F1 FANTASY: Strategist Selection – What’s the best line-up for the 2025 Austrian Grand Prix?

The Crimson Bull Ring in Austria performs host to Method 1 this weekend, which suggests our Strategist has as soon as once more been delving by means of the info, crunching the numbers and contemplating the choices which may make all of the distinction in F1 Fantasy.

It’s by no means too late to affix the free-to-play game and compete for the great prizes on offer each race week! New gamers might want to choose 5 drivers and two constructors inside the beginning price cap of $100 million.

Preserve a watch open for exciting mini leagues popping up all through the F1 Fantasy season too, creating much more probabilities to play and win.

Forward of each race weekend, our F1 Fantasy Strategist considers seven in-game belongings – 5 drivers and two groups – which may assist kick your crew into gear, whether or not that’s eking out each level or maximising your funds.

Dusting off the cobwebs after per week off between races, the Strategist notes that George Russell, Grand Prix victor – and highest F1 Fantasy level scorer – last time out in Canada, was additionally a shock winner when Formula 1 last visited Spielberg. Can the Mercedes driver do it once more?

Make amends for the Canada highlights beneath and maintain studying for extra suggestions. Bear in mind to lock in your groups earlier than Qualifying begins on Saturday, June 28 at 1600 native time (1400 UTC).

Max Verstappen ($29.2m)

So far as differentials go this weekend, there aren’t many higher than the 17%-owned Max Verstappen on the Crimson Bull Ring.

The Dutchman has secured the final seven pole positions in Austria (in all codecs and together with the Styrian Grand Prix), which features a podium end in each race he has made it to the chequered flag between 2016 and 2023 – he was on monitor for the same end in 2024 till his collision with Lando Norris ($31.0m) with eight laps remaining.

The Crimson Bull racer additionally leads all drivers for Driver of the Day wins in 2025 (+10 factors in F1 Fantasy), with three to his identify thus far this season. Kimi Antonelli ($18.3m) is the one different driver to have multiple.

Though Verstappen’s price ticket could dissuade some new house owners, latest historical past means that nobody else comes near him round this circuit.

Nico Hulkenberg ($7.2m)

For the honours of the third-most fantasy factors scored throughout the final two races, that goes to Kick Sauber’s Nico Hulkenberg.

With back-to-back Grand Prix finishes inside the highest eight, the German has catapulted himself to P8 within the F1 Fantasy driver standings.

The veteran racer has solely been outscored by George Russell and Oscar Piastri throughout Spain and Canada – a outstanding run of consistency that units him up for a hat-trick of $0.6m worth rises.

Hulkenberg is a must-own asset in F1 Fantasy this weekend for any engaged participant.

Pierre Gasly ($5.8m)

Pierre Gasly’s 2025 marketing campaign has been riddled with inconsistencies however could enchantment to some adventurous F1 Fantasy gamers this week.

The Alpine veteran leads all 20 drivers on the grid in 2025 with three Grand Prix retirements (tied with Fernando Alonso). In consequence, Gasly’s worth has been in freefall, lowering $0.6m in worth each race since Australia.

Nonetheless, not all hope is misplaced for the Frenchman in F1 Fantasy. At $5.8m, he solely requires 5 fantasy factors for a most $0.6m worth rise this weekend – on the again of recreation scores of 10 and 6 within the final two race weekends.

At a worth only a few anticipated him to be at when beginning the 12 months at $11.8m, now could also be a fantastic alternative to capitalise on this discount asset.

Fernando Alonso ($5.1m)

Very similar to Pierre Gasly, Fernando Alonso has additionally struggled for momentum on monitor and in F1 Fantasy this season.

Contemplating his begin to the marketing campaign, the Spaniard has been on a outstanding run throughout Spain and Canada, recording 36 factors – good for sixth finest in whole amongst all drivers throughout that span.

Aston Martin’s latest enhancements to the automotive have contributed to Alonso banking back-to-back prime 10 race outcomes.

Averaging 4.0 factors per $1 million spent in his final two outings, there isn’t a greater worth choice on the grid heading into Austria.

Gabriel Bortoleto ($4.5m)

Gabriel Bortoleto represents a secure decide in F1 Fantasy in terms of funds, figuring out he can fall no decrease than the $4.5m worth flooring.

The Kick Sauber rookie can take some confidence from his Austrian victory within the F2 Function Race with Invicta final 12 months, and a P2 end with Trident in F3 the 12 months earlier than.

Fascinatingly, the younger Brazilian has solely retired in Grands Prix this season when moist climate affected the race weekend – Australia and Miami.

With heat climate within the forecast on the time of writing, this stands out as a great omen for Bortoleto.

Different drivers to observe: Oscar Piastri, Carlos Sainz

McLaren ($33.0m)

The 40-point F1 Fantasy outing for McLaren in Canada was definitely a purple herring – not since Japan 2024 (39) has the crew scored much less in a single race weekend.

Montreal was the primary time this season the Woking squad weren’t the very best scoring crew throughout a race weekend – they have been fourth behind Mercedes, Ferrari and Crimson Bull.

Nonetheless, that is removed from a trigger for concern. Norris and Piastri have contributed to 83.2 factors per race weekend this season, 33.6 factors greater than their nearest rival, and McLaren stays the perfect worth asset within the recreation at 2.66 factors per $1 million spent.

Though the crew’s type might need hit a bump, don’t anticipate this to be a daily prevalence as they seek for their seventh rating of 80 or extra fantasy factors within the final eight races in Spielberg.

Mercedes ($24.7m)

It’s laborious to disregard the attract of the Silver Arrows on the Crimson Bull Ring, a circuit the place George Russell gained final 12 months.

Mercedes recorded their best-ever F1 Fantasy rating in Canada (87), bettering on their 1-2 end in Las Vegas 2024 (82), after securing one other quickest lap outcome this season.

Though their front-running rivals Ferrari ($29.1m) outscore the Brackley-based crew on common by 2.1 fantasy factors per weekend, the German producer has extra podiums (Mercedes’ six vs Ferrari’s three) and quickest laps (Mercedes’ two vs Ferrari’s zero) this 12 months.

If Russell and Antonelli deliver their A-Recreation in Austria, anticipate the 18% possession to creep up.

Different constructors to observe: Kick Sauber, Ferrari

As at all times, you’ll want to maintain a detailed eye on free follow to assist information your selections for drivers and groups within the lead as much as the crew lock deadline.