With the 2026 season about to begin on 7th March 2026, we ran a full “Simulation F1 Race” weekend (but excluded any DNF results so no crashes/retirements/DQs in this simulation) including:

• Sprint Qualifying
• Sprint
• Race Qualifying
• Simulation F1 Race

Below is how our projected F1 Race & Sprint weekend unfolded — and how FISO’s 5 suggested Fantasy Formula 1 squads scored under FanTeam Fantasy F1 scoring system. Note that the 2026 F1 Sprint calendar includes six venues—Shanghai, Miami, Silverstone, Montreal, Zandvoort and Singapore but Melbourne, the 1st race, is not among them. This simulation however includes a Sprint race (which Melbourne won’t).

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Sprint Qualifying – Full Grid

1 Russell
2 Leclerc
3 Norris
4 Verstappen
5 Piastri
6 Hamilton
7 Antonelli
8 Hadjar
9 Gasly
10 Bearman
11 Sainz
12 Lawson
13 Albon
14 Ocon
15 Alonso
16 Hulkenberg
17 Bortoleto
18 Lindblad
19 Colapinto
20 Stroll
21 Perez
22 Bottas

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Sprint – Full Results

1 Verstappen
2 Norris
3 Russell
4 Leclerc
5 Piastri
6 Hamilton
7 Antonelli
8 Hadjar
9 Gasly
10 Bearman
11 Sainz
12 Albon
13 Lawson
14 Ocon
15 Alonso
16 Hulkenberg
17 Bortoleto
18 Lindblad
19 Colapinto
20 Stroll
21 Perez
22 Bottas

Sprint DOTD (Driver of the Day): Norris

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Race Qualifying – Full Grid

1 Leclerc
2 Russell
3 Norris
4 Verstappen
5 Piastri
6 Hamilton
7 Antonelli
8 Hadjar
9 Gasly
10 Bearman
11 Sainz
12 Lawson
13 Albon
14 Ocon
15 Alonso
16 Hulkenberg
17 Bortoleto
18 Lindblad
19 Colapinto
20 Stroll
21 Perez
22 Bottas

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Simulation F1 Race – Full Results

1 Russell (Fastest Lap + Double)
2 Leclerc
3 Verstappen
4 Norris (DOTD)
5 Piastri
6 Hamilton
7 Antonelli
8 Hadjar
9 Gasly
10 Bearman
11 Sainz
12 Lawson
13 Albon
14 Ocon
15 Alonso
16 Hulkenberg
17 Bortoleto
18 Lindblad
19 Colapinto
20 Stroll
21 Perez
22 Bottas

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Full Fantasy Driver Points

(Combined across all four sessions)

Russell – 99.3
Leclerc – 86.4
Verstappen – 82.1
Norris – 76.7
Piastri – 60.7
Hamilton – 53.7
Antonelli – 47.7
Gasly – 47.5
Hadjar – 42.9
Bearman – 41.5
Sainz – 25.2
Lawson – 24.2
Albon – 22.6
Ocon – 16.7
Alonso – 14.7
Hulkenberg – 11.7
Bortoleto – 10.1
Lindblad – 9.3
Colapinto – 3.8
Stroll – 0.5
Perez – -4.5
Bottas – -6.0

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Constructor Fantasy Points

Ferrari – 21.5
Mercedes – 20.0
McLaren – 19.5
Red Bull – 16.0
Haas – 12.0
Williams – 10.5
Alpine – 10.0
Aston Martin – 10.0
Racing Bulls – 10.0
Audi – 10.0
Cadillac – 10.0

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Fantasy Squad Scores

1️⃣ Mercedes Core – 334.16
2️⃣ Constructor Maximiser – 282.78
3️⃣ Ferrari Double Stack – 250.55
4️⃣ Verstappen Aggression – 249.03
5️⃣ McLaren Momentum – 220.15

🏆 Team 1 – Mercedes Core

Drivers

• Russell (C): 99.3 ×1.25 = 124.13
• Leclerc: 86.40
• Gasly: 47.50
• Bearman: 41.50
• Hulkenberg (UD): 11.7 ×1.25 = 14.63

Constructor

• Mercedes: 20.00

TOTAL: 334.16 pts

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🔥 Team 2 – Verstappen Aggression

• Verstappen (C): 82.1 ×1.25 = 102.63
• Piastri: 60.70
• Gasly: 47.50
• Lawson: 24.20
• Bottas (UD): -6.0 ×1.25 = -7.50
• Ferrari Constructor: 21.50

TOTAL: 249.03 pts

Bottas as automatic underdog severely damages this build.

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🟥 Team 3 – Ferrari Double Stack

• Leclerc (C): 86.4 ×1.25 = 108.00
• Hamilton: 53.70
• Albon: 22.60
• Bearman: 41.50
• Colapinto (UD): 3.8 ×1.25 = 4.75
• Mercedes Constructor: 20.00

TOTAL: 250.55 pts

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🟠 Team 4 – McLaren Momentum

• Norris (C): 76.7 ×1.25 = 95.88
• Piastri: 60.70
• Gasly: 47.50
• Hulkenberg: 11.70
• Perez (UD): -4.5 ×1.25 = -5.63
• Alpine Constructor: 10.00

TOTAL: 220.15 pts

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🟢 Team 5 – Constructor Maximiser

• Russell (C): 99.3 ×1.25 = 124.13
• Piastri: 60.70
• Gasly: 47.50
• Lawson: 24.20
• Colapinto (UD): 3.8 ×1.25 = 4.75
• Ferrari Constructor: 21.50

TOTAL: 282.78 pts

Full Breakdown of Points from the “Simulation F1 Race” scenario (all drivers + constructors)

Included in the points below

• Sprint Qualifying + Sprint + Race Qualifying + Simulation F1 Race
• Team-duel points each session
• Sprint position gain (vs Sprint Qualifying)
• Race position gain (vs Race Qualifying)
• Bonuses assumed:
  • Sprint DOTD: Norris
  • Race DOTD: Norris
  • Race Fastest Lap + Double (Win+FL): Russell
  • Race fastest pit stop (constructor): Mercedes
• No DNFs/DSQs (so no -5 / -2.5 penalties)

Driver points (all 22)

Driver	Team	Sprint Qualifying	Sprint	Race Qualifying	Simulation F1 Race	Total
Russell	Mercedes	21.0	15.6	17.5	45.2	99.3
Leclerc	Ferrari	17.3	13.7	21.0	34.4	86.4
Verstappen	Red Bull	14.3	21.3	14.3	32.2	82.1
Norris	McLaren	15.4	17.7	15.4	28.2	76.7
Piastri	McLaren	12.1	11.9	12.1	24.6	60.7
Hamilton	Ferrari	11.7	11.2	11.7	19.1	53.7
Antonelli	Mercedes	9.1	9.1	9.1	20.4	47.7
Gasly	Alpine	8.7	8.5	8.7	21.6	47.5
Hadjar	Red Bull	7.9	7.7	7.9	19.4	42.9
Bearman	Haas	7.3	7.2	7.3	19.7	41.5
Sainz	Williams	5.2	5.0	4.8	10.2	25.2
Lawson	Racing Bulls	4.6	4.0	5.0	10.6	24.2
Albon	Williams	4.2	4.8	4.6	9.0	22.6
Ocon	Haas	3.1	3.5	3.1	7.0	16.7
Alonso	Aston Martin	2.8	2.9	2.8	6.2	14.7
Hulkenberg	Audi	2.1	2.5	2.1	5.0	11.7
Bortoleto	Audi	2.1	2.1	1.7	4.2	10.1
Lindblad	Racing Bulls	1.7	1.7	1.7	4.2	9.3
Colapinto	Alpine	0.6	0.6	0.6	2.0	3.8
Stroll	Aston Martin	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.2	0.5
Perez	Cadillac	-0.9	-0.9	-0.9	-1.8	-4.5
Bottas	Cadillac	-1.4	-1.4	-1.4	-1.8	-6.0

Constructor points (all 11)

Constructor	Sprint Qualifying	Sprint	Race Qualifying	Simulation F1 Race	Total
Ferrari	4.5	3.5	4.5	9.0	21.5
Mercedes	3.5	3.0	3.5	10.0	20.0
McLaren	4.0	4.5	4.0	7.0	19.5
Red Bull	3.0	4.0	3.0	6.0	16.0
Haas	2.5	2.0	2.5	5.0	12.0
Williams	2.0	2.5	2.0	4.0	10.5
Aston Martin	2.0	2.0	2.0	4.0	10.0
Alpine	2.0	2.0	2.0	4.0	10.0
Racing Bulls	2.0	2.0	2.0	4.0	10.0
Audi	2.0	2.0	2.0	4.0	10.0
Cadillac	2.0	2.0	2.0	4.0	10.0

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Key Fantasy Takeaways

• Russell captaincy dominated due to win + FL + duel wins.
• Cheap underdogs can be dangerous if they finish P21–P22.
• Constructor scoring is significant but cannot carry weak underdog picks.
• Double Mercedes/Ferrari exposure appears safest early-season strategy.

Value Analysis

Using the Simulation F1 Race model totals above, you can then optimise for:

• ✅ Maximum total projected points
• ✅ Within 105M budget
• ✅ Max 2 per team
• ✅ 5 drivers + 1 constructor
• ✅ Smart Captain (1.25x)
• ✅ Smart Underdog (1.25x cheapest driver)

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Step 1 – Value Analysis (Points per Million)

Using the simulation totals:

Driver	Price	Points	Pts/M
Russell	30	99.3	3.31
Leclerc	23.5	86.4	3.68
Verstappen	29	82.1	2.83
Norris	28	76.7	2.74
Piastri	25.5	60.7	2.38
Hamilton	22	53.7	2.44
Antonelli	26.5	47.7	1.80
Gasly	15.5	47.5	3.06
Hadjar	20.5	42.9	2.09
Bearman	14	41.5	2.96
Lawson	13	24.2	1.86
Sainz	18	25.2	1.40
Albon	17	22.6	1.33
Hulkenberg	7	11.7	1.67
Colapinto	6	3.8	0.63
Perez	5	-4.5	-0.90
Bottas	4.5	-6.0	-1.33

Best value drivers

• Leclerc (elite efficiency)
• Russell (elite ceiling)
• Gasly (midfield value)
• Bearman (cheap consistent scorer)

Underdog Strategy

We want:

• Cheapest driver not scoring negative
• Avoid Perez/Bottas
• Hulkenberg (7M) is safest cheap option

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Step 2 – Best Constructor Value

Constructor	Price	Points	Pts/M
Ferrari	6	21.5	3.58
Mercedes	7.5	20	2.67
McLaren	7	19.5	2.79
Red Bull	5.5	16	2.91

👉 Ferrari is best value constructor in this model.

For more discussion have a look at FISO’s F1 Forum.