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

Formula 1 heads to Brazil for one of the most iconic stops on the calendar – the Sao Paulo Grand Prix. The historic Interlagos circuit is known for producing unpredictable races, with sudden rain showers, late Safety Cars, and bold overtakes shaping countless moments. So, who’s set to thrive in F1 Fantasy this weekend – an F1 Sprint weekend too – as we approach the pointy end of the season?

At just over 4.3 kilometres long, Interlagos (officially the Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace) is compact but relentless, with elevation changes and technical corners that punish mistakes. After a run of high-powered yet contrasting tracks that has led us through Europe, Asia and North America since the summer break, Brazil demands a different balance – one that rewards driver rhythm, set-up precision, and strategy under pressure.

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.

Don’t forget, George Russell’s ‘Russell’s Rivals’ mini-league is still open to enter. The exciting three-race league, running from the US Grand Prix through to Las Vegas, will see the winner get an exclusive pair of Russell’s race-worn boots! Keep your eyes peeled for exciting mini leagues opening throughout the F1 Fantasy season too, providing you with even more opportunities to play and win.

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.

Interlagos’ mix of medium and high-speed corners makes it one of the most balanced tracks of the year, favouring cars with both aerodynamic efficiency and mechanical grip. Overtaking is frequent but risky, and with unpredictable weather always in play, consistency and adaptability will be key for those hoping to capitalise on any late-race chaos.

Catch up on the Mexico City highlights below and keep reading for more tips. Remember to lock in your teams before Qualifying begins on Saturday, November 8 at 1500 local time (1800 UTC).

Lando Norris ($30.4m)

A dominant display across the Mexico City weekend not only notched Lando Norris his sixth victory of 2025, but also propelled him back to the top of the World Drivers’ Championship standings.

The McLaren driver recorded his 13th score of 30 or more fantasy points this season – a metric he leads all drivers in.

He has also recorded six fastest laps to his name in 2025 and will be well-positioned to add to his tally in both the Sprint and Grand Prix sessions, based on the strong pace he has demonstrated in recent weeks.

Norris will continue to flex his racing muscle in Brazil, now that he has wrestled the championship lead back in his favour.

George Russell ($23.4m)

This weekend at Interlagos sees George Russell return to the site of his maiden Formula 1 race victory in 2022.

The Briton has been a pillar of consistency in F1 Fantasy this campaign. He has registered more than 15 fantasy points in 18 of the 20 race weekends this season – better than all other drivers on the grid in this benchmark.

The Mercedes star, who recently re-signed with the team, is the only driver on the grid to score at least 19 fantasy points in all four Sprint weekends this season.

Expect another reliable performance from the five-time Grand Prix winner, who has finished every race this season.

Lance Stroll ($8.5m)

After an unfortunate expedition into the gravel trap during the formation lap in last year’s Sao Paulo Grand Prix, Lance Stroll will be looking to make amends this time around in Brazil.

Encouragingly, Stroll averages 21 fantasy points in rain-affected race weekends this season (Australia, Miami, Silverstone), with this average in these races bested only by the McLaren pair and Nico Hulkenberg.

Although perhaps a luxury transfer for teams with a higher cost cap value because of his $8.5m price tag, the Aston Martin driver has flown under the radar recently, with fantasy scores of 14 and 10 in two of his last three race weekends.

Owned by a mere 10% of players in the game, Stroll can be an attractive differential asset – and a safe pair of hands – in what could be treacherous conditions across the race weekend.

Oliver Bearman ($8.3m)

Oliver Bearman’s recent purple patch has netted him three consecutive points finishes in the World Drivers’ Championship, which most recently included a career-best P4 last time out in Mexico.

Between the US and Mexico City Grands Prix, the rookie driver has banked 50 fantasy points, outpaced by only Charles Leclerc (77) and Max Verstappen (74) in that time.

The Haas racer is the best value driver in F1 Fantasy this season, averaging 1.25 points per $1 million spent for Bearman. He also requires at least -20 fantasy points for a $0.6m price rise this weekend.

On a weekend where we have previously witnessed wet weather wreak havoc along the grid, Bearman – a driver that is likely protected by a low points threshold for a price rise – is ready-made for your fantasy line-up.

Gabriel Bortoleto ($7.3m)

Gabriel Bortoleto will be motivated by a wave of local support on home soil this weekend.

The Kick Sauber racer averages 10.3 fantasy points dating back to Hungary and has proven to be a fan favourite in his short Formula 1 career, posting two Driver of the Day awards in 2025 – he could be in contention for a third in front of a home crowd.

A word of warning: Bortoleto has failed to finish the Grand Prix in all three rain-affected weekends this season (Australia, Miami and Silverstone).

Encouragingly though, the rookie driver only needs -2 fantasy points or more for a $0.6m price rise this weekend and with an additional session to score points on the cards with the Sprint, he should be in the box seat for it.

Other drivers to monitor: Max Verstappen, Esteban Ocon

McLaren ($35.6m)

After several weeks dogged by inconsistency, McLaren turned things around in Mexico City to record their first victory since the Netherlands.

The disappointment of its 45% in-game ownership over the last three weekends, enduring fantasy scores of less than 65 points, was quickly erased with an 85-point haul on the back of a Norris race win and Piastri finishing fifth.

The Woking-based outfit also lead all teams in fast pit stop points per race between Singapore and Mexico City, averaging 10 fantasy points. With the two-stop strategy typically the most common in Brazil, this offers more opportunities for McLaren to continue their pit stop point stream this weekend.

Expect McLaren to once again feature at the front, as Norris and Piastri continue to tussle for the lead in the World Drivers’ Championship.

Mercedes ($27.5m)

Where other teams have struggled to string together consistent fantasy performances in recent weeks, Mercedes have been remarkably reliable.

The Toto Wolff-led team has scored at least 58 fantasy points in each of the last four race weekends, including posting the fastest lap (+10 points) in the last two.

As budgets tighten and chip use increases with the upcoming Sprints, value for money assets (Mercedes are the fourth-best constructor in the game at 1.86 points per $1 million) are going to be priority targets.

For F1 Fantasy players who may be a little behind on building their team cost cap, Mercedes can be a set-and-forget premium constructor at a relatively attainable price for the remaining races on the calendar.

Other constructors to monitor: Ferrari, Aston Martin

Chip Consideration: No Negative, Autopilot

With rain in the forecast for Sao Paolo at the time of writing, the No Negative chip becomes extremely valuable if you are yet to use it this season. This chip resets any negative scoring categories (i.e., DNFs, positions lost) incurred by drivers and teams over the weekend to zero.

Negative scores tend to be more common in race weekends affected by wet weather. With an extra session of fantasy scoring too, which increases the likelihood of driver retirements and the dreaded -20 points assigned to a DNF, the No Negative protects you from that when activated.

Autopilot also provides an insurance policy on your 2X DRS Boost driver. In the event your selected driver struggled to post a competitive score in changeable conditions, this chip automatically re-assigns the 2X points multiplier to the highest scoring driver in your team.

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