F1 FANTASY: Strategist Preview – What you need to know for the Belgian and Hungarian Grands Prix

Formula 1 has another double header before the summer break, this time pairing the Belgian and Hungarian Grands Prix. These are arguably the most contrasting back-to-back rounds on the entire calendar, and F1 Fantasy players who plan for both weekends together, rather than one at a time, will hold a significant advantage.

Spa-Francorchamps is the longest lap of the year and one of the strongest overtaking venues in Formula 1. The Hungaroring is the opposite, known as ‘Monaco without walls’ – tight, twisty and unforgiving, with Qualifying carrying more weight than usual.

Managers should target assets that are either genuine all-rounders or capable of scoring well regardless of grid position, positioning the best F1 Fantasy line-ups for continued success.

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

If you need a reminder of all the action from last time out at Silverstone to help you choose, watch the highlights below. Remember to lock in your teams before Qualifying begins at Spa at 1600 local time (1400 UTC) and again in Hungary at 1600 local time (1400 UTC).

Global League update

P1 on the global leaderboard has continued to trust Kimi Antonelli as their premium 2x Boost driver. Despite falling down the order in the closing stages at Silverstone, the Italian was supported by solid scores from a carefully selected midfield core, all of whom scored 13 or more fantasy points. That strategic depth in driver selection has proven successful so far.

P2 and P3 took a different route, nominating Lewis Hamilton for their 2x Boost on the back of his recent form, and his podium finish last time out rewarded that call handsomely. Both teams followed a similar constructor strategy to P1, retaining Mercedes and Ferrari as their core backbone.

The standout lesson from the top three teams: reliable midfield drivers paired with Mercedes and Ferrari constructors are the building blocks of a competitive line-up heading into Belgium and Hungary.

F1 Fantasy Strategist watchlist

Our F1 Fantasy Strategist evaluates seven in-game assets below and reviews potential chip strategies to help you challenge for the top step in F1 Fantasy’s global leaderboard.

Kimi Antonelli ($25.3m)

Kimi Antonelli posted his seventh podium of 2026 in Austria, before a mechanical issue at Silverstone cost him a potential win. Despite that blip, he has recorded the fastest lap in six of nine races so far in 2026 – a level of single-lap consistency that confirms his status as a premium-priced driver to own.

Spa’s high-speed layout and overtaking opportunities mirror the traits of Miami and Canada, where the Italian won, while Hungary’s technical character also bodes well following his victory in Monaco. With a proven ability to score well from any grid position, he is one of the safest 2x Boost candidates across both weekends.

Isack Hadjar ($13.3m)

Isack Hadjar has become a mainstay in fantasy line-ups this season, delivering 15 or more fantasy points in each of his last four race weekends. The Red Bull driver has also featured in Q3 in all but one Qualifying session in 2026, contributing to the Frenchman rising $1.8m in value in the last three rounds.

Spa's abundant overtaking suits his aggressive race craft, while Hungary's technical nature rewards his strong Qualifying record. That dual skillset makes him a compelling hold across both rounds.

Franco Colapinto ($10.4m)

Franco Colapinto has secured top-10 finishes in two of his last three Grands Prix, including a career-high 27 fantasy points at Silverstone, where he gained 10 positions and notched nine overtakes. The Alpine driver has delivered championship points in five of the nine races this season.

He requires just a solitary fantasy point for a maximum $0.6m price rise in Belgium, making him an appealing midfield asset with genuine scoring and budget upside if his recent pace continues.

Arvid Lindblad ($6.8m)

Arvid Lindblad has averaged double-digit fantasy points in three of his last four races, including a strong outing at Silverstone where he matched his season-high of 18 points. Racing Bulls have secured championship points across each of the last four weekends, and they are one point away from fifth in the Teams’ Championship.

The overtaking opportunities in Belgium suit the pace of the Racing Bulls car, and the rookie’s attainable price makes him an excellent budget enabler heading into both rounds.

Gabriel Bortoleto ($6.6m)

Gabriel Bortoleto recorded a season-high 16 fantasy points at Silverstone, backed by Audi's best result of 2026 with a P8 finish. He averages 4.6 overtakes per race, a strength that should suit Spa well.

Needing just three fantasy points for a maximum $0.6m price rise this weekend, he is an excellent budget-friendly enabler across both rounds.

Other drivers to monitor: Lando Norris, Charles Leclerc

Mercedes ($32.0m)

Mercedes posted a season-best 92 fantasy points at Silverstone, their strongest result since Miami, and also secured 15 fast pit stop points. The team leads all constructors, averaging eight pit stop points per race weekend.

With both drivers hunting for wins heading into the mid-season break, Mercedes remain the cornerstone of any competitive line-up and a genuine set-and-forget asset across both rounds.

Ferrari ($26.0m)

Ferrari also posted 92 fantasy points at Silverstone thanks to Charles Leclerc's ($23.3m) first victory of the season and Lewis Hamilton's ($24.8m) podium. The Scuderia have two wins in their last three race weekends with recent upgrades unlocking additional potential in the SF26.

Belgium and Hungary should suit different strengths of the car, with Spa rewarding high-speed efficiency and the Hungaroring placing greater emphasis on technical Qualifying performance. That makes Ferrari a compelling pairing for managers with a higher cost cap, particularly those also selecting a Ferrari driver.

Other constructors to monitor: McLaren, Racing Bulls

Featured leagues and upcoming mini-leagues

The Oracle Red Bull Racing mini-league continues this weekend and is still open to enter, running across the British, Belgian and Hungarian Grands Prix. This gives you a fresh chance to test your skills and win exclusive prizes. First place receives a signed Oracle Red Bull Racing merchandise bundle featuring a mini helmet signed by Max Verstappen, second place takes home a signed Red Bull Racing team cap, and third place receives a signed driver card.

For participants looking to gain an advantage in this mini-league, consider using the No Negative chip this weekend – with unpredictable weather on the horizon at Spa, changeable conditions can quickly punish drivers and teams with retirements and positions lost, making this chip invaluable insurance.

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

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.