F1 Fantasy 2026: Antonelli, Hadjar and Lindblad Rated for the Run-In
3 April 2026
Before the season, three young drivers in new situations were the biggest unknowns in F1 Fantasy: Kimi Antonelli in his second year at Mercedes, Isack Hadjar promoted to Red Bull, and Arvid Lindblad making his debut at Racing Bulls.
Fifteen rounds later, the answers are clear, and they are very different.
Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes: the championship leader
After Azerbaijan, Antonelli leads the championship on 302 points, 66 clear of team-mate George Russell. His last three races were P5, P1 and P1.
The preseason caution, that his floor was unknown, has not been a problem. He has been the most consistent high scorer in the game this year.
For the run-in: Antonelli is a core pick, and the default Boost choice unless a specific race points elsewhere. The one thing to watch is the title fight. With Russell 66 points behind and eight races left, Mercedes are likely to let both drivers race, which keeps both scoring well but adds some risk of the two of them colliding.
Best weekend for him: Singapore at Round 17. It is a Sprint weekend at a low-overtaking circuit, where the front-runners stay at the front. If you still have the 3X Boost, Antonelli at Singapore is the obvious use of it.
Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls: the rookie who delivered
Lindblad scored points on his debut, finishing eighth in Australia, and has kept going. Through 14 rounds he had 31 points and nine top-ten finishes, scoring in roughly half of his races. He finished seventh in Monaco, gave Racing Bulls their best grid slot of the year with P7 at Spa, and has been close to Liam Lawson in qualifying all season.
For the run-in: Lindblad is one of the better-value midfield picks. He regularly finishes around the edge of the top ten, which means a steady points floor, and high-overtaking circuits like Sepang, Austin and Brazil give him room to gain places. Check his current price against his last three races before buying.
The risk: he is still a rookie, and Sepang and Madrid were new to the whole grid. Wet races are where inexperience shows most.
Isack Hadjar, Red Bull: the hardest seat on the grid
Hadjar has scored steadily but well short of Verstappen in a Red Bull that has not won a race this season. The second Red Bull seat has been difficult for a long line of drivers, and 2026 has been no exception.
For the run-in: Hadjar is hard to justify at a Red Bull price when he finishes behind Verstappen most weekends. Midfield drivers with similar results usually cost less. He becomes interesting only if his price has dropped well below Verstappen's and a high-overtaking circuit gives him room to gain places.
Quick comparison
| Driver | Team | Verdict for the run-in |
|---|---|---|
| Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes | Core pick and default Boost. 3X Boost at Singapore. |
| Arvid Lindblad | Racing Bulls | Good-value midfield pick, especially at high-overtaking circuits |
| Isack Hadjar | Red Bull | Avoid at a premium price. Only worth it if his price has fallen. |
The run-in guide covers the eight races left and where each chip fits.
Frequently asked questions
Is Antonelli worth picking in F1 Fantasy? Yes. After 15 rounds he leads the championship on 302 points and has been the most consistent high scorer this season. He is the default Boost pick for most of the run-in.
How has Arvid Lindblad done in his rookie season? Very well. He scored on his debut with eighth in Australia and had 31 points and nine top-ten finishes through 14 rounds, including seventh in Monaco.
Is Isack Hadjar a good F1 Fantasy pick? Not at a premium price. He has scored steadily but generally finishes behind Verstappen, and similar results are usually available more cheaply in the midfield.
Who is the best young driver to pick for the rest of 2026? Antonelli for points, Lindblad for value. Antonelli is a premium pick who is leading the title race. Lindblad offers a steady points floor at a midfield price.
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