Fantasy Preview: Monaco Grand Prix

A New Cost Cap Building Duo Emerges

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With their Jeddah DNFs in the rear view mirror, Pierre Gasly and Yuki Tsunoda enter this weekend as two of the most likely drivers to earn a price increase. Tsunoda needs more than -2 points for a $0.2M increase, while Gasly needs just 7 points for a $0.6M increase. Gasly thrives at the pricincipality, scoring three top-ten finishes in his last three visits, which is critical considering most points this weekend will be scored via Qualifying and Grand Prix finishing position.

Last week's most promising Tier B drivers, Alex Albon and Lance Stroll, need 0 and 3 points, respectively, for a $0.2M increase while Nico Hulkenberg leads all drivers with a 5 point threshold for $0.6M. Albon and Hulkenberg should have a low price gain target at Spain due to their strong performances at Imola, so for those players looking to conserve transfers consider these two veterans.

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Monaco's Unique Rule for 2025

In February, the FIA announced that this year's Monaco Grand Prix will require two pit stops and running at least three different tire compounds. The ruling comes after a disappointing race in 2024 where an early red flag allowed drivers to complete their mandatory one-stop early, and just six drivers elected to take new tires under racing conditions.

Also factoring into this decision is Monaco's historically low rate of overtaking. The tight and winding street circuit saw the fewest overtakes on the entire calendar in each of the last three seasons, with 2022 and 2024 providing fewer than 20 total overtakes.

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Fewer overtakes typically suppresses fantasy scoring, which leaves several popular assets at risk of missing their targets for price gains this weekend. Isack Hadjar is still owned on more than half of all teams (56%) but needs to score at least 9 points to avoid a price drop. Mercedes, meanwhile, have their most ambitious goal for a maximum price gain all season of 33 points - just three constructors scored 33 or more points at this race in 2024.

The new provision for 2025 may enable the teams that qualified low to attempt undercuts and overcuts to vault their way into the top 10. Expect a few surprise finishes in your lineup this week - for better or for worse!

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Weather Outlook

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The early forecast predicts a few showers around the start of Qualifying, but the track should be dry for all events this weekend. While many players are tempted to use No Negative at such a tight street circuit, Monaco boasts one of the lower DNF totals in recent seasons. 2024's DNFs stemmed from an unusual three-car incident involving Sergio Perez and the Haas duo of Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hulkenberg, while Esteban Ocon's retirement came after an even crazier collision with teammate Pierre Gasly.

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Betting Lines

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Betting lines opened with another McLaren 1-2, but the lines for Piastri and Norris will shuffle throughout the practice sessions. An impressive finish at Imola landed the Williams duo in P8 and P9, and it comes as a relief to see Fernando Alonso round out the top 10. Hopefully Aston Martin's new floor will improve the Spanish veteran's fortunes this weekend.

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Driver and Constructor Tier List

Stay tuned - once The Fantasy Formula films for this week this section will be updated!

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The Fantasy Formula returns to answer your lineup questions one hour before the start of Qualifying, this Saturday at 9AM EST/2PM BST, only on the official FanAmp YouTube channel. Be sure to head over to the FanAmp app to share your lineup in The Fantasy Formula base and have it reviewed during the broadcast. See you there!