{"id":394881,"date":"2025-09-03T15:41:11","date_gmt":"2025-09-03T15:41:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/394881\/"},"modified":"2025-09-03T15:41:11","modified_gmt":"2025-09-03T15:41:11","slug":"strategist-selection-whats-the-best-line-up-for-the-italian-grand-prix","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/394881\/","title":{"rendered":"Strategist Selection \u2013 What\u2019s the best line-up for the Italian Grand Prix?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"typography-module_body-s-regular__ul7F5 typography-module_md_body-m-regular__d9VRg typography-module_lg_body-l-regular__dPa5z\">After a dramatic weekend at Zandvoort, Formula 1 heads to Monza \u2013 the legendary Temple of Speed. With its endless straights, heavy braking zones, and the passionate Tifosi lining every inch of the track, it promises a very different challenge from the Dutch dunes. So, who\u2019s primed to deliver in F1 Fantasy at the fastest circuit on the F1 calendar?<\/p>\n<p class=\"typography-module_body-s-regular__ul7F5 typography-module_md_body-m-regular__d9VRg typography-module_lg_body-l-regular__dPa5z\">The <a class=\"text-brand-hot-red underline decoration-1 hover:decoration-[3px]\" href=\"https:\/\/www.formula1.com\/en\/racing\/2025\/italy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Italian Grand Prix<\/a> is all about top speed, engine power and slipstream strategy. Our F1 Fantasy Strategist is back to break down the smart choices \u2013 those who can master Qualifying, hold position, and maximise their strengths on Monza\u2019s unique track layout.<\/p>\n<p class=\"typography-module_body-s-regular__ul7F5 typography-module_md_body-m-regular__d9VRg typography-module_lg_body-l-regular__dPa5z\">It\u2019s never too late to join the <a class=\"text-brand-hot-red underline decoration-1 hover:decoration-[3px]\" href=\"https:\/\/fantasy.formula1.com\/en\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">free-to-play game<\/a> and compete for the <a class=\"text-brand-hot-red underline decoration-1 hover:decoration-[3px]\" href=\"https:\/\/fantasy.formula1.com\/en\/prizes\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">great prizes on offer<\/a> every race week! New players will need to select five drivers and two constructors within the starting cost cap of $100 million.<\/p>\n<p class=\"typography-module_body-s-regular__ul7F5 typography-module_md_body-m-regular__d9VRg typography-module_lg_body-l-regular__dPa5z\">Keep your eyes peeled for exciting <a class=\"text-brand-hot-red underline decoration-1 hover:decoration-[3px]\" href=\"https:\/\/fantasy.formula1.com\/en\/leagues?type=mini\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">mini leagues<\/a> opening later in the F1 Fantasy season too, providing you with even more opportunities to play and win.<\/p>\n<p class=\"typography-module_body-s-regular__ul7F5 typography-module_md_body-m-regular__d9VRg typography-module_lg_body-l-regular__dPa5z\">Ahead of every Grand Prix weekend, our F1 Fantasy Strategist evaluates seven in-game assets \u2013 five drivers and two teams \u2013 that can help you succeed in F1 Fantasy, whether that\u2019s eking out every point or maximising your budget.<\/p>\n<p class=\"typography-module_body-s-regular__ul7F5 typography-module_md_body-m-regular__d9VRg typography-module_lg_body-l-regular__dPa5z\">With Monza providing some excellent overtaking opportunities, Sunday\u2019s race often hinges on straight-line efficiency \u2013 drivers can reach top speeds exceeding 350kph. Targeting those drivers in cars that perform better with lower downforce set-ups will be crucial, while tyre wear tends to be less of a concern here compared to other circuits.<\/p>\n<p class=\"typography-module_body-s-regular__ul7F5 typography-module_md_body-m-regular__d9VRg typography-module_lg_body-l-regular__dPa5z\">Catch up on the <a class=\"text-brand-hot-red underline decoration-1 hover:decoration-[3px]\" href=\"https:\/\/www.formula1.com\/en\/racing\/2025\/netherlands\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Dutch Grand Prix<\/a> highlights below and keep reading for more tips. Remember to lock in your teams before Qualifying starts on Saturday, September 6 at 1600 local time (1400 UTC).<\/p>\n<p>Oscar Piastri ($26.7m)<\/p>\n<p class=\"typography-module_body-s-regular__ul7F5 typography-module_md_body-m-regular__d9VRg typography-module_lg_body-l-regular__dPa5z\"><a class=\"text-brand-hot-red underline decoration-1 hover:decoration-[3px]\" href=\"https:\/\/www.formula1.com\/en\/drivers\/oscar-piastri\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Oscar Piastri<\/a> continues to impress as the best driver in F1 Fantasy this season.<\/p>\n<p class=\"typography-module_body-s-regular__ul7F5 typography-module_md_body-m-regular__d9VRg typography-module_lg_body-l-regular__dPa5z\">The 24-year-old notched his seventh race victory in 2025 at Zandvoort, where his championship rival and team mate <a class=\"text-brand-hot-red underline decoration-1 hover:decoration-[3px]\" href=\"https:\/\/www.formula1.com\/en\/drivers\/lando-norris\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Lando Norris<\/a> ($31.3m) failed to finish the race.<\/p>\n<p class=\"typography-module_body-s-regular__ul7F5 typography-module_md_body-m-regular__d9VRg typography-module_lg_body-l-regular__dPa5z\">In 2024, the McLaren driver was in the box seat for a race victory at Monza, leading for 31 of the first 38 laps of the Grand Prix. However, the Australian was unable to reel in eventual race winner <a class=\"text-brand-hot-red underline decoration-1 hover:decoration-[3px]\" href=\"https:\/\/www.formula1.com\/en\/drivers\/charles-leclerc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Charles Leclerc<\/a> after pitting for an extra set of tyres in the latter stages.<\/p>\n<p class=\"typography-module_body-s-regular__ul7F5 typography-module_md_body-m-regular__d9VRg typography-module_lg_body-l-regular__dPa5z\">Expect Piastri to compete for a maiden Italian Grand Prix victory this weekend after falling just short a year ago.<\/p>\n<p>George Russell ($22.5m)<\/p>\n<p class=\"typography-module_body-s-regular__ul7F5 typography-module_md_body-m-regular__d9VRg typography-module_lg_body-l-regular__dPa5z\"><a class=\"text-brand-hot-red underline decoration-1 hover:decoration-[3px]\" href=\"https:\/\/www.formula1.com\/en\/drivers\/george-russell\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">George Russell<\/a> presents a fascinating option for higher-budget teams in Monza.<\/p>\n<p class=\"typography-module_body-s-regular__ul7F5 typography-module_md_body-m-regular__d9VRg typography-module_lg_body-l-regular__dPa5z\">The British driver has scored 15 or more F1 Fantasy points in 22 out of the last 24 race weekends, representing a high points floor for prospective owners.<\/p>\n<p class=\"typography-module_body-s-regular__ul7F5 typography-module_md_body-m-regular__d9VRg typography-module_lg_body-l-regular__dPa5z\">Although Russell has only finished on the podium once in his last three visits to Monza as a Mercedes driver, he has the highest race finishing position (4.7) of any non-McLaren driver this season.<\/p>\n<p class=\"typography-module_body-s-regular__ul7F5 typography-module_md_body-m-regular__d9VRg typography-module_lg_body-l-regular__dPa5z\">At only 11% owned, the Mercedes racer is a great differential to own this week.<\/p>\n<p>Alex Albon ($7.5m)<\/p>\n<p class=\"typography-module_body-s-regular__ul7F5 typography-module_md_body-m-regular__d9VRg typography-module_lg_body-l-regular__dPa5z\"><a class=\"text-brand-hot-red underline decoration-1 hover:decoration-[3px]\" href=\"https:\/\/www.formula1.com\/en\/drivers\/alexander-albon\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Alex Albon<\/a> delivered his best F1 Fantasy result of the season in Zandvoort with a 27-point performance.<\/p>\n<p class=\"typography-module_body-s-regular__ul7F5 typography-module_md_body-m-regular__d9VRg typography-module_lg_body-l-regular__dPa5z\">The Williams racer gained 10 positions and recorded seven overtakes to propel him from P15 to P5 last weekend \u2013 his best and third-best marks of the season in these scoring categories, respectively.<\/p>\n<p class=\"typography-module_body-s-regular__ul7F5 typography-module_md_body-m-regular__d9VRg typography-module_lg_body-l-regular__dPa5z\">Albon has made Q3 in all four times he has raced at Monza, finishing in the points in three of these Grands Prix.<\/p>\n<p class=\"typography-module_body-s-regular__ul7F5 typography-module_md_body-m-regular__d9VRg typography-module_lg_body-l-regular__dPa5z\">The way the Thai driver is currently performing, with 10 double-digit hauls in 15 races this year, expect another stirring drive this weekend.<\/p>\n<p>Isack Hadjar ($5.7m)<\/p>\n<p class=\"typography-module_body-s-regular__ul7F5 typography-module_md_body-m-regular__d9VRg typography-module_lg_body-l-regular__dPa5z\"><a class=\"text-brand-hot-red underline decoration-1 hover:decoration-[3px]\" href=\"https:\/\/www.formula1.com\/en\/drivers\/isack-hadjar\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Isack Hadjar<\/a> has had a breakout first Formula 1 season.<\/p>\n<p class=\"typography-module_body-s-regular__ul7F5 typography-module_md_body-m-regular__d9VRg typography-module_lg_body-l-regular__dPa5z\">The rookie turned in his highest F1 Fantasy score to date in Zandvoort \u2013 an explosive 33-point haul on the back of a P4 result in Qualifying followed by his maiden podium, and a Driver of the Day win for good measure.<\/p>\n<p class=\"typography-module_body-s-regular__ul7F5 typography-module_md_body-m-regular__d9VRg typography-module_lg_body-l-regular__dPa5z\">Although the French driver is the highest-owned asset in the game (54%), he needs to score at least -16 fantasy points for a maximum $0.6m price rise in Monza, making him a compelling transfer for teams looking to increase their cost cap.<\/p>\n<p class=\"typography-module_body-s-regular__ul7F5 typography-module_md_body-m-regular__d9VRg typography-module_lg_body-l-regular__dPa5z\">At an affordable $5.7m, Hadjar is one of the most valuable assets in the game to enable a flexible team structure.<\/p>\n<p>Franco Colapinto ($4.5m)<\/p>\n<p class=\"typography-module_body-s-regular__ul7F5 typography-module_md_body-m-regular__d9VRg typography-module_lg_body-l-regular__dPa5z\"><a class=\"text-brand-hot-red underline decoration-1 hover:decoration-[3px]\" href=\"https:\/\/www.formula1.com\/en\/drivers\/franco-colapinto\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Franco Colapinto<\/a> is perhaps not the first name on everyone\u2019s F1 Fantasy watchlist, but there are reasons to be optimistic about him this weekend.<\/p>\n<p class=\"typography-module_body-s-regular__ul7F5 typography-module_md_body-m-regular__d9VRg typography-module_lg_body-l-regular__dPa5z\">The Argentinian made his Formula 1 debut in Monza in 2024 with Williams, recording 11 fantasy points \u2013 a career-high for him and coincidentally the same number of fantasy points he scored in Zandvoort last weekend.<\/p>\n<p class=\"typography-module_body-s-regular__ul7F5 typography-module_md_body-m-regular__d9VRg typography-module_lg_body-l-regular__dPa5z\">On track, the Alpine driver has struggled for momentum this season but, as the cheapest driver in the game, he offers potential as a budget-enabling asset to afford some of the more expensive McLaren assets.<\/p>\n<p class=\"typography-module_body-s-regular__ul7F5 typography-module_md_body-m-regular__d9VRg typography-module_lg_body-l-regular__dPa5z\">Monza is a traditionally low-DNF track, which bodes well for someone like Colapinto looking to build some form.<\/p>\n<p class=\"typography-module_body-s-regular__ul7F5 typography-module_md_body-m-regular__d9VRg typography-module_lg_body-l-regular__dPa5z\">Other drivers to monitor: Esteban Ocon, Fernando Alonso<\/p>\n<p>McLaren ($34.5m)<\/p>\n<p class=\"typography-module_body-s-regular__ul7F5 typography-module_md_body-m-regular__d9VRg typography-module_lg_body-l-regular__dPa5z\">When <a class=\"text-brand-hot-red underline decoration-1 hover:decoration-[3px]\" href=\"https:\/\/www.formula1.com\/en\/teams\/mclaren\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">McLaren<\/a> records 52 fantasy points, which is considered a below-average result by their standards, it is a clear indication the team is in a league of their own in 2025.<\/p>\n<p class=\"typography-module_body-s-regular__ul7F5 typography-module_md_body-m-regular__d9VRg typography-module_lg_body-l-regular__dPa5z\">Andrea Stella\u2019s squad recorded their fifth consecutive Grand Prix victory this season and their second in a row in Zandvoort.<\/p>\n<p class=\"typography-module_body-s-regular__ul7F5 typography-module_md_body-m-regular__d9VRg typography-module_lg_body-l-regular__dPa5z\">The team have already secured race victories at other high-powered tracks on the calendar this season \u2013 Saudi Arabia and Belgium \u2013 and are well positioned to do the same at the Temple of Speed.<\/p>\n<p class=\"typography-module_body-s-regular__ul7F5 typography-module_md_body-m-regular__d9VRg typography-module_lg_body-l-regular__dPa5z\">Owned by every fantasy team in the top 500 on the F1 Fantasy global leaderboard, it\u2019s apparent this asset is the cornerstone of fantasy success in 2025.<\/p>\n<p>Williams ($16.1m)<\/p>\n<p class=\"typography-module_body-s-regular__ul7F5 typography-module_md_body-m-regular__d9VRg typography-module_lg_body-l-regular__dPa5z\"><a class=\"text-brand-hot-red underline decoration-1 hover:decoration-[3px]\" href=\"https:\/\/www.formula1.com\/en\/teams\/williams\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Williams<\/a> recorded 35 F1 Fantasy points at the Dutch Grand Prix, but it could have been much more.<\/p>\n<p class=\"typography-module_body-s-regular__ul7F5 typography-module_md_body-m-regular__d9VRg typography-module_lg_body-l-regular__dPa5z\">After <a class=\"text-brand-hot-red underline decoration-1 hover:decoration-[3px]\" href=\"https:\/\/www.formula1.com\/en\/drivers\/carlos-sainz\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Carlos Sainz<\/a> ($5.7m), who qualified P9 on Saturday, clashed with <a class=\"text-brand-hot-red underline decoration-1 hover:decoration-[3px]\" href=\"https:\/\/www.formula1.com\/en\/drivers\/liam-lawson\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Liam Lawson<\/a> in the Grand Prix, any chance Williams had of breaking their season high of 42 fantasy points (Emilia Romagna) was realistically over.<\/p>\n<p class=\"typography-module_body-s-regular__ul7F5 typography-module_md_body-m-regular__d9VRg typography-module_lg_body-l-regular__dPa5z\">However, the James Vowles-led team have delivered 20+ point performances in F1 Fantasy in each of the last two seasons at Monza.<\/p>\n<p class=\"typography-module_body-s-regular__ul7F5 typography-module_md_body-m-regular__d9VRg typography-module_lg_body-l-regular__dPa5z\">With the Grove squad building into form at a circuit they historically perform well at, they are one to monitor during free practice.<\/p>\n<p class=\"typography-module_body-s-regular__ul7F5 typography-module_md_body-m-regular__d9VRg typography-module_lg_body-l-regular__dPa5z\">Other constructors to monitor: Mercedes, Aston Martin<\/p>\n<p class=\"typography-module_body-s-regular__ul7F5 typography-module_md_body-m-regular__d9VRg typography-module_lg_body-l-regular__dPa5z\">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.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"After a dramatic weekend at Zandvoort, Formula 1 heads to Monza \u2013 the legendary Temple of Speed. With&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":394882,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4103],"tags":[4199,707,4200,79,16,15],"class_list":{"0":"post-394881","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-f1","8":"tag-f1","9":"tag-formula-1","10":"tag-formula1","11":"tag-sports","12":"tag-uk","13":"tag-united-kingdom"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/115141128012230044","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/394881","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=394881"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/394881\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/394882"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=394881"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=394881"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=394881"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}