The Week Ahead
After two opening rounds that produced a win for each of the Mercedes drivers, the big F1 Fantasy question for the 2026 Japanese GP is whether their momentum will continue or if Ferrari can finally nail down a decent strategy. Round three in Suzuka is up next on March 27–29, and this feels like an important early-season week for fantasy players trying to decide whether to back the form team or bet on a Ferrari rebound. With prices still taking shape and the season only just getting going, one smart move here could set the tone for the next stretch of races.
Quick Reference
| Sprint Weekend? | NO—standard weekend |
| 🔒 Fantasy Lock | 11:00 PM PT, March 27 12:00 AM MT, March 28 2:00 AM ET, March 28 |
| 2× Boost | KIMI ANTONTELLI—he is the leading fantasy points scorer, while costing $4.2M less than George Russell |
| Value Pick | OLIVER BEARMAN—he is the top sub-$18.5M scorer, so expect points and a big budget boost from him |
| Constructor | MERCEDES—by far the strongest team overall in both races so far |
| One to Avoid | ASTON MARTIN—avoid both the constructor and the drivers until they can figure out their car |
| Chips to play this week | None |
The Circuit
Suzuka is one of the most demanding tracks on the calendar: a fast, flowing circuit with long sequences of high-load corners that reward well-balanced cars more than pure straight-line speed. That makes qualifying especially important, because track position still matters a lot here, even if recovery drives are possible. There was more overtaking in 2024, but the 2025 race was far more processional, reinforcing the idea that you should value strong qualifiers this weekend.
Strategy-wise, Suzuka often leans toward a one-stop because Pirelli is bringing the hardest tyre compounds in its range, which helps keep degradation under control. Don’t expect too many pit stop fantasy points this weekend.
2025 saw all 20 drivers reach the finish, while 2024 featured early drama and three DNFs. The current weather forecast looks mostly dry, with the highest chance for rain on Saturday afternoon during qualifying. This should lean towards a more reliable finish, with little impact on the cars.
Building Your Team This Week
Locks, value picks, and drivers to avoid this weekend. Prices and ownership current as of this week. Full methodology in our PPM guide.
| Tier | Driver / Constructor | Price | Owned | Price Move | Why This Week |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🟢 Lock | KIMI ANTONELLI | $23.8M | 32% | ▲ +$0.3M | Leading fantasy points scorer and much cheaper than Russell |
| 🟢 Lock | MERCEDES | $29.9M | 32% | ▲ +$0.3M | Have taken every win this year so far |
| ⭐ Value | OLIVER BEARMAN | $8.6M | 61% | ▲ +$0.6M | Best value driver |
| ⭐ Value | HAAS | $8.6M | 32% | ▲ +$0.6M | Budget-building constructor |
| 🔴 Avoid | LANCE STROLL | $6.8M | 3% | ▼ −$0.6M | Struggling to finish races |
| 🔴 Avoid | ASTON MARTIN | $9.1M | 2% | ▼ −$0.6M | Struggling to finish races |
Fantasy Implications from F1 News
- McLaren: With only one car running in the Australian GP and no cars running in the Chinese GP, McLaren has very limited race-pace data to work with.
- Aston Martin: Jak Crawford will be replacing Fernando Alonso in FP1 this weekend, which doesn’t directly affect fantasy points, but gives Alonso a bit less time in the car before qualifying and the race.
This Week’s Pick & Last Week’s Result
Our Lineup—Japanese GP 2026
| Slot | Driver / Constructor | Price | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Driver 1 (2× Boost) | KIMI ANTONELLI | $23.8M | Fantasy points leader and somewhat affordable |
| Driver 2 | OLIVER BEARMAN | $8.6M | Best value |
| Driver 3 | FRANCO COLAPINTO | $7.0M | Great value for budget building |
| Driver 4 | LIAM LAWSON | $6.9M | Great value |
| Driver 5 | SERGIO PEREZ | $6.4M | Great value for budget building |
| Constructor 1 | MERCEDES | $29.9M | Fantasy points leader |
| Constructor 2 | FERRARI | $23.9M | Second in fantasy points and more affordable |
| Total | $106.5M |
Strategy: This lineup balances points-scoring with budget building. Most if not all of these assets are expected to increase by their maximum amount.
F1 Fantasy Japanese GP 2026—FAQ
Who should I Boost in F1 Fantasy for the Japanese GP?
You should boost George Russell. If you can’t spend the money to have him on your team, take Kimi Antonelli and boost him instead.
Is Suzuka good for overtaking in F1 Fantasy?
Not really. When there are collisions, overtakes happen, especially at the start. But when Suzuka is a straightforward race, there aren’t normally many overtakes.
Who are the best value picks for F1 Fantasy at the Japanese GP?
Oliver Bearman and Haas are the best value picks this weekend. Bearman is in great shape, and Haas seems to be the favourites outside the usual top-four, meaning both could lead to maximum budget increases.
What are you running this week? Drop your lineup in the comments.
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