X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix DFS: DraftKings Daily Fantasy F1 Lineup Picks

charles leclerc F1 DFS lineup picks Draftkings daily fantasy Formula 1

Justin Carter's DraftKings and FanDuel DFS lineup picks for the Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix. Read our daily fantasy F1 advice and sleepers analysis.

Formula 1 heads to Japan this weekend for the Japanese Grand Prix. Last weekend in Singapore, Max Verstappen shockingly didn't win, which meant he also didn't wrap up the 2022 Formula 1 title, though he'll have a good chance to do so on Sunday in Japan.

Most of you reading this will be in North America, so get ready for an incredibly late night of action. This race begins at 1:00 a.m. ET and is the last Formula 1 race this season that will be inconvenient for American fans. The final four races feature three races in the western hemisphere, but a finale at Abu Dhabi.

Below you will find our Formula 1 DraftKings DFS lineup picks for 10/9/22, with the slate locking at 1:00 a.m. ET. If you have any questions or want to talk about Formula 1, you can find me on Twitter at @juscarts.

Featured Promo: Get any DFS Premium Bundle for for 30% off using code WIN! Win more with expert advice from proven winners and exclusive DFS tools. Get instant access to RotoBaller's Lineup Optimizers, Research Stations, daily picks and VIP chat rooms across 10 sports! Go Premium, Win More!

 

How Does Formula 1 Fantasy Work?

If you're familiar with using DraftKings for NASCAR, this Formula 1 format is going to feel really, really different from what you're used to. It's a lot closer to the NFL single-game showdown slates than it is to anything on the NASCAR side.

So, here's how the scoring and format work. You'll pick five drivers and a constructor. One of those drivers will be your captain, who earns you 1.5-times the points but also costs 1.5-times as much as they usually cost. For the constructor, you're choosing one of the F1 teams.

So, here's how the scoring works. Your driver only gets points if they finish in the top 10. Here's a chart for how that breaks down.

Finishing Spot DraftKings Points
1 25
2 18
3 15
4 12
5 10
6 8
7 6
8 4
9 2
10 1

In addition, the driver with the fastest lap of the race gets three points. You get 0.1 points per lap led, five points for beating your teammate, one point for being classified at the finish (finished 90% of the race, essentially), and points for place differential. Finish three spots higher than your grid position and you get two points. Finish five better and you get three points. Finish 10 better to get five points. You also lose points for negative place differential, starting at three spots.

The constructor points work the same way, with some added points if both cars do well.

It's confusing, but for Formula 1 DFS to work, it probably had to be confusing.

Now that we've gone over that, let's talk drivers.

 

Captain: Charles Leclerc ($16,800)

Starts 2nd

Look: Max Verstappen with a Red Bull stack is probably the highest-scoring play here, but I want to have some better options with the rest of my lineup, so I'm fading Verstappen and hoping that he finishes anywhere but first place.

Leclerc starts second, so if anyone can get past Verstappen early on, it's him. Leclerc has three podiums in a row and has beaten teammate Carlos Sainz in all three of those races.

Past track record here isn't great for Leclerc, but that'll happen when F1 hasn't been here since 2019. He did qualify second for that race, though he faded during the race and finished seventh.

Still, this is the obvious best non-Verstappen play and the only non-Red Bull driver who I would bet on winning a race before this season ends.

(If you decide to play the Verstappen/Red Bull stack, then replace Lando Norris with his teammate Daniel Ricciardo below and hope that Danny Ric can finish ahead of Norris for the first time since June.)

 

Constructor: Ferrari ($11,300)

Look, if I'm fading Verstappen, then I'm going to go all out here and also fade Red Bull. In fact, I think fading Red Bull is a smarter move than fading Verstappen. I'll likely run some lineups that pair Verstappen with Ferrari.

Anyway, Ferrari's two drivers start second and third and are coming off of a double podium last week at Singapore. I mentioned above what Leclerc has done lately, but Sainz has been good himself. Over the last six races, Sainz has five finishes of fifth or best, including a pair of podiums. Can Ferrari go back-to-back with double podiums? We'll see. It's what I'm hoping for by playing them, even if it's a little unlikely based on how the season has gone and how Ferrari strategy has been.

 

Lando Norris ($8,000)

Starts 10th

Norris starts a little too close to McLaren teammate Daniel Ricciardo for me to feel like this play is a lock, but considering Norris has now finished ahead of Ricciardo in eight consecutive races, Norris starting one spot ahead of Ricciardo is probably enough of a buffer.

This car has had some good runs lately, with Norris finishing fourth at Singapore last week. He has double-digit DFS points in seven of the last eight races, and the only race in that span where he didn't hit that number was at Belgium, when he had nine fantasy points, mostly because he started way back in 17th.

 

Esteban Ocon ($5,600)

Starts 5th

Ocon starts two spots ahead of teammate Fernando Alonso. Even with that, Alonso is the safer play, but the salary savings of a Ferrari stack over a Red Bull stack still doesn't put you in a position to afford Alonso this week, unless you play him over Norris.

Ocon has really struggled in qualifying lately, starting outside the top 10 in the last four races. But earlier in the year when he was starting near the front, he was doing a decent job of maintaining position. Ocon has started eighth or better five times. He's either gained spots, kept his position, or lost just one position in four of those five races. He finished ahead of Alonso in all four of those races.

 

Valtteri Bottas ($5,000)

Starts 12th

The safest play in F1 if you're looking for points for beating a teammate is Alexander Albon from Williams, but Bottas is close. Or, rather, he was close. He earned those points in 11 of the first 12 races. And then he hit a wall, finishing behind Guanyu Zhou in four consecutive races.

But of those four races, Bottas failed to finish three of them—twice via mechanical failure and once via crash. Zhou has defeated Bottas on track just once this year: Monza, when Zhou finished 10th and Bottas 13th. Zhou qualified well this week—he starts 14th—but the safe money is on Bottas here, as long as the car holds up.

 

Yuki Tsunoda ($3,200)

Starts 13th

Tsunoda starts 13th, while his Alphatauri teammate Pierre Gasly—who has announced he's leaving the team after this season—starts back in 17th.

And, well...that's my argument for Tsunoda as a value play this week. He starts the race with a pretty good advantage over his teammate, making him an interesting option if you want to chase the "beat teammate" points. The only driver under $4,000 who I would consider for this role aside from him is one of the Haas drivers, but I've really soured on Haas lately.

Tsunoda hasn't gotten the teammate points since the British Grand Prix on July 3rd, so don't go thinking this is a lock or anything. But Tsunoda did get those points in four of the first five races of the season, and if Tsunoda will be back next year and Gasly won't be, maybe Alphatauri will put more attention on this car going forward?



The Keys to Weekly NASCAR Success

NASCAR is back, and it's time for you to win more with RotoBaller!
Our NASCAR Premium Package for DFS and betting features several heavy hitters and proven winners.

Jordan McAbee anchors the team with his exclusive NASCAR DFS and betting picks, DFS projections and algorithm-predicted finishing order! Jordan had a 60+ unit betting profit in 2024 NASCAR, and a 25% average annual profit since 2018. He won the FSWA Racing Writer Of The Year award in 2023, and has been nominated for DFS Writer Of The Year in 2024.

Five-time NASCAR Racing Writer of the Year finalist and fantasy industry legend Scott "The King" Engel is also in the crew, bringing you his weekly strategies and lineup picks. Set your winning DFS lineups with our award-winning team. He has been nominated once again in 2024 for this award.

POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

NBA

Trevelin Queen Joins Chinese Team
Damian Lillard

Not Rushing His Return
NBA

Keon Johnson Waived by Nets
Justin Verlander

Plans to Pitch in 2026
Junior Caminero

Day-to-Day With Back Tightness
Will Smith

Won't Return When First Eligible
Tyler Soderstrom

Returns to A's Lineup
Tyler Warren

Sidelined on Wednesday with Toe Injury
Jaylen Waddle

Questionable for Week 3 Against Buffalo
Joe Burrow

Bengals Not Closing the Door on Joe Burrow Returning This Year
CFB

LaNorris Sellers to Play Against Missouri?
Kyle Tucker

Progress has "Plateaued"
Isaac Paredes

has "Outside Chance" to Return This Weekend
CFB

Kaidon Salter Expected To Start for Colorado on Saturday
Willson Contreras

Goes on 10-Day Injured List, Done for Season
Justin Fields

Ruled Out for Week 3 Due to Concussion
Jayden Reed

Out Indefinitely After Foot and Shoulder Surgery
Washington Commanders

Preston Smith Signs With Commanders
Trey Jemison III

Joins Knicks on Two-Way Contract
Kevin McCullar Jr.

Signs New Two-Way Deal With Knicks
Matt Ryan

Returns to Knicks on Exhibit 10 Contract
New York Knicks

Alex Len Signs Exhibit 9 Deal With Knicks
Nickeil Alexander-Walker

Expected to Take on Larger Offensive Role With Hawks
Thomas Sorber

Undergoes Surgery
Dominic Canzone

Has Five-Hit, Three-Homer Game Tuesday
Cal Raleigh

Sets Single-Season Home Run Record for a Switch-Hitter
Jayden Reed

Undergoes Clavicle and Foot Surgeries, Out for Foreseeable Future
Bo Bichette

to Miss Rest of Regular Season
Zach Neto

Placed on 10-Day Injured List With Hand Injury
Yordan Alvarez

Out on Tuesday, Dealing With "Significant" Ankle Sprain
Aaron Jones Sr.

Vikings Place Aaron Jones Sr. on Injured Reserve With Hamstring Injury
CFB

Diego Pavia Refutes Report of Seeking Seventh Collegiate Season
Christian Kirk

Expected to Return in Week 3
CFB

Diego Pavia Seeking Another Year of Eligibility
Tarik Skubal

on Track to Start Thursday
CFB

Kevorian Barnes Questionable Against SMU
Bo Bichette

has Short-Term Knee Injury, Could Return for Postseason
Tosan Evbuomwan

Joins Knicks
NBA

Kai Jones Links Up With EuroLeague Team
Bismack Biyombo

Returns to Spurs
Bones Hyland

Rejoins Timberwolves
Kobe Bufkin

Moves to Brooklyn
Trey Yesavage

Sets Franchise Strikeout Record On Monday
Yordan Alvarez

To Receive MRI For Sprained Left Ankle On Tuesday
Willson Contreras

Exits Early Monday With Right-Biceps Tightness
Yordan Alvarez

Exits With Ankle Sprain
Brock Bowers

Officially Active on Monday Night
Jauan Jennings

Day-to-Day With Ankle Injury
Logan O'Hoppe

Activated Off Seven-Day Injured List
CBJ

Denton Mateychuk Dealing With Groin Issue
Bo Horvat

Fine for Training Camp
Kirby Dach

on Track to Be Ready for Opening Night
Jose Altuve

Returns Against Rangers
J.J. McCarthy

Expected to Miss 2-4 Weeks With High-Ankle Sprain
J.J. McCarthy

Likely Out for Week 3 With High-Ankle Sprain
Jean Silva

Gets Finished For The First Time In His Career
Aaron Jones Sr.

Unlikely to Play in Week 3 Due to Hamstring Injury
Diego Lopes

Returns To The Win Column
Jayden Daniels

' Week 3 Status in Doubt
Rob Font

Outclassed In The Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
David Martinez

Wins His Second UFC Fight
Jared Gordon

Suffers Brutal TKO Loss At Noche UFC 3
Rafa Garcia

Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Brian Thomas Jr.

Dealing with Wrist Injury
Dustin Stoltzfus

Drops A Decision At Noche UFC 3
Kelvin Gastelum

Gets Back In The Win Column
Diego Ferreira

Suffers Second-Round TKO
Alexander Hernandez

Extends His Win Streak With A Brutal TKO
Quang Le

Suffers First-Round Knockout
Santiago Luna

Shines In His UFC Debut
Christopher Bell

Earns his First Bristol Cup Series Victory
Alex Bowman

Falls Short of Advancing Through Cup Series Playoffs
Chase Briscoe

Collects his Third Top-10 Finish at Bristol
Ryan Blaney

Strong Top-Five Bristol Performance Advances him to the Playoffs
Corey Heim

Earns his First Career Cup Series Top-10 Finish at Bristol
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Leads Greece to Bronze Medal
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Drops 28 Points in EuroBasket Finals
CFB

Indiana's Lee Beebe Jr. Out for Season with Knee Injury
Dennis Schröder

Dennis Schroder Named EuroBasket MVP
Bryce Eldridge

Giants to Promote Bryce Eldridge
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Progressing in Recovery
Jonathan Kuminga

Receives New Offer From Warriors
Kenneth Walker III

Bounces Back with Big Week 2 Performance
Bijan Robinson

Rushes for 143 Yards in Week 2
Justin Fields

Currently in Concussion Protocol
Cincinnati Bengals

Bengals Calling Around to Available Free-Agent Quarterbacks
Joe Burrow

to Undergo Surgery, Out at Least Three Months
Emil Heineman

Aiming to Take the "Next Step" This Season
Braeden Cootes

Good to Go for Camp
Ivan Fedotov

Blue Jackets Acquire Ivan Fedotov From Flyers
Quentin Grimes

Still Not Close to a New Contract Agreement
Joel Embiid

"Looking Slender, Spry and in Positive Spirits"
Ty Gibbs

Has Arguably his Best Career Drive, but Only Finishes 10th
Chase Elliott

Despite Crashing Out at Bristol, Chase Elliott Advances to Round of 12
Austin Dillon

Misses Round of 12 After Extremely Mediocre Bristol Run
Shane Van Gisbergen

Shane van Gisbergen Fails to Advance to Round of 12
Josh Berry

Finishes Last in All Three Round of 16 Races to Fail to Advance
CFB

Ryan Williams Explodes In Return To Field
CFB

Drew Allar Plays Mediocre Game In Blowout Win
CFB

LaNorris Sellers Exits Game In Blowout Loss
CFB

DJ Lagway Tosses Five Interceptions In Loss
CFB

Garrett Nussmeier Plays Game Manager in Saturday's Win
CFB

CJ Carr Remains Poised In Narrow Loss
CFB

John Mateer Leads Oklahoma In Rout
CFB

Arch Manning Struggles Against UTEP
CFB

Jeremiah Smith Impresses In Win
CFB

Sam Leavitt Shines As Arizona State Rebounds From Week 2 Loss
Ivan Demidov

Turning Heads in Rookie Camp
NHL

Calvin de Haan Signs With Swedish Team
Samuel Girard

Skates With Non-Contact Jersey
Mackenzie Blackwood

Dealing With Injury Ahead of Training Camp
Spencer Knight

Signs Three-Year Extension With Blackhawks
Chris Buescher

May have Another Solid Run at Bristol
Corey Perry

Out 6-8 Weeks Following Surgery
Kyle Busch

Should DFS Managers Roster Kyle Busch at Bristol?
Ricky Stenhouse Jr

Is Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Too Risky to Consider Rostering at Bristol?
Michael McDowell

Could be A Solid Value Option For Bristol DFS Lineups
Chase Elliott

Probably Won't Factor in for Bristol Win
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Not as Strong at Bristol as Other Short Tracks
Alex Bowman

Needs to Win to Make Round of 12
Ross Chastain

has Never Led at Bristol but Has Been Pretty Consistent
Austin Dillon

Richmond Speed Unlikely to Carry Over to Bristol
Josh Berry

Might Run Well at Bristol, but Almost Certainly Won't Win to Advance
Justin Haley

Bristol One of Justin Haley's Few Recent Bright Spots
CFB

Austin Simmons Listed As Game-Time Decision Against Arkansas
CFB

Nico Iamaleava Struggles In Fourth Straight Loss
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Dealing With a "Tweak"
BUF

Alexandar Georgiev Joins Sabres on One-Year Deal
Corey Perry

Injured During Pre-Camp Skate
CFB

Antonio Williams Out Against Georgia Tech
CFB

CJ Bailey Flashes Again in Win Over Wake Forest
CFB

Jaxson Moi a Game-Time Decision for Tennessee on Saturday
Jean Silva

A Favorite At Noche UFC 3
Diego Lopes

Set For Noche UFC 3 Main Event
Rob Font

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
David Martinez

Set For Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
Rafa Garcia

An Underdog At Noche UFC 3
Jared Gordon

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Dustin Stoltzfus

Looks To Return To The Win Column
Kelvin Gastelum

In Dire Need Of Victory
Diego Ferreira

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP