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

After a dramatic weekend at Zandvoort, Formula 1 heads to Monza – 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’s primed to deliver in F1 Fantasy at the fastest circuit on the F1 calendar?

The Italian Grand Prix is all about top speed, engine power and slipstream strategy. Our F1 Fantasy Strategist is back to break down the smart choices – those who can master Qualifying, hold position, and maximise their strengths on Monza’s unique track layout.

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.

Keep your eyes peeled for exciting mini leagues opening later in the F1 Fantasy season too, providing you with even more opportunities to play and win.

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.

With Monza providing some excellent overtaking opportunities, Sunday’s race often hinges on straight-line efficiency – 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.

Catch up on the Dutch Grand Prix 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).

Oscar Piastri ($26.7m)

Oscar Piastri continues to impress as the best driver in F1 Fantasy this season.

The 24-year-old notched his seventh race victory in 2025 at Zandvoort, where his championship rival and team mate Lando Norris ($31.3m) failed to finish the race.

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 Charles Leclerc after pitting for an extra set of tyres in the latter stages.

Expect Piastri to compete for a maiden Italian Grand Prix victory this weekend after falling just short a year ago.

George Russell ($22.5m)

George Russell presents a fascinating option for higher-budget teams in Monza.

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.

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.

At only 11% owned, the Mercedes racer is a great differential to own this week.

Alex Albon ($7.5m)

Alex Albon delivered his best F1 Fantasy result of the season in Zandvoort with a 27-point performance.

The Williams racer gained 10 positions and recorded seven overtakes to propel him from P15 to P5 last weekend – his best and third-best marks of the season in these scoring categories, respectively.

Albon has made Q3 in all four times he has raced at Monza, finishing in the points in three of these Grands Prix.

The way the Thai driver is currently performing, with 10 double-digit hauls in 15 races this year, expect another stirring drive this weekend.

Isack Hadjar ($5.7m)

Isack Hadjar has had a breakout first Formula 1 season.

The rookie turned in his highest F1 Fantasy score to date in Zandvoort – 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.

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.

At an affordable $5.7m, Hadjar is one of the most valuable assets in the game to enable a flexible team structure.

Franco Colapinto ($4.5m)

Franco Colapinto is perhaps not the first name on everyone’s F1 Fantasy watchlist, but there are reasons to be optimistic about him this weekend.

The Argentinian made his Formula 1 debut in Monza in 2024 with Williams, recording 11 fantasy points – a career-high for him and coincidentally the same number of fantasy points he scored in Zandvoort last weekend.

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.

Monza is a traditionally low-DNF track, which bodes well for someone like Colapinto looking to build some form.

Other drivers to monitor: Esteban Ocon, Fernando Alonso

McLaren ($34.5m)

When McLaren 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.

Andrea Stella’s squad recorded their fifth consecutive Grand Prix victory this season and their second in a row in Zandvoort.

The team have already secured race victories at other high-powered tracks on the calendar this season – Saudi Arabia and Belgium – and are well positioned to do the same at the Temple of Speed.

Owned by every fantasy team in the top 500 on the F1 Fantasy global leaderboard, it’s apparent this asset is the cornerstone of fantasy success in 2025.

Williams ($16.1m)

Williams recorded 35 F1 Fantasy points at the Dutch Grand Prix, but it could have been much more.

After Carlos Sainz ($5.7m), who qualified P9 on Saturday, clashed with Liam Lawson in the Grand Prix, any chance Williams had of breaking their season high of 42 fantasy points (Emilia Romagna) was realistically over.

However, the James Vowles-led team have delivered 20+ point performances in F1 Fantasy in each of the last two seasons at Monza.

With the Grove squad building into form at a circuit they historically perform well at, they are one to monitor during free practice.

Other constructors to monitor: Mercedes, Aston Martin

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.