Team Breakdowns
Red Bull
Max Verstappen’s ($15,600) return to P1 for Sunday’s race was expected, but not to the tune of almost 1.5 seconds. Expect to hear the National Anthem of the Netherlands as it’s Max’s race to lose. Sergio Perez ($10,200) starts in P5 but looked well off in practice, take advantage of that through Red Bull Racing ($14,600) as they are the top option for the constructor position.
McLaren
The McLarens line up right behind Max with Oscar Piastri ($7600) starting in P2 and Lando Norris ($9400) attacking from P3. The McLarens ($7900) perform very well on the hard compound tyre which is the preferred racing tyre at the Suzuka race track. If you had to pick one Lando is the expected favorite to maximize points in your draftkings lines, but as always this is racing and volatility is inherent. Have exposure in GPPS
Mercedes
After George Russell ($8800) threw it all away on the final lap and torpedoed 80% of the field last week it might be tough to go back to him this weekend. I ain’t doin it. George can get desperate for wins sometimes and he does things that make you regret rostering him. I like the Mercedes($9500) race chances this weekend however and will want to get some in my constructor position. I’m a Lewis Stan so I will always play him in GPPS. Mix and Match the aforementioned drivers in your GPPS.
Aston Martin
Fernando Alonso ($6800) had pace in all three practice sessions over the weekend. His Aston should finish in the top 10 and a heavy chance of beating Lance Stroll ($6000).
Ferrari
Carlos Sainz ($8400) vs Chares Leclerc ($8200) has been fun this year at times, but some of the heaviest blows come by Sainz and last week’s performance at SIngapore was one for the books. He’s in good form and a good option, and I hope he’s popular as Ill try to go somewhere else with my salary as it feels like splitting hairs between the Ferrai ($8800) drivers this Japanese Grand Prix. Charles Leclerc is the preferred driver of the two making him a solid cash game play. We should expect top 10 finishes from the Ferrari but with limited DFS upside.
Alfa Romeo
If the Alfa is inconsistent it should be assumed their drivers will be too. It did not work out well last race, but I like Bottas ($4400) over Zhou ($3200) the past 4 races, and that will continue here. Have a lil Zhou though, probably in the Captain spot if the race falls his way.
Alpine
The Alpine qualified true to form in the front of the midfield. Definitely dont play both in the smae line up, and limited upside overall. They will be low owned though so Pierre Gasly ($5600) or Esteban Ocon ($5200) might be worthy of a large field GPP lineup. Dont go crazy
Williams
Albon ($4800) lurks right outside the top 10, and has proven that it doesnt take much for him to hit the top 10. Ill fit him in where I can as he has been priced correctly thgouhout the season. Albon casts a large shadow over the Williams garage and in the coldest part of the shade you will find Logan Sargent ($3000). Logan Sargent will be the featured player as hes the stone cold minimum and you can do whatever you want with him in your lineups.
Alpha Tauri
Yuki Tsunoda ($4200) gave his Japanese countrymen a good reason to cheer as he put himself into Q3. A sprinkle cant hurt, but I would not be heavy on the play at all. That being said Liam Lawson ($4000) continues to impress and makes Max/Red Bull Racing lineups a little easier to put together. Liam will be popular.
Haas
If you find yourself in this price range in GPPs the best thing to do is to have a sprinkle of both Kevin magnussen ($3600) and Niko Hulkenberg ($3600), very limited, not in the same line up, as all youre trying to do is catch the 5 beat teammate and 1 finish point.
Advice:
When building lineups Logan Sargent captain allows for viable Max/Red Bull Racing lineups. If going this way in GPPS, make sure to rotate through the close priced teammates and embrace the violitailty.
I like taking my more long shot style plays in the captain spot, so I will play around with that. Those would include either of the Haas drivers, Zhou, and Lawson. Yuki is the highest I will go when building like that. Those should not feature Max Verstappen either, so true GPP lineups.
As always if you have any questions get at me in discord @tcuz86
