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The final triple header of 2025 started with an explosive post-race penalty for McLaren and renewed the three-way title battle between Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri, and Max Verstappen. The penultimate race of the year is also the last of six Sprint weekends and the final opportunity for big risks in F1 Fantasy. Strap in as we review the top strategies to close out the year as well as the storylines for Qatar that will set your team up for success.
Home Stretch Strategy
The final Sprint weekend of the year presents the last great opportunity to push for a Top 1000 finish in the Global League or for P1 in Mini Leagues. Players that are protecting their rank will likely run a combination of George Russell with Lando Norris or Max Verstappen, McLaren, Mercedes, and the most popular Tier B drivers (Bearman, Sainz, Alonso, and Hadjar). But what strategies should you consider if you need to make one final push for a higher rank?
1. Last Call for Chips
Plan to use any remaining chips this weekend. Extra DRS Boost and Limitless pack the biggest punch but Autopilot and No Negative can protect against DNFs in either the Sprint or Grand Prix. For Extra DRS, consider a 2X driver other than George Russell for a differential: Charles Leclerc, Oscar Piastri, and even the likes of Kimi Antonelli and Lewis Hamilton provide a unique path to gaining ground on your opponent.
If a top driver qualifies at the back of the grid (overtake potential) or a budget driver finds himself in the top 5 (position points), now is the time for a risky Final Fix play to capture those extra points.
2. Go Bold with Constructors
This circuit suits McLaren, as evidenced by the recent form of Norris and Piastri in recent seasons, but until Mercedes prove otherwise in the Friday sessions they face some fierce competition for the #2 constructor spot. The Red Bull constructor has failed to score more than 50 fantasy points just once since the summer break while topping 80 points a grid-leading 4 times. Charles Leclerc claimed P2 last season in Qatar and Lewis Hamilton has three Q3 appearances despite mixed results in the Grand Prix. As we saw in Las Vegas a no-McLaren build can also unlock a huge benefit.
3. Forget About Budget Losses
Only one race remains after this one so consider Tier B drivers that stand out in Sprint Qualifying regardless of their likelihood to lose value. Liam Lawson, Fernando Alonso, Lance Stroll, and Gabriel Bortoleto enter the weekend as low-owned assets due to recent budget losses that could provide strong value. If a popular Tier B driver fails to reach the checkered flag, these differential plays could provide a late season spark.
Qatar Driver History
Through three Grands Prix at Qatar Max Verstappen achieved the most success of any driver on the grid. The reigning champion qualified on pole and won two straight races here, while qualifying and finishing P2 in 2021. Still benefitting from a fresh power unit fitted in Brazil, Verstappen enters the weekend as a top driver option. Lando Norris finished P3 in 2023 and lined up P3 in the Grand Prix last season, only to fall back to P10 due to a stop and go penalty. Norris has a strong chance of winning the Driver of the Day since he can clinch the title this weekend.
George Russell stands out as a strong #2 driver once again. The Briton started the last two Grands Prix in Qatar on the front row and finished P4 on both occasions. In 2023, Russell made contact with teammate Lewis Hamilton on lap 1 and marched through the field to salvage his weekend. Russell's 37 fantasy points were fueled by his grid-leading 9 overtakes.
Further down the grid, Fernando Alonso advanced to Q3 and scored championship points on all three visits to Qatar. Keep an eye on the "Alpink" of Pierre Gasly, who started this race on the front row in 2021 and finished P5 last season. An uncompetitive car for most of the last two seasons, Gasly came alive in the final four races of 2024 and looks to repeat the feat in 2025.
Weather Outlook
Rainy weekends at Brazil and Las Vegas presented a unique challenge to the grid, but the dry and moderate climate of the Middle East sets the stage for a more predictable outcome. By moving this race to the end of the season Formula 1 looks to avoid the cases of heat exhaustion that plagued this race in 2023. Since the finale at Abu Dhabi always comes with some surprises we recommend playing any remaining chips this weekend.
Betting Lines
The Norris vs. Verstappen debate continues with the opening lines for this week with Verstappen slightly ahead. Oscar Piastri's improved form in Las Vegas prior to his disqualification and McLaren's ability to manage tire wear vault the Australian back into podium contention. Tier B specialists Carlos Sainz, Oliver Bearman, and Isack Hadjar all round out the top 10 as their cement their place in the final meta lineup of the year.
The Fantasy Formula returns to answer your lineup questions one hour before the Sprint race, this Saturday at 8AM EST/1PM GMT, only on the official FanAmp YouTube channel. See you there!
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