Formula 1: Japanese Grand Prix Betting Preview

Max Verstappen’s nine-race winning streak came to an end in Australia as we shift our attention to much-anticipated formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday.

This weekend the drivers meet at the old-school Suzuka race track for the Japanese Grand Prix and it’s bound to be an intriguing battle. Red Bull has a score to settle after Verstappen’s brake issues in Australia and Ferrari is keen to show Sainz’s victory wasn’t a flash-in-the-pan moment.

But the two leading teams will have to watch out for McLaren. The Woking-based team scored second and third in last year’s Japanese GP and Lando Norris had enough pace to pass Charles Leclerc for second in Australia two weeks ago.

The Track

Suzuka was originally built as a Honda test track in 1962. It features iconic sections such as 130R and Designers. It’s the only track on the calendar to feature a crossover, which adds even more charm to its legacy.

It’s a rapid track with a solitary DRS zone and a top speed north of 330km/h. It’s 5.8km long and the pole-sitter starts on the left-hand side of the track. The first Turn can cause some mayhem and drivers will be cautioned to not get caught out.

The circuit requires cars to be set up with high downforce and 66% of the lap is driven at full throttle. Suzuka is unforgiving and its likely drivers will find themselves in the gravel trap. A Safety Car should come into the mix too.

Three-horse Race In The Front?

For the first time in two years, the triple world champion suffered a retirement, and he was livid. Verstappen will be taking no prisoners in Japan.

There is no shortage of drivers who are capable of challenging Red Bull in Suzuka. Ferrari and McLaren are in good form. All four drivers are performing well, and they’ll be wanting to stop Verstappen from returning to winning ways.

Ferrari’s Leclerc has the chance to lead the championship if he finishes ahead of the Dutchman this weekend. Ferrari can also leapfrog the energy drink team in the constructors’ standings with a strong result.

We think Norris and Piastri stand a good chance of getting onto the podium. The picture will become much clearer after the final free practice.

RB’s Yuki Tsunoda will want to follow on his seventh-place finish in Australia with another strong outing in front of his home fans. Mercedes are likely to struggle and all eyes will be on Lewis Hamilton. The Briton has had his worst start to an F1 season based on performances.

F1 info nugget: Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton still holds the record for the fastest lap around Suzuka with a 1:30.983 set back in the pre-Covid era, aka 2019.

Predictions

Winner: Verstappen
Podium: Verstappen, Norris, Leclerc
Winning Margin: Over 12 seconds
Fastest lap: Piastri
Pole position: Leclerc
First to retire: Ocon
Most Team Points: Ferrari
Both Cars Qualify for Q3 Shootout: McLaren
Practice 1/2/3 Winning Car: Sainz/ Ferrari
Safety Car: Yes
Top 6: Alonso, Hamilton, Russell
Top 10: Magnussen, Hulkenberg, Tsunoda
Fastest pit stop: Red Bull

Sean Parker

Sean Parker is a motorsport journalist and sports content creator at The South African. He has worked for the country's premier motoring publications, and is a Formula 1 contributor to Bet.co.za, the Bet Central podcast, and Vision View Sports radio.