Fantasy Preview: Brazilian Grand Prix

Second Constructor Drama

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Over the last five races, Red Bull led all constructors with 320 fantasy points and McLaren came in fourth with 275 points. The top four constructors completely flipped in Mexico as McLaren roared back with 86 points - equal to their Singapore and Austin scores combined. With two McLaren drivers firmly entrenched at the top of the grid, the papaya-clad outfit regains its title as the top constructor in F1 Fantasy, but which team stands out as a second constructor in Brazil?

Mercedes start this week with an edge, scoring 50 or more fantasy points in four straight (the only top-4 team to achieve this feat) while costing $2.7M less than Red Bull and $4.0M less than Ferrari. George Russell scored at least 19 fantasy points in eight straight races, and Kimi Antonelli's impressive form at North American circuits picked back up after his successes at Miami and Canada earlier this season. One knock on Mercedes: they still have yet to score more than 5 pit stop points in a race weekend.

With Max Verstappen in the midst of a hot streak, Red Bull's contention this weekend comes down to the performance of Yuki Tsunoda. Tsunoda's improved second half results range from a P6 finish at Baku to P13 at Monza, but Red Bull only sent both drivers into Q3 twice in the last five races. These Qualifying Teamwork points contribute to the fine margins between the top 4 constructors.

Ferrari remain the biggest wildcard of the bunch. Charles Leclerc scored the most fantasy points of any driver between COTA and Mexico as he posted back-to-back podium finishes. Betting lines also suggest Ferrari have an edge over Mercedes entering the weekend (more on that below). Keep an eye on Ferrari's FP1 form, as this has more accurately predicted their Grand Prix outlook than Sprint Qualifying so far this season.

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Brazil Driver History

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Several drivers enter this weekend with a strong record at Interlagos. Max Verstappen finished P1 or P2 in 5 of his last 6 Brazilian GP, including last season where he started P17 and stormed back for the win. His 77 fantasy points broke the record (which he still holds today) for the highest score in a single weekend. Lando Norris started the Grand Prix on pole last season after winning the Sprint race and his 57 points in 2023 is second only to Australia 2025 as Norris's highest fantasy output.

George Russell took his maiden F1 win at this circuit in 2022 and started on the front row here last season. The Brit excels in wet conditions and with a Mercedes-favorite circuit up next in Las Vegas, many teams may roll with Russell over Charles Leclerc to conserve transfers.

Pierre Gasly finished on the podium twice in this race but, given the current state of Alpine, a top-10 finish would be a minor miracle. Keep an eye on the newly-upgraded Haas of Esteban Ocon. The French veteran scored championship points in each of his last four races in Brazil and finished an impressive P9 in Mexico.

Fernando Alonso added to a miserable history of DNFs at COTA and Mexico, but Brazil provides a fresh start for the legend to return to form. His last retirement at Interlagos came in 2009 and Alonso's excellent results in wet conditions are worth considering.

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Weather Outlook

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All eyes point to the forecast in a race that featured wet and wild racing in recent years. Five drivers retired from this race last season and another five failed to reach the checkered flag in 2023. If you have the No Negative chip, this may be the last great chance to use it.

Keep an eye on Sunday, since a dry afternoon could flip the script on the Sprint results from Saturday. As mentioned by F1 Insider Chris Medland on this week's episode of The Fantasy Formula, a dry Brazilian Grand Prix could be processional and limit overtaking.

For both rain and cooler temperatures Mercedes stand to benefit the most. George Russell's record in Brazil and consistency this season suggest he should contend for a podium, while Kimi Antontelli rides a streak of four straight races of 15 or more fantasy points.

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Betting Lines

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The opening lines capture the shift in the championship we've seen unfold since the summer break. The DRS-Boosted driver debate boils down to Norris vs. Verstappen while Charles Leclerc starts the week ahead of George Russell for the first time since Singapore. Ollie Bearman's three straight top-10 finishes earned him the 8th best line and the overtaking leader enters the weekend with a bright outlook. Yuki Tsunoda hasn't finished lower than P13 since the summer break as his 2026 seat hangs in the balance.

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The Fantasy Formula returns to answer your lineup questions one hour before Sprint race, this Saturday at 8AM EST/1PM GMT, only on the official FanAmp YouTube channel. See you there!