Fantasy Preview: Spanish Grand Prix

Flexi-Wing Drama Continues

Over the winter break, Formula 1 announced a new technical directive that reduces the amount of allowable flexing for front wings from 15mm to 10mm. Stricter testing to enforce the new flexi-wing rules begins this weekend and all eyes are on McLaren, the most successful team since flexi-wings first made headlines last season.

Speaking to Sky Sports about the new directive, Ferrari boss, Fred Vasseur said, "in terms of pure performance, it could be a game changer". Ferrari and Red Bull are hoping the stricter regulations will reopen the World Constructors' Championship battle, and fantasy strategists should keep their options open if McLaren come out flat in Free Practice.

Max Verstappen stands out as a top alternative to Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris since he always shines in Barcelona. He won each of the last three races around this circuit and this week starts eerily similar to the first race of this triple header. At Imola two weeks ago, Verstappen was overlooked on many lineups but he went on to won his fourth consecutive Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix. This weekend, he looks to repeat the feat and inch closer to the top of the WDC leaderboard.

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Two Long-Awaited Price Changes...but do we care?

Fernando Alonso enters his homecoming weekend at the price floor of $4.5M. Many players have salivated over this moment and are eager to run the two-time world champion over the likes of Gabriel Bortoleto or Franco Colapinto but Alonso finds himself mired in one of the worst stretches of his career. He leads the grid with 4 DNFs and his -45 points on the season rank dead last among all drivers. Alonso needs 25 or more points to gain any value, so until he finds his form and Aston Martin deliver a reliable package, he carries as much risk as the rookies.

Kimi Antonelli, meanwhile, dropped below $19M after two straight negative scores which (presumably) demotes the rookie to Tier B. While many would assume a Mercedes driver in Tier B would yield significant price gains, he needs 55 points or more to avoid a $0.6M price loss. For now, let's allow Antonelli's price to continue its recent freefall. Once the negative scores fall off of his three-race average, around Austria, he could be the biggest bargain on the grid.

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Weather Outlook

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This weekend is shaping up to be clear and dry with temperatures nearly 10°F warmer than Monaco. All 20 drivers finished this race in 2023 and 2024, so the No Negative and Autopilot chips can wait another week.

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Betting Lines

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Currently leading the World Drivers' Championship, Oscar Piastri starts the week with the best odds but last week's winner (Norris) and last year's Spanish GP winner (Verstappen) lurk right behind. Hometown drivers Sainz and Alonso round out the top 10, but at this point we all trust the Williams over Aston Martin.

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Driver and Constructor Tier List

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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!

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