Fantasy Preview: Monaco Grand Prix

Overtake Overture

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Monaco earned the reputation of hosting the biggest Saturday on the Formula 1 calendar because with minimal overtaking, the Qualifying order often becomes the Grand Prix classification. The Principality ranked dead last in overtakes each of the last three season, culminating in a record low of four overtakes in 2025. This situation presents a few unique challenges to F1 Fantasy strategists:

• Mercedes enter the weekend with the lead in both championships but have recently struggled in Monaco. Their slow race starts put the Silver Arrows at risk of falling behind on Lap 1 and falling outside the podium positions.
• Cost cap gains will be harder to collect since only two Tier B drivers scored 10 or more fantasy points in Monaco last season. Aim for maximum points and drivers with high upside for the next round in Barcelona (I'm looking at you, Liam Lawson).

• The Final Fix is in play for any 2X Boost driver that qualifies P4 or lower. With little opportunity to regain positions, using this chip to swap for the polesitter can gain 30+ points on Grand Prix Sunday.

For the first time since March, three Free Practice sessions will provide more clarity on the running order. Race pace simulations from Lawrence Barretto and multiple simulations from F1 Fantasy Tools will be available to help fantasy players as they navigate these difficult decisions. And, of course, The Fantasy Formula will break down the best lineups after Free Practice 2 in our Final Thoughts video.

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The Essential 2X Pivot

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Monaco’s one-of-a-kind layout has F1 Fantasy managers second-guessing everything as they search for the right drivers. In recent years, however, Charles Leclerc has made the 2X Boost decision a breeze at his home circuit. Winner of this race in 2024, Leclerc followed with a P2 finish behind Lando Norris last season. His 82 fantasy points across the last two Monaco Grands Prix rank first among all drivers and Leclerc took home Driver of the Day honors on both occasions.

He challenges Kimi Antonelli for the top spot in fantasy lineups, and the Italian sophomore looks to rebound after a terrible Monaco debut in 2025. Antonelli finished P18, last among the finishers, and classified three laps behind the winner — a feat last achieved by Nikita Mazepin for Haas in 2021. This year's Mercedes packs enormous straight line speed, but Monaco features so many twists and turns that Straight Mode has been disabled for this weekend.

Leclerc becomes a must-have driver as Ferrari look to win their first race of the 2026 campaign. Antonelli costs $0.6M more than his Monegasque counterpart, so keep at least this much in reserve when selecting Leclerc in case disaster strikes in Qualifying and the Final Fix chip is needed.

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Monaco History

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Mercedes must break out of their Monaco slump to contend for the win this weekend. Kimi Antonelli's -2 fantasy points here last season were the fewest he scored without a DNF in his young career. George Russell has never finished on the podium in Monaco and lined up P14 in a disastrous weekend for Mercedes in 2025.

Esteban Ocon finished on the podium in 2023 while scoring a career-high 32 fantasy points. He finished in the Top 10 four times as he continues to deliver exceptional value from the midfield.

Carlos Sainz carries a high price tag at $12.8M but he's scored 54 of Williams' last 58 championship points and remains the top scoring driver in F1 Fantasy outside of the Big 4 constructors. Sainz is riding a streak of ten consecutive Top 10 finishes in Monaco, highlighted by consecutive P2 finishes in 2021 and 2022 with Ferrari.

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Weather Outlook

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The initial forecasts call for a dry weekend after rain threatened to sow chaos in both Miami and Canada. Players considering the Limitless chip will breathe a sigh of relief after Canada highlighted the dangers of using such a powerful chip in wet conditions.

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Betting Lines

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Circuit history and track characteristics drive Charles Leclerc to the top betting line this week. The Mercedes duo were betting favorites in each of the first five races but now find themselves behind Leclerc and 2025 Monaco winner, Lando Norris. Las Vegas's support of Leclerc makes the hometown favorite even more intriguing as a one-week 2X pivot.

Franco Colapinto turned heads with a career high 25 fantasy points and P6 finish in Canada. He rounds out the Top 10 as part of a group with other high upside Tier B drivers that includes Liam Lawson, Ollie Bearman, and Carlos Sainz.

For players chasing cost cap gains, these betting lines paint an ominous picture — Stroll (P20), Bottas (P22), and Bortoleto (P17) hold three of the four lowest targets to gain $0.6M but Monaco's low scoring history could lead to more disappointments at the back of the grid.

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The Fantasy Formula is back to answer all of your questions ahead of the lineup lock deadline. The action begins one hour before Qualifying, this Saturday at 9AM EST/2PM BST, only on the official FanAmp YouTube channel. See you there!

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