F1 Fantasy: Qatar GP top tips, picks and predictions

Qatar’s Losail circuit is a brand new venue for Formula 1 and there is just a single driver on the grid with prior experience there.

Sergio Perez’s victory back in GP2 Asia means he has the most knowledge of the place of the drivers on the 2021 grid but how much that will really count for is likely slim.

The track is predicted to be very quick in the current F1 machinery and there’s plenty of demand on the engine performance. Does that mean Mercedes is well placed to take advantage with Lewis Hamilton’s new power unit?

He lit up the timing screens in Sao Paulo but wasn’t the fastest through the speed traps. That honour belonged to Honda-powered Pierre Gasly, so Red Bull may well be back in the hunt.

Temperatures will be high which might also swing things back the way of Red Bull though the increased heat in Sao Paulo on race day hardly blighted Mercedes.

Here is all the information you need to finalise your F1 Fantasy teams for the 2021 Qatar Grand Prix.

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Price changes

There are no changes to any driver or team prices from last weekend. Nice and simple.

Must-haves

Ferrari‘s boost in performance has left McLaren well in its wake with both Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz scoring valuable points in the fight for third. Either of its driver or the team itself would be a smart pick for this weekend.

Based on recent form, can you afford to leave Lewis Hamilton out of your line-up? Well the reigning champion is likely to be fighting for the win annd also has a qualifying streak to keep up. One more top 10 and he earns bonus points and with the new power boost from the fresh ICE, a win isn’t out of the question either.

Ones to avoid

Yuki Tsunoda just can’t catch a break or make some luck for himself. A messy attempt to overtake Lance Stroll in Brazil all but ended his chances of points which AlphaTauri desperately need.

There are question marks over the Mercedes power unit for Daniel Ricciardo. The Australian was forced to retire from the Brazilian Grand Prix with an issue that might force another change of components.

Streaks

You’re spoiled for choice this weekend in terms of capitalising on a streak. Lewis Hamilton, Valtteri Bottas, Charles Leclerc, Pierre Gasly and Max Verstappen are all set for bonus points scores in Qatar if they make Q3 once again. Leclerc though is the only one of them that can also double up and secure a bonus score in the race with a points finish.

Red Bull is the only team that has the chance of a streak score this weekend. A double points finish at Losail will secure the team the bonus 10.

Qatar Grand Prix picks

Drivers:

Lewis Hamilton (32.9m)

Charles Leclerc (17.6m)

Kimi Räikkönen (9.2m)

Pierre Gasly (11.9m)

Nicholas Latifi (6.4m)

Team:

Red Bull (26.6m)