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F1 FANTASY: Strategist Selection – What’s the best line-up for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix?
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The final leg of the first triple header leads us to the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, a track that has already made a mark in its short history on the F1 calendar, known for thrilling action and blistering speed.
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 considers five drivers and two teams that can help your F1 Fantasy team pick up the pace in Saudi Arabia.
Remember to lock in your teams before Qualifying on April 19, commencing at 2000 local time (1700 UTC).
Race Highlights: 2025 Bahrain Grand Prix
Drivers
George Russell ($22.0m)
For the sake of variation in the 2x DRS Boost driver slot, the Strategist opts for an in-form George Russell in Jeddah.
The Mercedes driver has finished outside the top five in a Grand Prix just once in the last 12 races and is the best qualifier this season among non-McLaren drivers.
Russell averages more than 27 points per race weekend this season, underpinned by three podiums in four Grands Prix.
For a reliable driver who has proven he can outperform the car across the weekend, look no further than the British driver.
Russell has consistently outperformed the W16 so far this season
Oliver Bearman ($7.9m)
Oliver Bearman arrives in Saudi Arabia after a P20 to P10 drive in Bahrain that was one of the best drives in his F1 career to date.
The Haas racer banked his second score of 20 or more points in his last three race weekends, contributing to his third consecutive $0.6m price increase.
Bearman led all drivers for positions gained (10) in Bahrain and continues to build on his grid-leading 25 race positions gained this season – a great source of points for the rookie driver in 2025.
Don't forget that Bearman has some F1 experience in Saudi Arabia too, having deputised for Carlos Sainz at Ferrari last season with a stunning performance that saw the young Englishman score six points for seventh place in his first Grand Prix.
Bearman has set the bar high for rookies in F1 Fantasy this season, and isn’t likely to stop anytime soon
Fernando Alonso ($6.4m)
Fernando Alonso arrives on the Strategist’s watchlist for the first time this season, at a price few expected him to be at through four races.
Although not the start to the season the Spaniard expected, he is slowly building back into form with scores of 4 and 5 after back-to-back retirements in Australia and China.
The Aston Martin driver has excellent recent history in Saudi Arabia as well – P3 and P5 finishes in 2023 and 2024 respectively.
The Jeddah Corniche Circuit is a high-powered track that will push drivers to their absolute limits so Alonso’s experience and race craft should set him up nicely for fantasy success this weekend.
Alonso has encouraging form in Saudi Arabia in recent years. Can he continue this in 2025?
Isack Hadjar ($5.1m)
Isack Hadjar returns to the Strategist’s line-up for the second week in a row, after scoring 24 F1 Fantasy points in his last three races.
Most impressively, the Racing Bulls driver has shown rapid single-lap pace through only four races.
Hadjar has an average Grand Prix Qualifying position of 9.3, only bested by Max Verstappen and the six drivers from McLaren, Mercedes, and Ferrari.
The French driver only needs six points for the maximum price rise in Saudi Arabia, which makes him a fantastic option for points and budget gain at an affordable price.
Hadjar is in a rich vein of form for Racing Bulls
Gabriel Bortoleto ($4.5m)
Gabriel Bortoleto is yet to make a meaningful impact in F1 Fantasy this season, but this weekend may well be a turning point for him with potential new owners on the horizon.
His budget-friendly price may provide greater cost cap flexibility to own the likes of higher-priced McLaren and Mercedes assets as many players pivot towards line-ups with these foundations.
Another clear benefit to running the Brazilian in your F1 Fantasy team is that he cannot fall any lower in price ($4.5m is the price floor for all assets in F1 Fantasy), regardless of how he scores.
Preserving and increasing cost cap value remains as important as ever in F1 Fantasy and having a driver that is currently immune to losing any additional value can help this strategy.
Other drivers to monitor: Oscar Piastri, Pierre Gasly
Bortoleto’s friendly price makes him an option for F1 Fantasy strategists this weekend
McLaren ($31.2m)
McLaren have not let up in F1 Fantasy after four races, leading all teams in fantasy production for total points (335), which include individual metrics such as Qualifying teamwork points (40) and fastest lap points (30).
Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris have won three of the first four races to start the year, and they are showing no signs of slowing down.
McLaren also offer exceptional value this season, despite being the highest priced asset in the game, averaging 2.75 points per $1 million spent – good for second overall in the F1 Fantasy Teams standing.
For a superb foundation of points and continued cost cap growth, the Woking-based outfit remains unmatched.
McLaren continue to provide fantastic production week in, week out
Ferrari ($27.3m)
Following a couple of races in the F1 Fantasy wilderness after a double disqualification in the Chinese Grand Prix, Ferrari re-enter the Strategist's thoughts after top-5 finishes from both drivers in Bahrain.
The Scuderia have the second-highest points average over the last two race weekends (64.5), as they build towards their first Grand Prix podium of the season.
Ferrari lead all teams for fast pit stop points per race (6.3) including back-to-back 10-pointers in Japan and Bahrain - the only team to manage this feat so far in 2025.
With two experienced drivers equipped to navigate the tight turns and fast straights in Jeddah, Ferrari are an attractive differential team this weekend.
Other constructors to monitor: Mercedes, Haas
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!
Ferrari are building back into form after a slower start to the year than they'd have wanted
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