Race Week Rewind: COTA

F1 makes its much-anticipated return this weekend at the United States Grand Prix. Ahead of Free Practice, let's review the top F1 Fantasy storylines to inform your lineup decisions.

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Sprint Schedule Reminder

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Let's begin with a recap of the new Sprint weekend schedule for 2024. Lineups lock prior to the Sprint race (Saturday 2PM EST), allowing fantasy strategists to react to the data gathered during Free Practice 1 and Sprint Qualifying. Sprint Qualifying provides a closer approximation to the running order for the Grand Prix than the Free Practice 2 and 3 sessions on a non-Sprint weekend. As always, The Fantasy Formula Live show starts one hour before lineups lock to break down the early sessions and answer your lineup and chip questions for the weekend. The team is back together for the first time in nearly two months!

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Lawson's Impending Engine Penalty

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Liam Lawson returns to the grid this weekend but faces an engine penalty, with most outlets predicting a 10-place grid drop for the VCARB youngster. A driver with just six races to earn a 2025 seat plus a new power unit bodes well for Lawson's fantasy prospects, but his $10.2M price tag prices many teams out of affording him. Consider Lawson on par with Nico Hulkenberg (P3 for overtakes on the season), slightly ahead of teammate Yuki Tsunoda (no grid penalty), and a higher upside than Alex Albon (often trapped between P11 and P15).

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Upgrade Watch

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• Red Bull announced a major upgrade package, with reports speculating that a new floor and underbody components headline the upgrades

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• Mercedes also confirmed significant changes this week, including new sidepods and floor body as they look to return to podium contention

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• Prior to the Fall break, Ferrari shared that their US Grand Prix package will likely be their final upgrades of the season

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• While not confirmed at the time of publication, rumors suggest that McLaren will also introduce upgrades this weekend as Lando Norris fights for his first World Drivers' Championship

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Weather Update (Thursday Evening)

After initial reports hinted at a wet weekend, the forecast shifted to three days of sunshine. With a major risk avoided, the 3X DRS Boost chip stands out as a prime opportunity to climb the Global League rankings.

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Pirelli Tire Report

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Circuit of the Americas features a combination of high-speed straights and both high and low speed corners. Running a balanced car will be the key to success this weekend, a core strength for McLaren. Last season the frontrunners ran a two-stop strategy, however concerns over degradation forced most teams to run the medium and hard tires.

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Good luck this week and we'll be back on Monday to Preview the Mexican Grand Prix and launch a very special contest for an autographed F1 prize.