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

Formula 1 heads to Qatar for one of the most demanding weekends of the season, where sweeping high-speed corners and high temperatures push drivers and machinery to their limits. The Sprint format returns too, giving F1 Fantasy managers another scoring session and more opportunity to change fortunes faster than ever.

With some of the harshest tyre degradation on the calendar, the Qatar Grand Prix places huge emphasis on aero efficiency, tyre management, and drivers who can manage the punishing conditions. Our F1 Fantasy Strategist returns to assess which assets are best equipped to handle the heat as the fight for late-season points reaches boiling point.

Even with only two rounds of the season left, it’s never too late to join the free-to-play game and compete for the great prizes on offer every race week! New players will need to select five drivers and two constructors within the starting cost cap of $100 million.

Be sure to join Alpine's Desert Dash mini-league that's taking place over the remaining two rounds of 2025 – the Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix. There are exciting exclusive prizes on offer, including the winner getting a virtual meet and greet with Pierre Gasly or Franco Colapinto.

Ahead of every Grand Prix weekend, our F1 Fantasy Strategist evaluates seven in-game assets – five drivers and two teams – that can help you succeed in F1 Fantasy, whether that’s eking out every point or maximising your budget.

Qatar places a premium on tyre management, aerodynamic efficiency and consistency through long, flowing corners, with the Sprint format amplifying the strategic pressure. Historically, Lusail makes reliable performers and well-balanced cars especially valuable.

Catch up on the Las Vegas Grand Prix highlights below and remember to lock in your teams before the Sprint begins on Saturday, November 29 at 1700 local time (1400 UTC).

Lando Norris ($30.4m)

McLaren's double disqualification in Las Vegas had significant repercussions in F1 Fantasy and was especially hard-hitting to the 23% of players that owned Lando Norris, who registered a season low -10 fantasy points as a result.

However, this was Norris’ first Grand Prix in two seasons where he was not deemed a classified finisher (completing 90% of the race distance) – a remarkable streak of consistency.

The Briton has finished P3 in both Qatar Sprints over the last two seasons and secured a Grand Prix podium, climbing from P10, in 2023.

McLaren have been very competitive in the medium to high-speed corners, for which Lusail has plenty, so expect Norris to be back to his very best as he aims to try and secure his maiden Drivers’ Championship.

Max Verstappen (29.8m)

Las Vegas saw Max Verstappen continue his dominance at high-powered tracks this season, posting his fifth score of 45+ fantasy points in the last seven races while taking his second win in three seasons at the track.

His excellent fantasy form in recent weeks has now propelled the Red Bull racer into first place in the F1 Fantasy driver standings with 675 points on the season.

Verstappen is also the second-best performing driver on Sprint weekends this season, averaging 36.6 fantasy points, just shy of title rival Norris (38.6).

The Dutchman now sits only 24 points adrift of the McLaren racer in the World Drivers’ Championship and will require another big result in the desert if he's to continue his remarkable comeback charge – but it's a circuit where he’s recorded back-to-back Grand Prix victories.

Carlos Sainz ($7.1m)

It has been a campaign of two halves for Carlos Sainz, but his current momentum has him firmly on the right side of his season as it stands.

The Spaniard’s 9.9 fantasy points per race weekend and one race retirement is in stark contrast to his 1.5 fantasy points and three Grand Prix retirements through the first 14 weekends of the season.

His most recent highlight was a P3 Qualifying result in Las Vegas, on his way to a 16-point haul for fantasy owners last time out.

Requiring a mere -5 fantasy points for a $0.6m price rise, Sainz’s recent form suggests he should be excellently positioned to achieve this with another strong showing.

Isack Hadjar ($6.3m)

Back-to-back double-digit fantasy scores lands Isack Hadjar back on the Strategist’s watchlist for Qatar.

His 16-point return in Las Vegas tied his second-highest score in 2025, while extending his classified finishing streak to 10 races.

The Racing Bulls rookie added to his Q3 record last weekend too, notching his 13th appearance in 22 Qualifying sessions this campaign – the best among all drivers not racing for a top-four outfit in the Teams’ Championship.

If Hadjar can continue this trend, he should score well once more at a track that rewards strong performances in Saturday’s final session.

Fernando Alonso ($4.5m)

It’s been a testing few weeks for Fernando Alonso owners in F1 Fantasy – three retirements from Monza to Las Vegas, in addition to a season-high 30 points in Singapore.

The Spaniard now heads to a circuit where he has encouraging history. He’s finished in the top seven in his three Grand Prix appearances at Lusail, including a podium with Alpine in 2021.

Now priced at $4.5m, the veteran racer cannot fall any further in fantasy value and poses as a budget-friendly option in a week many players will be targeting the likes of Norris and Verstappen for the 3X DRS Boost chip.

The Aston Martin journeyman has the second best averaging Qualifying position this season (10.7) among drivers under $15m, and will be willing the car towards another strong result in Qatar this weekend.

Other drivers to monitor: Oscar Piastri, Nico Hulkenberg

McLaren ($36.0m)

The double disqualification in Las Vegas might understandably deter many new and existing suitors for McLaren in F1 Fantasy – but it is not all bad news.

McLaren have been the highest-scoring F1 Fantasy constructor in each of the last two visits to Qatar, and they're the hot favourites to repeat this feat once more.

The MCL39 has excelled in medium to high-speed corners this season, with the team posting victories at tracks exhibiting similar characteristics, such as Bahrain, Silverstone and Zandvoort.

Expect both drivers to be in the mix to return the team to winning ways this weekend after a disappointing, albeit unexpected, result in Las Vegas.

Mercedes ($28.1m)

A double podium in Las Vegas was the cornerstone for another superb Mercedes performance in F1 Fantasy.

The Silver Arrows were once again at their best in Sin City, turning in 77 points on the back of a mesmeric drive from Kimi Antonelli ($17.5m) into the podium positions from P17 and a George Russell ($23.6m) P2 result.

The Brackley team also reeled in an additional 10 fantasy points from a 2.08 second pit stop – their second consecutive week recording double-digit points from their pit box efficiency.

With many routes to fantasy points at an economical price point relative to production, Mercedes continue to represent exceptional value towards the top of the Teams’ standings.

Other constructors to monitor: Red Bull, Racing Bulls

Chip Consideration: 3X DRS Boost

3X DRS Boost is an optimal chip to deploy on Sprint weekends. With the fantasy deadline at the start of the Sprint itself, this provides an additional session of point-scoring opportunities for your team.

Utilising this chip on two consistent drivers in high-performing teams (Verstappen and Norris, for example) will ensure you can extract the most value out of it when activated.

As always, be sure to keep a close eye on the earlier sessions to help guide your decisions in the lead up to the team lock deadline.