The Week Ahead

Formula 1 returns from the summer break with momentum shifting after Lando Norris’s breakthrough win in Hungary. Kimi Antonelli still controls the Drivers’ Championship, holding a 50-point advantage over Lewis Hamilton, while Mercedes leads Ferrari by 72 points in the Constructors’ standings. The F1 Fantasy Dutch GP 2026 is also a Sprint weekend, leaving just one practice session before Sprint Qualifying. With limited data before teams lock, the key fantasy decision will be whether to trust the established frontrunners or gamble on recent upgrades and emerging value picks.

Quick Reference

Sprint Weekend?	YES
🔒 Fantasy Lock	3:00 AM PT, August 22 4:00 AM MT, August 22 6:00 AM ET, August 22
2× Boost	CHARLES LECLERC—favourited driver this weekend
Value Pick	NICO HULKENBERG—very affordable and may snag a price increase
Constructor	FERRARI—favourited constructor this weekend
One to Avoid	CADILLAC—new bottom constructor
Chips to play this week	Since it’s a Sprint weekend, extra points are up for grabs, so consider using your Limitless or 3× Boost

The Circuit

Zandvoort is a short, narrow 4.3 km circuit built around fast, flowing corners and distinctive banking, with 72 laps producing little room for error. Overtaking is difficult, making qualifying and track position particularly important and limiting the upside from positions-gained points compared with more pass-friendly circuits. Dry races typically favour a one-stop strategy, as teams prioritize track position despite the effectiveness of the undercut. Since returning in 2021, three of five Dutch Grands Prix have featured a full Safety Car, while 2024 remarkably produced no retirements. Last year swung the other direction, with three Safety Cars and DNFs for Hamilton, Leclerc, and Norris. Showers are currently possible Friday and Saturday, adding volatility during the Sprint sessions, although Sunday looks mostly dry. Overall, Zandvoort rewards frontrunners and strong qualifiers, with midfield value picks becoming more attractive if the changeable weather creates opportunities.

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 (movement)	Why This Week
🟢 Lock	CHARLES LECLERC	$23.9M (▲ $0.3M)	Anticipated top driver and almost guaranteed price increase
🟢 Lock	FERRARI	$26.6M (▲ $0.3M)	Anticipated top constructor and almost guaranteed price increase
⭐ Value	NICO HULKENBERG	$3.0M ($0.0M)	Recent form could finally lead to a price increase
⭐ Value	AUDI	$6.8M (▲ $0.6M)	Seemingly at the front of the Tier B pack and set for a price increase
🔴 Avoid	VALTTERI BOTTAS	$3.0M ($0.0M)	Recent troubles expected to continue
🔴 Avoid	CADILLAC	$3.0M (▼ $0.6M)	They are now the team to avoid with their lack of pace and upgrades

Fantasy Implications from F1 News

• Isack Hadjar: Red Bull has announced that Isack Hadjar will not race this weekend and will be replaced by Liam Lawson. Yuki Tsunoda steps up to take Lawson’s Racing Bulls seat. Lawson will take on Hadjar’s price ($14.5M), while Tsunoda will take on Lawson’s price ($10.3M)
• McLaren: The team have confirmed they are bringing yet another upgrade to Zandvoort.
• Mercedes: They are also bringing an upgrade, but both drivers have power unit penalties approaching due to engine losses earlier in the year. With Zandvoort’s poor overtaking opportunities, they are likely reluctant to take those penalties this weekend.

This Week’s Pick & Last Week’s Result

Our Lineup — Dutch GP 2026

Slot	Asset	Price	Why
Driver 1 (2× Boost)	CHARLES LECLERC	$23.9M	Top driver this weekend
Driver 2	LIAM LAWSON	$14.5M	Good pick if he carries Hadjar’s pace
Driver 3	GABRIEL BORTOLETO	$7.8M	Strong recent pace
Driver 4	NICO HULKENBERG	$3.0M	Affordable and could go up in price
Driver 5	LANCE STROLL	$3.0M	Affordable
Constructor 1	MERCEDES	$32.6M	Fantasy points leader
Constructor 2	FERRARI	$26.6M	Top constructor this weekend
Total		$111.4M

Strategy: We considered using our 3× Boost Chip, but our $117.0M budget isn’t quite enough to justify two Tier A drivers and two Tier A constructors. That lineup right now costs closer to $120.0M. We’ll hold until the next Sprint weekend (Singapore) with the goal of building our budget enough for a four-Tier-A-asset lineup.

Last Race: Hungarian GP Result

Mercedes and Ferrari proved to be the best choices, despite a few battles between the top four teams. Nico Hulkenberg scored a few points but again not enough for a budget increase.

Season Progress

F1 Fantasy Dutch GP 2026 — FAQ

Who should I Boost in F1 Fantasy for the Dutch GP?

With Ferrari seemingly the favourite constructor this weekend, you should look at boosting either Charles Leclerc or Lewis Hamilton.

Is Zandvoort good for overtaking in F1 Fantasy?

Zandvoort is not a strong overtaking circuit, with its narrow layout and limited passing opportunities making track position and qualifying especially important. That limits the positions-gained upside of midfield drivers, so fantasy players should generally prioritize frontrunners and strong constructors rather than relying on recovery drives from cheaper value picks.

Who are the best value picks for F1 Fantasy at the Dutch GP?

With Audi’s recent form, both drivers and the constructor look to continue performing this weekend and are set to go up in value. The Racing Bulls as a constructor have also had very strong form over the last couple of races, essentially locking in their own price increase as well.

What are you running this week? Drop your lineup in the comments — and check back after Sprint Qualifying for any last-minute changes.

New to F1 Fantasy? Complete Beginner’s Guide — Last Week’s Results: Hungarian GP Review — Track Practice Data: Dutch GP Lock Guide