Introducing: The Three-Headed Monster
The next level of meta lineups unlocked for a select group of strategists last week at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Teams featuring Oscar Piastri, George Russell, Carlos Sainz, and the Ferrari and Mercedes constructors started as low as $128.3M. With the final three Sprint weekends approaching, which handsomely reward top-10 drivers, reaching this tier presents the last great opportunity to further spread out the Global League standings. With Piastri and Charles Leclerc graduating to Tier A, reaching this next milestone will rely on timely price gains from the likes of Sainz, Russell, and a host of Tier C drivers.
To demonstrate the power of a three-headed monster, let’s compare the Baku results of two top teams in the Global League (also friends of The Fantasy Formula). Leapers One rallied around the trio of Leclerc/Piastri/Russell for a tremendous 264 points. PorscheF1 brilliantly stuck with Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc for an impressive 242 points, but the benefits of a third elite driver are evident. While many strategists appear ready to abandon their pursuit of price gains, this new approach presents an incentive worth waiting for.
The Curious Case of Colapinto
Franco Colapinto joined the grid with low expectations following the dismissal of Logan Sargeant but the Argentinian rookie turned heads in his first two F1 weekends. At Baku alone he scored four times as many championship points as Logan Sargeant amassed in nearly two years while outqualifying his teammate, Alex Albon. Since Monza, he scored the most fantasy points for any driver under $20M (20 points). His $1M in value gained over that period provides an added bonus considering Sargeant lost value in 11 consecutive races prior to his exit.
The strong performance from Colapinto and Albon arrives after a significant aerodynamic upgrade introduced by Williams at Zandvoort. Reports suggest that the second half of that package may arrive at Singapore this weekend, so could the Williams duo extract even more out of the FW46? Could a wet and narrow circuit spark the first major blunder for Colapinto? While risk lurks around every corner at Marina Bay, Colapinto stands out as a value pick heading into this weekend.
Singapore History
Due to frequent rain and the circuit’s narrow walls, this race presents a prime opportunity to activate the No Negative chip. Four drivers retired in 2023 and a season-high six drivers failed to reach the checkered flag in 2022. Tier C drivers that survive this race should be rewarded handsomely if history repeats itself this weekend. George Russell fans, avert your eyes. The British driver’s three F1 starts at Singapore ended with a DNF in 2019, P14 and last of the finishers in 2022, and a heartbreaking DNF after making a charge for the lead on the final lap last season.
Entering the week as a popular driver for the 2X DRS Boost, Charles Leclerc finished P4 or higher in each of his last three races at Marina Bay. His teammate, Carlos Sainz, benefited from Russell’s late crash to become the only non-Red Bull driver to win a 2023 Grand Prix. His P3 finish the year before suggests that Ferrari will continue its reign as a top constructor. Lando Norris boasts two recent top-4 finishes while his title rival, Max Verstappen, has never won a Drivers’ Championship and finished on the podium at this race in the same season. When selecting midfield drivers, consider that Yuki Tsunoda and Esteban Ocon DNF’d each of the past two seasons here.
Weather
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Right on cue, the forecast predicts rain all week as another wet and wild race awaits. Any chips that buffer against bad luck (No Negative, Autopilot, and Final Fix) warrant some consideration to avoid disaster in this one.
Three Lineups for Three Budgets
$119M
With prices rising rapidly after Baku, the lowest budgets pack less of a punch than in recent week. Oscar Piastri's recent form vaults him to a top 2X option for this week, and while George Russell ultimately crashed on the final lap last season, he had a strong grasp on this circuit and looks to avenge his 2023 heartbreak. Double Williams suddenly look like a strong play, especially with rumors of more aero upgrades heading their way.
$124M
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The triple McLaren + Ferrari entry point continues to provide the strongest value each week. Both Ferrari drivers perform well at Marina Bay and if the back markers survive the inevitable attrition in this race, a $0.5M price increase awaits.
$129M
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The Norris and Leclerc lineup is fully interchangeable with Norris and Piastri at this point, but leaning toward Leclerc for his history at this circuit is a good starting point for the week. Alex Albon tied a season high at Baku with 12 points while Pierre Gasly quietly contended for points after a brutal disqualification on Saturday. Ride an upgraded midfield to maintain an edge over the lower budget teams.
For anyone wondering, the cheapest three-headed monster (PIA-RUS-SAI-BOT-COL-FER-MER) sits just out of reach of the top budget here at $130.4M.
The Fantasy Formula returns this Tuesday, September 17th, only on the FanAmp YouTube channel. Also, tune in Saturday, September 21st at 7AM EST/12PM BST for the Deadline Live Stream where we'll answer all your questions before lineups lock. Be sure to head over to the FanAmp app to share your lineup in The Fantasy Formula base and have it reviewed during the broadcast. See you there!
