Formula 1 is back in Japan, as is Fanta F1 for the third stage of the world championship. The last one to sign up for the Yaw club league, which will start this weekend. In Suzuka, fantasy managers will be called upon to make complex choices. In fact, the values on the field between drivers and teams are still difficult to define. Few certainties except that the Suzuka circuit, the only one in the shape of an 8 on the calendar, has always offered exciting races, both for drivers and fans. Let's see, therefore, who would be better to leave on the bench for this new stage of the 2025 world championship.
Poor Jack Doohan
Yes, him again. For the third time in a row we are forced to include Jack Doohan among the weekend's not recommended. The Alpine driver is not living his debut in Formula 1 well. Probably due to the great media chaos that his team has generated around the young Australian driver. Responsibilities also recognized by the team principal Oliver Oakes, who in the days following the disastrous Australian GP, had partly admitted how little had been done to preserve the serenity of a rookie like Doohan. Deploying him, consequently, could lead to a lot of penalties. We are talking about a probable cut in Q1, as happened in China, possible errors on an unforgiving track and, finally, the internal comparison with Pierre Gasly could also weigh. The French number 10, in fact, seems decidedly out of reach for Doohan. In short, the second Alpine driver should be avoided, in the hope that the future may reserve much rosier moments for him.
Lance Stroll false friend
Why is Stroll among those not recommended? Yet he scored points both on the wet asphalt of Albert Park and in China, albeit due to the disqualifications handed out to the two Ferraris and Gasly's Alpine. All this by clearly prevailing over his teammate Fernando Alonso. Furthermore, we are talking about a decent performance offered by a driver who, in Fanta F1, would cost only 11 Yaw. Everything is perfect if it were not for the fact that Lance Stroll could turn out to be a false friend for fantasy managers. In qualifying, on a circuit as technical as Suzuka, the Canadian could easily struggle. After all, the relationship between Stroll and the Japanese track has never been the best. In fact, since 2017, the Aston Martin driver has only scored points in 2019. Furthermore, as if that were not enough, in Japan Stroll has always been beaten by his teammate. Yes, even in 2018 by the forgotten Sirotkin. Finally, Alonso himself will not remain idly watching. Although the Spaniard has disappointed a lot at Fanta F1 in the first two events, he could return right here in Suzuka, where the great drivers come out, in front of his teammate Stroll. So be careful, because in that case it would already be two points less for all the fantasy managers of the Canadian. We warned you.
Isack Hadjar, with a bang already from Tokyo
The Japanese GP week started badly for Hadjar. The French rookie crashed his RB7, the untouchable Red Bull of the 2011 season, during an exhibition on the streets of Tokyo. Damaged wing against the edge of a curb. But that's not why we find the Racing Bulls driver among those not recommended today. Hadjar has never driven in Suzuka with a Formula 1 car. The Frenchman, then, in the first two appointments has shown himself prone to a few too many errors. On the other hand, his performance on the fastest lap, which has proven to be truly remarkable so far, plays in his favor. What was seen in the race, especially in China, where Hadjar was unable to capitalize on his excellent qualification, was bad. In this regard, we remind fantasy managers that half a point will be subtracted for each position lost by their drivers. Well, the Racing Bulls rookie could be the victim of this malus, as, as far as Sunday is concerned, he still lacks consistency. Time is needed, which his new teammate did not have: Liam Lawson.. This change, among other things, could bring further imbalances and disorder within the team, further putting in difficulty an inexperienced driver like Hadjar is, for now. For this week, therefore, it is better to let him rest on the bench.
Yuki Tsunoda, but let's hope he can prove us wrong
In a perfect world, Yuki Tsunoda, for his home GP and Red Bull's last Suzuka with a Honda engine, would get in the car on Sunday and manage to take home his first ever career podium. Moreover, a Japanese driver has not been on the podium in F1 since the 2012 Japanese GP, when the feat was achieved by Kobayashi's Sauber, with a historic third place. Instead, the sad reality of the facts leads us to a completely different scenario. In the hope that Tsunoda's adventure in Red Bull can start in the best possible way, it would be truly risky to field him in your team at Fanta F1. In fact, there are too many unknowns that hide behind the young Japanese. The Red Bull is a car, apparently, very complicated to drive. In addition, the pressure within the Austrian team, for a change, is really a lot. Furthermore, in the comparison with Max Verstappen, it is very likely that Tsunoda could load a two-point penalty onto the shoulders of his fantasy managers. So it is better to wait and carefully observe Tsunoda's first weekend in Red Bull. If he performs well, he will surely be considered again for the next Grand Prix.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli: dangerous hype
As Pinguini Tattici Nucleari sang in their pre-pandemic album, considerations about Antonelli need to be made “outside the hype”. The Italian has not disappointed so far, cheering the hearts of many of his compatriots who were hurt and abandoned by the disappointing Ferrari. In terms of Fanta F1, however, the heart should partly leave room for reason. So, let's reflect: Antonelli arrives in Suzuka for the first time aboard a Formula 1. A track that, as we have said, does not forgive even the smallest of mistakes. The young Mercedes driver has unfortunately made some, but, fortunately for him, they have not led to serious consequences. On the single lap, then, Antonelli still has to find the right feeling with his car. Starting from behind this time in Suzuka could prove to be a big problem. The track is narrow and, as spectacular as it looks, its layout does not offer many overtaking opportunities. Furthermore, Antonelli could find himself behind both the two Ferraris, who will surely return to the attack after the bad performance in Shanghai, and his teammate: George Russell. The latter beat the Italian both in qualifying and on Sunday in the race, thus appearing still too far away in terms of consistency of performance. In short, given that many fantasy managers have chosen Kimi Antonelli as the pillar of their team in the first two races of the season, we recommend, at least for this weekend, giving the young and talented driver from Bologna a bit of a break.
Getting rid of the hype could thus bring precious benefits. Both for Antonelli and for the Yaw club fantasy managers.
