Fantasy F1 returns this weekend with the Baku Grand Prix. McLaren, like almost every race for the past year, is the clear favorite. However, Max Verstappen's Red Bull appears in Norris and Piastri's mirrors. Everyone else is behind, with Ferrari and Mercedes chasing. So, let's take a look together. Who would be better not to field for your fantasy team on the Azerbaijani circuit?, characterised by its long straights and ninety-degree curves.
At the back of the grid avoid Gasly and Hulkenberg
There is no light for the Alpine. The 2025 season is turning out to be a dark, dead-end tunnel.A significant decline, especially when compared to the end of last season, where, thanks to improvements introduced by the Austin Grand Prix, the team had managed to climb the constructors' standings. Finally, Even the last summer break didn't bring any good luck to Alpine, in fact, it seems to be even further behind the other teams. The music will certainly not change in Azerbaijan. Furthermore, a small reflection should also be made on Pierre Gasly. In the last two races the Frenchman has seen his teammate's performances getting closer, with Colapinto who arrived eleventh in Holland a close to the points zone, while in Italy he was classified in qualifying.
The other driver who would be better not to bet on in the Fanta F1 for the Baku GP is Nico Hulkenberg. German was author of a great season so far aboard his Sauber. In recent races, however, his teammate's talent has been shining through: Gabriel Bortoleto. Since the Austrian GP, in fact, the Brazilian has almost always prevailed over Hulkenberg. The latter has only prevailed in Great Britain and Holland. Another significant fact, The German hasn't scored any points since the Silverstone Grand Prix., a race in which he achieved his first ever career podium. Hulkenberg's great story certainly doesn't end here, but there's no denying that he's in a declining phase of his season. At this point, if you want to bet on one of the two Saubers, it is better to prefer Bortoleto, thus also saving some credit for first and second tier pilots.
In the midfield, it's best not to focus on Esteban Ocon.
Similar speech to that of Sauber: Ocon is having a good season. His decision to leave Alpine for the Haas team is a good one for now. The Frenchman is proving to be a solid driver, capable of taking advantage of the opportunities that come his way throughout the year. In the middle of the grid, then, the battle is quite close this year. Within a few thousandths of a second, we find several cars, and predicting who will do better or worse is always complicated. Or with, however, as well as Hulkenberg, he's starting to suffer more the talent and resourcefulness (which often becomes impetuosity) of Oliver BearmanThe young English rookie is becoming more and more confident in the category, even if a few too many errors are causing him to pay precious seconds in terms of penalties.
In any case, since returning from the summer break Esteban Ocon finished the only two races he contested behind his teammate. But it's not just a question of internal struggle, whose outcomes, however, can bring or take away points from fantasy managers. Race pace in the final Grand Prix wasn't the best. So much so that Haas was overtaken by the two Williams, Racing Bull, and, had it not been for Alonso's breakdown, even by their own Aston Martin. Monza is a low-load circuit, as is Baku., albeit to a lesser extent. Consequently, fantasy managers will also have to take into account what happened in the last round of the championship.Haas, in fact, had a rather below par race. Ocon, to get back to him, finished the Grand Prix in a dismal 15th position.
The two of them reappear in the top teams: Hamilton and Antonelli
Let's start with the Mercedes driver: Antonelli, as Carlo Vanzini often says in his commentary, he absolutely needs a clean weekend, which he has not yet found upon returning from the summer holidays. The only positive note was his return to the points, even after being subjected to a penalty at the end of the race (quite questionable). Now it's the turn of Baku GP, but at Fanta F1 it would be better not to bet on the very young rookie yet. First of all, why the German team could find itself at a disadvantage compared to Ferrari, Red Bull and especially McLaren. Antonelli is suffering greatly from the instability of his Mercedes, which, after Canada, It failed to bring updates that worked properly. This, in addition to mistakes made by Antonelli himself, affected the Italian driver's season.
Another driver who we are anxiously waiting for to return to performances worthy of his name is Lewis Hamilton. The 2025 season has turned out to be, as often happens around Maranello, well below initial expectations. Yet, in part, the difficulties of the seven-time world champion could have been foreseen. In any case, for the Baku GP at Fanta F1 it will be better to avoid betting on the English driver. The first podium of the season is unlikely to come on the Azerbaijani circuit, given that the two McLarens and Verstappen's Red Bull start with the advantage. Finally, let's also look at the internal comparison: Charles Leclerc has shown over the years that he has a special bond with the Baku track, recording four pole positions in the last four years. Hamilton, consequently, is the driver of second band which it would be better not to bet on.
