The Japanese Grand Prix has the tightest track (Suzuka Circuit) of the season so far after races in Australia (Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit) and China (Shanghai International Circuit), and its fast corners result in fewer overtakes because of less braking.
Little Movement
The best number that shows the lack of overtakes on the Suzuka Circuit is that six of the last seven pole winners have won the race (Japan did not race in 2020 or ’21). Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas won in 2019 after starting in third behind Ferrari drivers Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc.
Since ’19, drivers who have started second have never won the race but have always finished on the podium besides Leclerc in ’19 when he started second and finished in sixth. Since 2015, 76% of top-five qualifiers have finished in the top five and 80% of top-three qualifiers finished in the top three.
Driver Shakeup
Red Bull shook up its team ahead of the upcoming race, swapping Japanese native Yuki Tsunoda for Liam Lawson alongside Max Verstappen.
Lawson, 23, crashed out in the Australian GP before qualifying for last place in the China Sprint and GP. He told reporters he was not expecting a change this early in the season but is focusing on “making the most of this opportunity now and still being in Formula 1.”
He’ll return to the Racing Bulls alongside rookie Isack Hadjar. Draft Kings offers a “Winner Without” market featuring the drivers outside of the big four and Lawson comes in at +285 to win out of that group.
Red Bull vs. McLaren
McLaren’s Lando Norris (Australian GP) and Oscar Piastri (Chinese GP) won the first two races of the season but look out for Verstappen this week.
Verstappen, whose 36 points this season trail Norris’ 44 for the top spot in the standings, finished second and fourth in the first two races, respectively. He’s won the last three Japanese GP and has started from the pole in each.
His odds to the podium are -125, but Red Bull’s double top-six finish comes in at +165.
Don’t Sleep on Ferrari
Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc were each disqualified from the Chinese Grand Prix after a promising start.
Hamilton won the Sprint leading up to the race but qualified for fifth with Leclerc one spot behind in sixth. After then finishing fifth and sixth, respectively, they were disqualified. Leclerc’s car was underweight and Hamilton’s rear skid block did not meet the minimum thickness required.
Hamilton, though, is one of the most successful drivers in Japan. His five wins (most recently 2018) are the most among active drivers and one short of Michael Shumacher’s record.
Hamilton set the lap record in 2019 and had the fourth-fastest lap last year, although this will be his first time racing Suzuka with Ferrari.
Expert Pick
Leclerc at +650 is our favorite longshot to win the pole. His average race-to-qualifying ratio comes in at just over 1.5, which is second behind Carlos Sainz.
The aftermath of the F1 Qatar Grand Prix is still reverberating through the racing world. Max Verstappen triumphed once more, deftly navigating through a race infused with pitstop pandemonium due to a three-stop strategy, instigated by tyre safety concerns. Oscar Piastri showcased his burgeoning talent, claiming the second spot while George Russell’s impressive recovery highlighted …
Formula 1 races are not just about speed; they involve skill, strategy, and quick thinking. Imagine using that same energy in a game that could win you real money. This is what Formula 1 DFS brings. It does not matter whether you are a beginner or lack knowledge about the sport. Learning about specific drivers …
Formula 1 DFS continues to gain popularity and momentum, gaining worldwide attention. This is because it allows you to pick drivers and compete in contests based on the real-life performances of the drivers. Picture it as an exciting way to follow your favorite Formula 1 races as you win cash prizes. If you are in …
The circus is back after three weeks of blissful summer vacation, but before we dive into the F1 Belgian Grand Prix pre-event odds, it’s only right to honor Nico Hulkenberg. After 239 races, the veteran finally landed on the rostrum, in the previous round. He will have the confidence to repeat the feat this weekend, …
F1 Japanese Grand Prix Betting Nuggets & Trends | 5 Things You Need to Know
The Track
The Japanese Grand Prix has the tightest track (Suzuka Circuit) of the season so far after races in Australia (Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit) and China (Shanghai International Circuit), and its fast corners result in fewer overtakes because of less braking.
Little Movement
The best number that shows the lack of overtakes on the Suzuka Circuit is that six of the last seven pole winners have won the race (Japan did not race in 2020 or ’21). Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas won in 2019 after starting in third behind Ferrari drivers Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc.
Since ’19, drivers who have started second have never won the race but have always finished on the podium besides Leclerc in ’19 when he started second and finished in sixth. Since 2015, 76% of top-five qualifiers have finished in the top five and 80% of top-three qualifiers finished in the top three.
Driver Shakeup
Red Bull shook up its team ahead of the upcoming race, swapping Japanese native Yuki Tsunoda for Liam Lawson alongside Max Verstappen.
Lawson, 23, crashed out in the Australian GP before qualifying for last place in the China Sprint and GP. He told reporters he was not expecting a change this early in the season but is focusing on “making the most of this opportunity now and still being in Formula 1.”
He’ll return to the Racing Bulls alongside rookie Isack Hadjar. Draft Kings offers a “Winner Without” market featuring the drivers outside of the big four and Lawson comes in at +285 to win out of that group.
Red Bull vs. McLaren
McLaren’s Lando Norris (Australian GP) and Oscar Piastri (Chinese GP) won the first two races of the season but look out for Verstappen this week.
Verstappen, whose 36 points this season trail Norris’ 44 for the top spot in the standings, finished second and fourth in the first two races, respectively. He’s won the last three Japanese GP and has started from the pole in each.
His odds to the podium are -125, but Red Bull’s double top-six finish comes in at +165.
Don’t Sleep on Ferrari
Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc were each disqualified from the Chinese Grand Prix after a promising start.
Hamilton won the Sprint leading up to the race but qualified for fifth with Leclerc one spot behind in sixth. After then finishing fifth and sixth, respectively, they were disqualified. Leclerc’s car was underweight and Hamilton’s rear skid block did not meet the minimum thickness required.
Hamilton, though, is one of the most successful drivers in Japan. His five wins (most recently 2018) are the most among active drivers and one short of Michael Shumacher’s record.
Hamilton set the lap record in 2019 and had the fourth-fastest lap last year, although this will be his first time racing Suzuka with Ferrari.
Expert Pick
Leclerc at +650 is our favorite longshot to win the pole. His average race-to-qualifying ratio comes in at just over 1.5, which is second behind Carlos Sainz.
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