Chris Boline
- 2022 Japanese Grand Prix
- 1:00 a.m. EST on Sunday, October 9, 2022
- Suzuka International Racing Course in Suzuka, Japan
After wrapping up last weekend’s festivities at the Singapore Grand Prix, Formula 1 continues its stay in East Asia with a trip to Japan’s Suzuka Circuit for the 2022 Japanese Grand Prix. This year’s edition of the race will be the 36th edition of the Japanese Grand Prix, an F1 race first held back in 1963. Bettors of F1 will have plenty of familiarity with the course, meaning it’s a great time to get in on the action. As for newer Formula 1 bettors, be sure to check out our Formula 1 betting guides in order to get all the information you need and take a look at the best-reviewed sports betting apps.
Japanese Grand Prix Preview
The Japanese Grand Prix was not raced in 2020 or 2021 due to COVID-19, so the return to the famous racing track will be a highly coveted one in 2022. The race has alternated locations throughout history, with Fiji being another location for the Japanese Grand Prix. However, the past 11 Japanese Grand Prix have been held in Suzuka. The most recent winner of the race was former Mercedes standout Valtteri Bottas. Mercedes have had a vice grip on the race track over the better part of the last decade, having registered six consecutive Japanese Grand Prix victories. During that span, Bottas (1), Nico Rosberg (1), and Lewis Hamilton (4) were the winning drivers.
Among active drivers to secure a win at the Japanese Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton’s five victories are clear of the pack. Michael Schumacher is the all-time leader with six wins at the event, meaning Hamilton could potentially tie him with a victory on Sunday. Aston Martin’s Sebastian Vettel has won the Japanese Grand Prix four times, though all four came as a member of the Red Bull/Renault team. Alpine driver Fernando Alonso is the only other active driver to win at the event. He won in 2006 in Suzuka and 2008 in Fuji, both as a member of the Renault team.
The current F1 standings are led by Red Bull superstar Max Verstappen, who has 11 victories and 13 podiums on the year, totaling 342 points. He’s trailed by Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc (237 points), Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez (235 points), Mercedes’ George Russell (203 points), Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz (202 points), and Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton (170 points). All of those racers figure to be at the front of the pack come Sunday, and the odds represent that.
Odds to win
| To Win 2022 Japanese Grand Prix |  |
| Max Verstappen | -200 |
| Charles Leclerc | +300 |
| Sergio Perez | +1000 |
| Lewis Hamilton | +1200 |
| Carlos Sainz | +1600 |
| George Russell | +2000 |
| Lando Norris | +20000 |
| Fernando Alonso | +25000 |
| Daniel Ricciardo | +50000 |
Max Verstappen is considered the heavy favorite to take home first place at the Japanese Grand Prix, despite having never won at the event before. His (-200) odds lead the field by a wide margin, suggesting the books don’t rate anyone with nearly as good a chance of victory as the Red Bull standout. It makes sense, given his 11 victories already this season, but the odds aren’t very favorable for bettors. Verstappen is coming off a disappointing finish at the Singapore Grand Prix, having finished seventh in the city-based race. He’ll be keen to get back on the podium in Suzuka, but it’s far from a guarantee. With his odds, however, bettors may be more inclined to look elsewhere, or take a prop bet, which we’ll dive into later.
Apart from Verstappen, there are some other good value picks to win the Japanese Grand Prix in 2022. While Lewis Hamilton has not been at his best in 2022, he’s historically one of the most successful racers on this course, and could join Schumacher in F1 history with a gold medal on Sunday. That should provide some added determination for the British racer ahead of the showdown. He’s coming off a ninth-place finish in Singapore and has yet to earn a win in the competition this season, but this could be the perfect opportunity for him to turn things around. At (+1200) Hamilton presents an intriguing option for those looking for a long-shot pick on Sunday.
Those looking to ride the hot hand could also explore taking a gamble on Charles Leclerc. While he only has three wins this year, Leclerc is frequently at the top of the pack. He’s finished in second place in each of the previous three events, so a slip-up from someone like Verstappen could benefit the French Ferrari driver. At (+300), he’s the consensus top pick among racers not named Max Verstappen.
Prop Picks
In addition to the outright winner, bettors will have a wide variety of props, or race specials. I’ll take a look at my favorite race special prop bet that could add to the action at the Japanese Grand Prix.
The requirements for this bet are pretty clear. To cash in on the (+250), Max Verstappen would need to secure a Top-3 finish, which is widely expected from the Dutchman. Additionally, Charles Leclerc, George Russell, and the seasoned veteran and winningest active driver at the Japanese Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton, would need to secure top-six finishes. It sounds like somewhat of a tall order, but if the race plays out as expected, all of these scenarios could come to fruition without much of a surprise. With Verstappen expected to be the winner on Sunday, the other three racers would need to fight for the remaining top five spots. For any of them to finish outside of the Top 6 would be considered a disappointment for their teams, so I believe this is one of the best prop bets for the race.
Before getting in on the action, make sure to check out our sportsbook reviews in order to find the perfect fit your sports betting needs.
