Baku City Circuit offers one of the toughest street circuit challenges on the Formula 1 calendar. Its heavy braking zones, limited runoff areas, and barriers just millimeters from the racing line reward precision and punish mistakes. Charles Leclerc knows that tradeoff better than any driver on the grid, and this week's Tier List explores his unusual history in Azerbaijan.
Also, a key midfield driver returns to the grid this weekend while several teams look to move up the order with a new wave of upgrades. Strap in as we review the best and worst F1 Fantasy picks for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
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Leclerc: Pole or Crash at Baku
The most boom-or-bust driver this week, Charles Leclerc is rumored to take an engine penalty and start the Grand Prix at the back of the grid. That would give him significant upside through overtakes and positions gained, making Leclerc one of the most intriguing drivers in F1 Fantasy.
Dating back to 2019, Leclerc's qualifying record in Azerbaijan followed one of two outcomes:
If Leclerc takes a new power unit this weekend, he'll need a strong performance in Qualifying to set up an easier recovery drive in the Grand Prix. If Ferrari elect not to take an engine penalty at Baku, Leclerc's inconsistent record at this circuit plus his lofty target to avoid a price drop (58 points) would push him off the fantasy radar.
Don't Sleep on Russell's Consistency
While his sophomore teammate, Kimi Antonelli, looks to extend his lead in the Drivers' Championship, George Russell quietly produces at an elite level in F1 Fantasy. He stood on the podium in five of his last eight races and is one of only two drivers to score 25 or more fantasy points in at least six races during that stretch.
At Baku, Russell finished on the podium in 2022, 2024, and 2025. Betting lines currently have Russell finishing P3 on Sunday, a high-scoring outcome for the second driver in lineups that feature all three Mercedes assets.
The New King of Reliability
After Lewis Hamilton's retirement in Madrid, Franco Colapinto now holds the longest active streak with 31 consecutive Grands Prix without a DNF. In the three races since Alpine introduced a major upgrade package at Zandvoort, Colapinto's 33 fantasy points are the most for any driver under $15M.
Players with budgets less than $122M should consider Colapinto as a high-floor midfield option. He also has the fourth lowest target to gain value (2 points), so Colapinto's upside spans both scoring and price gain potential.
For a full breakdown of the best teams for this weekend, the most likely drivers to gain value, and the top F1 Fantasy news, check out the latest episode of The Fantasy Formula:
On the Rise: Haas Drivers
Mired at the back of the grid since the summer break, Haas remain optimistic that the upgrade package introduced at Monza will improve their position in the midfield. Speaking about the outlook of this package, Team Principal Ayao Komatsu said, "We aim to build on our progress from Monza and Madrid to really unlock the potential of the package at this circuit where you know anything can happen."
As budget drivers from Cadillac and Aston Martin continue to receive DNF penalties, Haas remain one of the most reliable constructors in the midfield. Oliver Bearman and Esteban Ocon combined for just 4 DNFs through the first 14 races — Lance Stroll alone retired four times in the last five races.
For players looking to escape the price floor DNF carousel, Bearman ($5.8M) is the best replacement option thanks to his reliability and scoring upside in an upgraded VF-26.
Williams Await Biggest Upgrades of 2026
Currently P9 in the Constructors' Championship, Williams plan to bring their biggest upgrade package of the season to Baku. After a 17-point performance at Monza earned him the second lowest price gain target on the grid (2 points to gain $0.6M), Alex Albon's fantasy stock is on the rise. The Thai-British driver enters the weekend without a retirement in five straight races, his longest streak of the season.
Carlos Sainz scored his first podium with Williams at this race last season, and Albon now looks to challenge for points at a circuit that rewards strong qualifying performances. Currently P11 in the latest betting lines, Albon has the highest upside of any driver under $7M in F1 Fantasy.
Shuffle at Red Bull Downgrades Hadjar/Lawson Outlook
On Tuesday, Red Bull announced the return of Isack Hadjar after he missed the last three races due to a wrist injury. As a result, Liam Lawson returns to Racing Bulls and Yuki Tsunoda resumes his role as a reserve driver. Since Hadjar and the Racing Bulls asset of Lawson were Inactive for the previous two Grands Prix, their price targets likely include zeros for both Monza and Madrid.
Hadjar will need to score 40 or more fantasy points to avoid a price drop, while Lawson's target sits at 28 points — challenging goals for a non-Sprint weekend on a low-overtake circuit. Both drivers should contend for Top 10 finishes at Baku, but their price targets make them difficult fantasy plays this weekend.
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