Driver prices and how to play

Formula 1 is all set for 2024 which means the return of its popular fantasy game, where participants can manage their own racing team.

It offers people the opportunity to virtually build a team of drivers and constructors to compete online by scoring points depending on how their squad performs in real life. 

People can now sign up for F1 Fantasy 2024 ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix on 29 February – 2 March.

How to play F1 Fantasy

F1 Fantasy is free to play, and people can register for the game via the official F1 app or its website where both have a special section dedicated for it. However, to play, a person first needs an F1 account but that is free and very quick to sort.

To play F1 Fantasy for the season-opening Bahrain GP, a person must sign up and create their team by 4pm GMT on Friday 1 March, which is when qualifying starts as the race is on a Saturday due to the start of Ramadan.

However, it is still possible to start playing F1 Fantasy after the opening grand prix, but that would mean missing out on a weekend’s worth of points and potentially starting on the back foot.

Once a person has signed up for F1 Fantasy, it’s time to build a team. F1 Fantasy players have a budget of $100m which must go towards five drivers and two constructors.

Logan Sargeant, Williams W46

Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images

But just because a player has one team for the opening race, it doesn’t mean they must stick to that line-up for the rest of the season. This is because participants are given two free transfers before each grand prix, so they can replace a driver or constructor if they wish.

If an F1 Fantasy player does not use both free transfers at once, one will carry over to the following race where it must then be used because they cannot be accumulated throughout the year. It is also possible to exceed the permitted number of free transfers, but any additional switches will incur a 10-point penalty.

It is also worth watching out for the price changes because they vary after each grand prix depending on performance. So, just because a driver costs a certain amount before the Bahrain GP does not necessarily mean that will be his value come July’s British GP.

Ahead of a grand prix weekend, F1 Fantasy players must also give DRS Boost to one of their drivers, meaning his points tally will be doubled for the round.

F1 Fantasy players are also given six special chips for the season: Autopilot, Extra DRS Boost, No Negative, Wildcard, Limitless and Final Fix.

Each chip can be used just once during a season and only one can be selected per race. The chips have different attributes and help an F1 Fantasy player score additional points over a weekend.

Of the six chips, three can be used instantly – Autopilot, Extra DRS Boost and No Negative – while the remaining ones are available after a player’s opening race.