Race Week Preview: Chinese Grand Prix
Mercedes are flying after Australia. Here is your F1 Fantasy watchlist for the sprint weekend in Shanghai.
THE SETUP
One race in, Mercedes have answered the preseason question emphatically. George Russell won the Australian Grand Prix from pole position, Kimi Antonelli was second, Charles Leclerc recovered brilliantly for third, and Lewis Hamilton took a composed fourth. The Silver Arrows are the team to beat heading into Shanghai. China is a sprint weekend — with extra points on the table and overtakes aplenty, that changes the calculus entirely. Chip usage is going to be as important as ever.
THE CIRCUIT
Shanghai International Circuit is a long, flowing layout with a mix of high-speed corners in the opening sector and a technical second sector that features the famous double-right hairpin. The back straight is one of the longest on the calendar and produces genuine DRS overtaking opportunities. Tyre degradation is moderate, with two-stop strategies possible in warmer conditions. As a sprint weekend, you will have two separate scoring events — the Sprint on Saturday morning and the Grand Prix on Sunday. That means more points on the table and a higher premium on picking the right drivers.
THE WEATHER
Shanghai in late March tends to be cool and overcast, with temperatures in the mid-to-high teens. Rain is possible across the weekend — Chinese GP weekends have a history of variable conditions, and even a brief shower during the sprint qualifying session can scramble grid positions significantly.
THE WEEKLY WATCHLIST
🟢 BUY
Oliver Bearman
The standout budget pick of the season. Bearman delivered points on debut in Australia and is driving Haas with real maturity. Shanghai's long straight suits a competitive mid-field car, and he remains one of the most underowned drivers in the game. In a sprint weekend where every scoring session counts, getting him into your squad ahead of a potential price rise is the smart move.
George Russell
Australia's race winner is the form driver in the game. Pole, fastest lap, race win — Russell delivered a clean sweep in Melbourne and arrives in Shanghai as the overwhelming favourite to lead the championship after round two. He is the obvious 2x Boost candidate this week and the core asset in any competitive squad.
🟡 HOLD
Liam Lawson
Lawson returned only five fantasy points in Australia but Racing Bulls showed competitive race pace in the final stint. The team also demonstrated strong single-lap pace at Albert Park, which should carry over to Shanghai. A hold for now.
Esteban Ocon
Ocon has quietly been building points in the background and Haas showed enough in Australia to suggest both their drivers have a scoring floor this season. Sprint weekends can favour midfield drivers for overtakes in Saturday's racing fixture and Ocon is capable of making the most of those opportunities.
🔴 SELL
Nico Hulkenberg
Audi reliability was the demise of Hulkenberg at Albert Park, failing to start the first race of the year. With plenty of options in the same price range, the German is an early transfer casualty after taking an early -20 penalty. Selling ahead of a potential price drop makes sense here.
Oscar Piastri
McLaren showed genuine race pace in Australia but the result was not there for Piastri, who did not complete a single lap after crashing on the reconnaissance lap. With McLaren's pace still unproven in race conditions and cheaper options scoring higher up the grid, Piastri is one to avoid for now.
THE CHIPS
Limitless and 3x Boost are the standout chips this sprint weekend. A clearly defined top two in the pecking order makes building a Limitless lineup straightforward, with triple Mercedes and triple Ferrari the obvious cornerstones. Russell and Antonelli are firmly in the crosshairs for the 3x Boost given the sizable pace advantage Mercedes demonstrated in Australia. For differential options, Leclerc and Hamilton should also be considered but will rely on overtakes and Driver of the Day favouritism to maximise their fantasy upside.