Formula 1 is back racing stateside in Texas for the United States Gran Prix! Circuit of the America’s plays host to this week’s F1 race and sets the table for another edition of Formula 1 Race Week: US Grand Prix! !EAGLE SCREAM!!….(that’s not an eagle that’s Logan Sargent screaming in his helmet…)

A few miles outside of Texas lies COTA familiar to racing fans of all formats. The track is beloved by lots of drivers and the Formula 1 wheelmen are no different. A touch of drama sees 2023 World Champion Max Verstappen start off pole which could lead to some differentiation naturally in the Daily Fantasy Streets. Join me as we discuss other options in this week’s edition of Race Week.

Team Breakdowns

Red Bull

The aforementioned Max Verstappen ($16000) starts in P6 after his pole-sitting lap was deleted for extending track limits. An obvious Max V flex play adds a little bit of juice to warranting him the Captain spot on your DFS rosters. Max still pilots the classiest of racecars and him passing 5 cars nets us an extra very valuable 3 points. Get risky in other places this week.

Sergio Perez ($9,000) starts in P9 and was complaining about understeer. With a mediocre finish in the Sprint Shootout, Sergio is best played in non-Max lineups purely to cover the 10% possibility Max doesn’t finish the race.  

We need Red Bull Racing ($14,500) to have a double podium finish to really pay off the price tag, an easy fade this week.

McLaren

McLaren is as racey as ever this weekend as Lando Norris ($9800) starts in P2. A competitor for the win, and prime for” beat teammate” points, Lando is a 4-star option this weekend. 

After a few top step races, Oscar Piastri ($9600) finds himself at an unfamiliar track to him. The learning curve has been steep as he starts P10 and is not really an option this weekend.

Mercedes

The sprint race revealed the Mercedes’ lack of straight-line speed which does not bode well for them in the race. I would expect Lewis Hamilton ($8800) and Geroge Russell ($8600) to struggle to hold onto their positions, but finish in the top 10 regardless.

Aston Martin

Aston looks like they are ready to go to Mexico for that upcoming Gran Prix as they have shown no fight this weekend. Play at your own risk.

Ferrari

Welcome back to the front of the grid, Ferrari! Charles Leclerc ($8200) pilots his red Ferrari from pole in today’s grand prix. The Ferrari ($8100) takes to COTA well as it’s very fast in a straight line, it’s stable under braking, and if the sprint race was any indication the Ferrari should be able to hold it’s own against the Mercedes, McLaren, maybe even the Red Bull. In a DFS sport where winning and not cashing is less than 5 points sometimes, it pays to be different. Sainz ($7600) should only be played in GPPs for differentiation.

Alfa Romeo

There is nothing between Bottas ($4400) and Zhou ($3200), the last guy in and differentiation plays.

Alpine

The Alpine performs like the Ferrari at COTA. A better racecar than qualifying car, having exposure to both Esteban Ocon ($4800) and Pierre Gasly ($6000) is advisable. If you’re going to take a stand Pierre looked like the Alpine horse to back in Saturday’s sprint race. Alpine ($3700) would also make for a solid constructor value if punting the position is being attempted.

Williams

Albon performed well compared to teammate Logan Sargent ($3000) over the course of the weekend. Starting from P18 Alex Albon ($5200) has the potential for substantial upside. A great play in all formats. Logan feels like a very thin play. 

Alpha Tauri

Danny Ricciardo ($4000) returns to the grid after his injury absence and starts back up from where he left off, in a position to beat teammate Yuki Tsunoda ($3800). I like Daniel’s chances of getting those valuable 5 points.

Haas

See Alfa Romeo driver notes.

Advice:

My favorite plays: just like NFL this week, have exposure to different plays. Of all the times to jam Max into the captain spot, its this race.

As always if you have any questions get at me in discord @tcuz86