The Best of the Rest: Where the Big Points are Really Scored

With all the plaudits rightfully going to Kimi Antonelli for a superb drive at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium, which extended his lead at the top to 45 points, battles further down the grid often go unnoticed. In this region, big points take on a completely different meaning.

Antonelli secured an important win in his bid to become the youngest ever world champion since Sebastian Vettel won his first title at the age of 23 years and 134 days. Antonelli would shatter that record, but while the focus for the Italian will be on securing the maximum haul in Budapest before the summer break, teams further down the grid will go into the weekend fighting tooth and nail to secure big points of their own in their bid to be the best of the rest.

We are of course alluding to the likes to Alpine, Racing Bulls, and Audi (sorry Haas, Williams, Aston Martin and Cadillac). Due to 10-place penalties taken by Lando Norris and Isack Hadjar in Belgium, 7th to 12th was primed for a magnificent midfield battle with Arvid Lindblad heading the train of Gabriel Bortoleto, Liam Lawson, Pierre Gasly, Franco Colapinto, and Nico Hülkenberg. And it did not disappoint.

Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2026_Chinese_GP_-_Audi_-_Gabriel_Bortoleto_-_Qualifying.jpg

Big Points Fantasy: Where 10th Place Brings the Biggest Reward  

The battle to be the best of the rest has been a fascinating watch, especially for those involved or looking to get involved with the Big Points Fantasy game, where 9th and 10th are where the real big points are scored. From the opening two races, it seemed like Haas would be the team to make the big jump in the new era of rules and regulations. 7th and 5th place finishes for Bearman in Australia and China set the midfield pace.

However, that early season momentum quickly fell away with Alpine seemingly taking up the mantle with Gasly and Colapinto securing back-to-back 7th positions in Japan and Miami either side of the enforced break due to the conflict in the Middle East. Even Williams offered hope of a resurgence with a double points finish in Miami having fallen significantly behind in pre-season development, missing the first test in Barcelona completely.

Canada saw Alpine dominate the lower points scoring positions (big ones for those in the game) but since Monaco, it has been the Racing Bulls of Lawson and Lindblad that have been consistently picking up points. 6th and 7th for Lawson and Lindblad respectively in Monaco was mirrored in Silverstone as the Red Bull sister team began to assert its position at the head of the midfield.

It was the pair that also finished 9th and 10th when all the eight drivers from the top four teams filled the top eight places in Austria, the only time that has happened this season. For those of the Fantasy persuasion, it was Lindblad that took home big points for 10th, and the Brit is currently on a run of five consecutive races finishing in the points.

One More Dance Before Summer Sunshine

The teams up and down the paddock pack up their motorhomes and make the lengthy drive to Budapest where the drivers will take to the track one last time before the summer break. From the rapid straights in Belgium, the tight and twisty corners of the Hungaroring offer a different energy deployment challenge (something George Russell might be thankful for).

Last time out, it was Bortoleto who made it consecutive 8th place finishes, taking advantage of a Virtual Safety Car to get ahead of Lindblad. It was a battle right to the line, but Audi took bragging rights going into the Hungarian Grand Prix. The Swiss-based team have been knocking on the door for big points, in all senses of the word, all season long after Hülkenberg fell agonisingly short of the points in 11th in Shanghai and Suzuka.

Although Bortoleto scored points in Melbourne, the Brazilian can add three more 11th place finishes in Monaco, Barcelona, and Spielberg before returning to the points in Silverstone. And with Lindblad and Colapinto taking the remaining big points in Spa-Francorchamps, the three main midfield protagonists were well represented in the race for big points.

And for those who have not seen it yet, Colapinto’s double overtake on teammate Gasly and Lawson going into Les Combes produced for drama and excitement than the Argentinian football team did over 120 minutes. What promised to be a competitive midfield battle after qualifying certainly delivered.

Hunt for Big Points in Hungary

Despite a mini resurgence for Audi, the German manufacturer still sits 9th in the constructors’ standings, behind Haas and Williams. Mattia Binotto will hope recent results can yield more points consistently and many in Hinwil and Neuburg will be hoping that Hülkenberg can get into the top ten for the first time this season.

Ahead of the trio of Audi, Williams and Haas, Racing Bulls and Alpine sit locked on 61 points with both teams looking for a good Hungarian haul to take their place behind the top four going into the break. On a track most reminiscent of Monaco without barriers, the Racing Bulls might fare slightly better than the Mercedes-powered Alpine.

Much like Monaco, qualifying will be pivotal with plenty of corners to build energy under braking to use in defence mode on the start/finish straight, the main opportunity for overtaking. Last season produced a mishmash of a top ten with Verstappen and Antonelli finishing 9th and 10th respectively.

The previously powerful Aston Martins will only be dreaming of 5th and 7th based on their performances this season. However, a significant upgrade could surprise everyone and push them into big points scoring contention. That would be a big ask though for a team that finished two laps down in Belgium.

But back to the current midfield battle and it was Bortoleto who secured a fine 6th position in the Kick Sauber, two positions above Kiwi Lawson. A repeat of that result would see Racing Bulls wear the biggest summer smile in their battle with Alpine. It has been a breathless season so far as teams, drivers, fans, and experts alike still try to get their heads around the new rules and regulations.

With a tight, congested field expected across the whole grid, let alone in the midfield, there promises to be plenty of action in Budapest. Up front, Antonelli will look to extend his lead at the top against potentially fast Ferraris. But for the teams looking to be the best of the rest, there are lots of big points to be scored.