The Formula 1 Italian Grand Prix at Monza is set for this weekend, and as the action heats up, DraftKings F1 DFS enthusiasts are seeking the best picks to build winning lineups. With Max Verstappen on pole but fierce competition from the McLaren duo Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, the 2025 Formula 1 Italian Grand Prix DFS slate offers intriguing choices for daily fantasy players.
Last weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix saw Piastri claim victory from pole position, marking McLaren’s fifth consecutive triumph, extending the dominance of Mercedes-powered cars to eight straight wins. This fluctuating competitive environment makes strategic DraftKings selections crucial for excelling in fantasy contests this weekend.
Analyzing Captain Picks: Why Fernando Alonso is a Strategic Choice
Fernando Alonso, priced at $9.3K and starting ninth, has emerged as a compelling captain pick for the Italian Grand Prix. Despite trailing teammate Lance Stroll in the season standings, Alonso’s superior starting position and recent strong results position him to overtake Stroll in points after this race. While Stroll faces the tough challenge of moving through the pack from 17th, Alonso’s momentum has been building; he has earned points in six of the last seven races following a slow start to the season and is expected to maintain or improve his grid position.
Constructor Selection: Opting for Mercedes Over McLaren Saves Budget
While McLaren’s continued success might make them an obvious choice for constructor, the hefty cost requires consideration. Mercedes, at $8.9K, offers a more budget-friendly option with solid potential for double points from its drivers. George Russell’s consistent performances and responsible driving could see him finish near his fifth-place start, while rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli presents both promise and risk. Antonelli’s pace throughout the season has been impressive, but his reliability issues—four DNFs and multiple off-point finishes—introduce volatility. He begins this race in sixth place, a starting position he has matched several times this season, occasionally converting strong starts into points.
McLaren’s Lando Norris: An Aggressive Contender Starting Second
Lando Norris, starting second and priced at $13.4K, remains a strong DFS target largely based on qualifying performance relative to teammate Piastri. Norris’s urgency is amplified after failing to finish last weekend’s Dutch GP; to keep pace in the championship battle, he must challenge aggressively and not yield his position. Given Norris and Piastri’s close performances, using the better-qualified McLaren driver is a reasonable strategy. Expect Norris to fiercely contest his teammate rather than cede ground easily.
Max Verstappen and Pole Position Edge
Max Verstappen, starting from pole at $10.8K, looks to convert his dominant qualifying pace into his first victory since May’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. His historic fastest lap on Saturday presents a psychological edge. However, Verstappen was not fastest in practice sessions, which signals a potentially open race. With McLarens strong contenders and no clear one-two in practice speed, the race could unfold unpredictably, but Verstappen’s pole position affords him a valuable advantage.
Dark Horse Selections: Gabriel Bortoleto’s Top 10 Potential
Gabriel Bortoleto begins eighth and costs just $4.0K, making him an attractive sleeper pick. After a disappointing 15th-place finish in the last race ended his points-scoring streak at two, Bortoleto’s return to Q3 suggests he will contend for another top-10 finish. Notably, in his previous three top-10 starts this season, he has maintained or improved his grid position, emphasizing his reliability and steadiness in race conditions.
Value Pick in Ollie Bearman: Momentum Rising from 11th Place
Ollie Bearman, a $3.4K pick starting 11th, offers an intriguing value choice after an impressive sixth-place finish at the Dutch Grand Prix—his best result of the season. Bearman’s starting spot this weekend improves significantly from last race’s 20th, enhancing his chances to score points again. Aside from his four points finishes this year, Bearman has narrowly missed scoring multiple times, finishing eleventh on four occasions. His performance this season reflects promise if he can convert good qualifying into consistent race results.
Of course there’s always that little extra time to be found when you look back at it, but I was giving it everything out there. Pretty happy with the lap I was able to put down — Ollie Bearman, Haas Driver
Teammate Rivalries and Top Contenders for Each Team
Evaluating intra-team battles is critical for predicting outcomes. For this race, the favored drivers to outperform teammates include:
- McLaren: Lando Norris
- Mercedes: George Russell
- Red Bull: Max Verstappen
- Ferrari: Charles Leclerc
- Racing Bulls: Isack Hadjar</li>
- Williams: Alexander Albon
- Haas: Ollie Bearman
- Sauber: Gabriel Bortoleto
- Aston Martin: Fernando Alonso
- Alpine: Pierre Gasly
Last race’s picks were evenly split at 5-5, reflecting the parity within teams. The only notable misstep was selecting Esteban Ocon over Bearman as top Haas driver despite Bearman’s stronger recent results, highlighting the value of trusting form over convention.
Understanding How Formula 1 DFS Scoring Works
Formula 1 DFS on DraftKings requires selecting five drivers and one constructor. One driver must be designated as captain, earning 1.5 times the points but also costing 1.5 times their usual salary. Only top-10 race finishers score points, with additional rewards for fastest lap (+3 points), laps led (+0.1 point per lap), beating teammate (+5 points), finishing classified (+1 point), and place differential.
Place differential is particularly impactful. Finishing three places better than grid grants 2 points, five positions better gives 3 points, and an improvement of 10 or more places yields 5 points. Conversely, losing three or more grid spots results in point losses. Constructor scoring operates similarly with bonus points for strong dual-car finishes, balancing the need to select reliable teams capable of consistent scoring.
Looking Ahead: Monitoring DFS Picks and Race Developments
As Monza’s storied circuit hosts the Italian Grand Prix, strategy, speed, and reliability will shape results pivotal for fantasy lineups. Max Verstappen’s pole position and recent record-setting lap mark him as a favorite, but drivers like Fernando Alonso and the McLaren pairing bring strong momentum that could disrupt expectations. Monitoring qualifying, practice sessions, and track conditions will be essential for final lineup adjustments.
Fantasy managers should weigh risk versus reward, particularly with promising but inconsistent drivers like Andrea Kimi Antonelli and Ollie Bearman. The race’s unpredictable nature and diverse tactics used by teams and drivers add layers of complexity, making the 2025 Formula 1 Italian Grand Prix DFS slate an intense and thoughtful contest for daily fantasy players.
