Chinese GP: The differential picks that could win your mini-league

Shanghai brings a Sprint weekend and a unique two-race planning challenge. Here's how to structure your squad for maximum points.

Shanghai brings one of the most complex planning challenges of the season. A Sprint format means an extra scoring session — but it also means your Limitless chip is at its most powerful here.

The key this weekend is identifying differentials: drivers that most managers won't own, but who could deliver outsized returns. With the Sprint on Saturday morning, pace from Friday practice is your only real data point.

Why Bearman is the differential pick

Ollie Bearman delivered 20 points in Australia and has quietly become one of the best value options on the grid. At his current price, he's owned by fewer than 15% of managers globally — which means picking him correctly is a mini-league winner.

The Bortoleto case

Gabriel Bortoleto has now recorded four double-digit returns in his last seven race weekends. Audi's pace is real and improving. At his price point, the Brazilian offers exceptional expected-points-per-dollar value.

Constructor call: why Mercedes over McLaren this week

McLaren are the obvious pick but their ownership is sky-high. Mercedes are priced attractively and have shown strong one-lap pace in 2026. Getting ahead of the price rise here could be worth 5-10 budget units by mid-season.