) – a fantastic accomplishment to date in his debut season.

Consider drafting in the 19-year-old this week if you need a reliable rookie.

SUZUKA, JAPAN - APRIL 03: Oliver Bearman of Great Britain and Haas F1 looks on during previews — Bearman has been a reliable source of points and cost cap growth in F1 Fantasy this season

Jack Doohan ($5.4m)

Jack Doohan has quietly gone about his business lately, recording fantasy scores of 11 and 6 in China and Japan respectively.

What may also provide a boost for potential new owners of the Australian is the rolling three-race average that dictates price changes this season.

BETTING GUIDE: Who are the favourites as F1 heads to Bahrain?

Doohan’s retirement in Melbourne now falls off his trailing average, which means the rookie needs to score a mere 3 points in Bahrain for the maximum $0.6m price increase – a very achievable threshold for him.

SUZUKA, JAPAN - APRIL 06: Pierre Gasly of France driving the (10) Alpine F1 A525 Renault on track — The Australian will be looking for a strong result in Bahrain

Isack Hadjar ($4.5m)

Ever since his formation lap disaster on debut in Melbourne, Isack Hadjar has been in a rich vein of form.

The French driver has averaged 9.5 F1 Fantasy points per race weekend across China and Japan, which has included stellar back-to-back P7 qualifying results.

With the three-race rolling average plaguing Hadjar’s ability to appreciate in value after his Australian GP DNF, he has now hit the $4.5m price floor.

However, this economic price point for the Racing Bulls rookie means he can only go up in value and provides solid fantasy production and budget growth as an exciting midfield talent.

Other drivers to monitor: George Russell and Gabriel Bortoleto

SUZUKA, JAPAN - APRIL 03: Isack Hadjar of France and Visa Cash App Racing Bulls looks on during — Hadjar has generally been exceeding expectations for Racing Bulls this year

Teams

McLaren ($30.9m)

McLaren remains head and shoulders above the nine other F1 Fantasy teams – they average 17 points per race more than their nearest challenger, Mercedes.

The Woking-based outfit has been consistent in qualifying, securing all 30 of the available teamwork points this season that reward both drivers making it into Q3.

In addition, McLaren are the holder of the fastest lap in Australia and China and are second for average pit stop points per race (5.7).

Both McLaren drivers are off to a flying start in 2025, making them the highest scoring F1 Fantasy team to date, and it’s not stopping anytime soon.

SUZUKA, JAPAN - APRIL 06: Lando Norris of Great Britain driving the (4) McLaren MCL39 Mercedes on — McLaren will be aiming to be back on the top step of the podium this weekend

Mercedes ($23.6m)

Mercedes has flown under the radar this season with bigger headlines detracting away from some excellent performances by both drivers. The team has accrued 192 points so far, good for second in the F1 Fantasy Teams’ standings.

Mercedes has also demonstrated scoring potential in other metrics too – the team recorded 15 fast pit stop points (T-3rd) and 10 fast lap points (2nd) through three race weekends.

The German outfit continues to represent great value, underlined by averaging 2.78 points per 1 million dollars spent each race weekend (second only to Haas in this metric) and many F1 Fantasy pundits expect this to continue in Bahrain.

Other constructors to monitor: Racing Bulls and Red Bull

As always, be sure to keep a close eye on free practice to help guide your decisions for drivers and teams in the lead up to the team lock deadline!