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Betting Preview for the 2022 Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix
Updated: | First published:
Written by Mac Douglass, Senior Editor
For the first time in three years the Japanese Grand Prix is back, and this Sunday’s race could well put an end to the 2022 Driver’s Championship.
Run at Suzuka Circuit, a favorite amongst drivers, and the only figure eight track on the schedule, the Japanese Grand Prix is known for leveling F1’s playing field, as the circuit’s equitable distribution of left- and right-hand corners results in all manner of tyre preservation strategies.
Further, Suzuka’s layout places an unusually high value on power units, and given the race hasn’t been run since 2019, when Formula 1 race cars were built to radically different specifications, the 2022 Japanese Grand Prix is poised to be one of the least predictable races of the season.
Our Dimers.com F1 expert takes a look at the best bets for the 2022 Japanese Grand Prix this weekend.
2022 Japanese F1 Grand Prix Betting Preview
When?
Qualifier: Saturday, October 8th, 2:00 AM (ET)
Race: Sunday, October 9th, 1:00 AM (ET)
Where?
Suzuka Circuit, Japan
What’s at stake?
As it was last week in Singapore, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen can clinch the Driver’s Championship in Japan. But unlike last week, Verstappen will control his fate this Sunday, as a first place finishes combined with fastest-lap bonus point would lock in the Dutchman’s second straight Driver’s Championship. Down the grid, Mercedes will be desperate to rebound from a disappointing showing in Singapore, where Lewis Hamilton missed the podium despite qualifying third, and George Russell’s 14th place finish was by far his worst of the season. Ferrari, however, seems on the up and up, as does McLaren’s Danny Ricciardo, whose top five showing in Singapore was almost as surprising as Verstappen dropping down to seventh.
Japanese Grand Prix Best Bets
Verstappen wins, clinches Driver’s Championship. While it’s unlikely that Max Verstappen wins the fastest-lap bonus point, he does seem poised to win everything else. Verstappen’s poor showing in Singapore can mostly be chalked up to bad luck, and Suzuka Circuit should be much more favorable to his Red Bull, given the lengthier straightaways and critical importance of a top-tier power unit. Even without the fastest lap, Verstappen will clinch the championship with a finish six points better than teammate Sergio Perez, and eight points better than Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc. Look for the Dutchman to become the 13th driver in F1 history to secure a Driver’s Championship in Japan.
Another podium for Sergio Perez. After an excellent start to the season, Sergio Perez has paled in comparison to Red Bull teammate Max Verstappen—at least until last week. Fresh off a victory in Singapore, look for Perez to secure his second straight podium, largely due to Red Bull’s superior power unit.
Charles Leclerc takes pole. While an endless string of bad strategy decisions and car reliability issues have torpedoed Leclerc’s shot at the Driver’s Championship, Ferrari’s top driver nonetheless sits second in the standings, and has dominated this season’s qualifiers almost as thoroughly as Verstappen has dominated its races. The Monégasque has secured nine of 17 poles on the year. Look for this trend to continue at Suzuka, with Leclerc qualifying first, but on race day, ultimately succumbing to Red Bull’s dominant pace.
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Mac Douglass specializes in NFL previews for the NFC South and NFC East, MLB best bets, Formula 1 race previews, and professional tennis insights. Combining predictive simulations and data-driven sports analysis, Mac provides in-depth content to elevate the betting experience for sports fans.
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