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

Formula 1 heads to the neon-lit streets of Las Vegas for one of the most unique and unpredictable races of the season. The circuit features immense straights, heavy braking zones, and low-grip conditions that often shift dramatically as track temperatures plunge at night. So, who’s ready to roll the dice under the lights?

With average speeds rivalling Monza and tyre warm-up a recurring challenge, the Las Vegas Grand Prix places huge emphasis on car balance, straight-line efficiency, and drivers who thrive in low-grip conditions. Our F1 Fantasy Strategist returns to break down which assets may need to go 'all in' with the Championship stakes higher than ever.

It’s never too late to join the free-to-play game and compete for the great prizes on offer every race week! New players will need to select five drivers and two constructors within the starting cost cap of $100 million.

Don’t forget, the ‘Russell’s Rivals’ mini-league continues through to the Las Vegas Grand Prix. The three-race contest from Mexico City to Las Vegas crowns one winner, with an exclusive pair of George Russell’s race-worn boots, plus official Mercedes-AMG Petronas merchandise on offer for the top performers.

Ahead of every Grand Prix weekend, our F1 Fantasy Strategist evaluates seven in-game assets – five drivers and two teams – that can help you succeed in F1 Fantasy, whether that’s eking out every point or maximising your budget.

Las Vegas demands precision on its long straights and composure through its technical sections, with colder night-time temperatures adding another layer of complexity. Tyre warm-up struggles, strategy pivots, and late-race Safety Car potential mean players should be ready for a wide range of outcomes.

Catch up on the Sao Paulo highlights below and keep reading for more tips. Remember to lock in your teams before Qualifying begins on Friday, November 21 at 2000 local time (0400 UTC on Saturday, November 22).

Max Verstappen ($29.5m)

Hard as it is to believe, Max Verstappen’s 63-point charge from the pit lane to P3 in Brazil – the highest fantasy tally for a driver in 2025 – still had room for even more.

After collecting his fifth Driver of the Day award, more than double any other driver this year, the Red Bull racer has now vaulted himself into second in the F1 Fantasy driver standings.

Las Vegas now beckons, a circuit with Monza-like speed, Baku-style straights and the rhythm of COTA – all places where he’s already stood on the top step this year.

With seven consecutive podiums behind him, Verstappen arrives in Nevada in irresistible form.

Kimi Antonelli ($16.9m)

Kimi Antonelli produced the finest weekend of his young career in Brazil, taking P2 in the Grand Prix and repeating the result in all other competitive sessions.

His 40-point fantasy total continues a strong trend of late – the rookie has hit at least 17 points in every round from Baku onward.

Antonelli has also built a reputation for thriving in races outside of Europe, notching double-digit fantasy scores in 12 races so far this year, with three more to go to close out 2025.

After a dominant Mercedes 1-2 in Sin City last season, he’ll be riding his hot hand in the team’s push to deliver something similar again.

Oliver Bearman ($8.9m)

Oliver Bearman has been upping the ante in F1 Fantasy lately, posting his second consecutive score of 30 or more game points while achieving a historic result for the Haas team – securing championship points in four consecutive races.

Crucially, he has maximised the team’s upgrade package since COTA, amassing 80 fantasy points across his last three outings, and has been the best value-for-money driver in that time.

Las Vegas, the overtaking hotspot of the last two seasons averaging 145 per race, should suit Bearman well given his grid-leading 99 passes so far this season.

Requiring a lowly -34 points for a $0.6m rise, the Briton remains one of the safest odds for both scoring potential and budget growth as F1 heads to The Strip.

Esteban Ocon ($6.7m)

For those seeking a cheaper alternative to Bearman, team mate Esteban Ocon at $2.2m less also gets the nod in Nevada.

He recorded his seventh double-digit fantasy return of the year in Brazil and gained eight positions from the back of the grid.

Ocon is selected by only 1.8% of teams inside the Global Top 500, making him an appealing differential – although his past results in Las Vegas show mixed form with 40 points in 2023 and -5 in 2024.

With three rounds to go, Ocon remains a viable option for those willing to go all in on a bold pick while chasing late-season rank gains.

Pierre Gasly ($5.3m)

Pierre Gasly’s 21-point score in Brazil was his best of 2025 and finally put Championship points back on the board for Alpine for the first time since Belgium.

He continues to return solid, workman-like fantasy totals, matching expectations for a $5.3m asset without the dramatic swings seen elsewhere on the grid.

As midfield drivers have become unstuck with retirements in recent weeks, Gasly’s reliability stands out; he is one of just two drivers under $10m to have been classified at every Grand Prix since Monaco.

For a demanding street circuit in the cooler temperatures that Las Vegas presents, where experience and composure matter, Gasly offers players a stable and trustworthy option.

Other drivers to monitor: Lewis Hamilton, George Russell

Red Bull ($30.5m)

Red Bull have demonstrated their fantasy explosiveness in recent weeks, with three scores of 85 or more in the last five race weekends.

Laurent Mekies’ team has thrived at the high-powered circuits – namely in Italy, Azerbaijan and the United States, where Verstappen has landed on the top step of the podium in each.

In addition, Red Bull have found form in the pit box. Since the summer break, they lead all teams in average pit stop points per race (10.1) and recorded the third-fastest pitstop of 2025 in Brazil with a 1.95 second tyre change for Yuki Tsunoda ($11.4m), banking an additional 25 points in this scoring category.

Doubling down on Verstappen and the Milton Keynes-based squad in Las Vegas could win big for owners this weekend with another potential podium opportunity on the cards.

Mercedes ($27.8m)

Mercedes are another team that have enjoyed a fruitful few weeks in F1 Fantasy, most recently recording a season-high 91 points in Brazil.

The Brackley outfit has increased in value in 12 consecutive races and is expected to do the same again in Las Vegas, requiring -49 points or more for a maximum price rise.

Mercedes are the cheapest team among the four front-running teams, yet represent the best value among them since the summer break (2.19 points per $1 million spent).

Smart money suggests the Silver Arrows could be a goldmine for fantasy production once more in cooler climates, conditions that tend to favour their car and contributed to a 1-2 finish for the team this time last year.

Other constructors to monitor: McLaren, Haas

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