F1 FANTASY: Strategist Selection – What’s the best line-up for the Japanese Grand Prix?

Japan kicks off the first triple header of the season following a Chinese Grand Prix that had widespread ramifications in F1 Fantasy on the back of several retirements and disqualifications.

It’s not too late to join the free-to-play game to compete for the great prizes on offer each week! New players need to select five drivers and two teams within the starting cost cap of $100 million.

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Whether your new, or need some inspiration after the first two races, the F1 Fantasy Strategist has evaluated five drivers and two teams that can provide an instant impact to your F1 Fantasy team this weekend in Suzuka.

Keep reading for seven F1 Fantasy tips that can help you out, and remember to lock in your teams before Qualifying starts at 1500 local time (0600 UTC) on April 5.

Drivers

Lando Norris ($29.6m)

After only two race weekends this season, Lando Norris has not just built up a healthy lead in the World Driver’s Championship, but also in F1 Fantasy.

The five-time race winner has chalked up 100 fantasy points already this season, 39 points ahead of his nearest rival.

READ MORE: ‘We want to beat each other’ – Norris expects ‘tougher times’ battling Piastri amid McLaren pair’s potential rivalry

Despite his premium price tag, the Briton is still the fourth-best value driver on the grid averaging 1.72 points per million – behind only Lance Stroll and the Haas duo, Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman.

After P1 and P2 in both Grands Prix this campaign, there aren’t many better options for the 2x DRS Boost than Norris either.

Lance Stroll ($9.3m)

Lance Stroll makes his second appearance in the Strategist Selection this season, on the back of fantasy scores of 16 and 17 points in the first two race weekends of 2025.

The Canadian is off to his best-ever start to a season and has scored all 10 of Aston Martin's points in the Constructor’s Championship so far.

READ MORE: Alonso thankful to avoid ‘massive crash’ after ‘super scary’ brake failure that ended his race in China

Stroll can take encouragement that some of his most memorable individual performances have come in wet weather – particularly his pole position in the 2020 Turkish Grand Prix and more recently his P6 in Australia this year.

With rain in the forecast for this weekend, there is every chance that the Aston Martin stalwart puts himself in contention for points once more.

Esteban Ocon ($8.1m)

Esteban Ocon is currently seventh in the F1 Fantasy driver standings, averaging 16 points per race across Australia and China.

Although the car’s performance has been mixed in 2025, Ocon’s experience and racecraft has made him a productive asset to own.

READ MORE: Ocon and Bearman hail ‘amazing’ Haas turnaround after double-points haul in China

The French driver currently leads the grid in positions gained (14) across three racing sessions so far this season too.

Based on his recent results, Ocon needs to score more than -2 fantasy points to secure the maximum price rise of $0.6m in Japan – a low bar for a driver that has demonstrated a high ceiling so far this year.

Nico Hulkenberg ($7.6m)

Although Nico Hulkenberg only produced two fantasy points in China, he remains only one of two drivers (Stroll is the other) to have gone up $0.6m in both races this year.

The German’s racecraft and experience has served his 36% ownership well – securing vital price rises amid rival drivers in the midfield failing to finish races and falling in value.

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Questions remain about the true pace of the Sauber this year, though Hulkenberg made Q2 in Qualifying last time out.

Even if he does end up a Q1 exit this weekend, it could well put him in position to gain some positions through overtakes in Suzuka.

Oliver Bearman ($6.7m)

Oliver Bearman delivered a scintillating drive in the Chinese Grand Prix, recording nine overtakes, nine positions gained and turning in 20 fantasy points for the weekend.

The British rookie is now the third best value for money driver – 1.79 points per million on the season.

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He is also one of only two rookies (Kimi Antonelli, his F2 teammate in 2024, being the other) to have successfully navigated avoiding DNFs in all conditions, demonstrating consistency and reliability from your budget-friendly drivers.

With mixed conditions on the horizon this weekend, expect Bearman to successfully cut his way through the field once again.

Other drivers to monitor: Oscar Piastri and Yuki Tsunoda

McLaren ($30.6m)

McLaren have had a barnstorming start to their 2025 campaign and look to continue this success in Japan.

Two pole positions. Two Grand Prix victories. And two weekends in a row as the highest scoring team.

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On the back of the Ferrari double disqualification, McLaren secured the fastest lap points to push them above 100 points in China too – an all-time F1 Fantasy record for the team.

Fascinatingly, Red Bull were the only constructor to previously break the 100-point barrier – doing it in consecutive weekends in China and Japan last year. Can McLaren go back-to-back at the same circuits in 2025?

Haas ($8.2m)

On the back of an underwhelming pre-season and a car touted by some as the slowest on the grid in Australia, Haas staged a stunning recovery in Shanghai to record a double points finish and a mammoth 47 points in F1 Fantasy.

With the new three-race rolling average dictating price changes this season, both Haas drivers simply need to cross the finish line to receive the maximum $0.6m price increase.

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With the rest of the midfield struggling somewhat to make a meaningful impact after two races, Haas become a compelling option to pair with McLaren.

Now only three points adrift of fourth place in the Teams' table, the American outfit will want to continue this momentum in Japan.

Other constructors to monitor: Mercedes and Racing Bulls

As always, be sure to keep a close eye on practice to help guide your decisions for drivers and teams in the lead up to the team lock deadline!