F1 Japanese Grand Prix Expert Tips & Predictions

Venue: Suzuka Circuit, Japan.
Race Date: 29^th March 2026

It has been an all-action start to the new Formula 1 season, with Mercedes looking like the dominant force in the 2026 campaign.

Wins for George Russell and Kimi Antonelli have given Mercedes a real lease of life ahead of the new season and they look to have pace in the tank, which is sure to frighten the opposition.

Elsewhere, defending champions McLaren have battled hard in the opening weeks, in what looks like it could be a long road ahead, while Red Bull and to a lesser extent Ferrari, clearly have work to do for the season upcoming.

The iconic Suzuka Circuit in Japan is always a true test of a driver’s mettle, and this should be a big race, not only in the context of the season but for each team, as they look to build momentum, ahead of the enforced early campaign break.

This should be a super weekend of racing once more and we have our best F1 predictions for the Japanese Grand Prix right here and you can place your bets with Australia’s best betting sites!

F1 Japanese Grand Prix Race Winner

The third race of the 2026 F1 season here in Japan promises plenty and here is a look at some of the front runners:

George Russell @ $1.75

Mercedes have come firing out of the blocks this season and George Russell will be at the forefront of their hopes once again. The Brit won the opening race of the campaign in Australia, before backing it up with a decent showing in China and conditions at Suzuka should certainly suit. The chasing pack have had a fortnight to get their act in order since Shanghai, but Russell remains the favourite on the grid for this weekend.

Kimi Antonelli @ $4.33

Winning in China last time out felt like a serious line in the sand for Italian Kimi Antonelli, who looks to have the beating of most of his rivals this term. This Mercedes car showed up the best in pre-season testing and it has translated really well onto the track in recent times. Antonelli remains a very raw prospect, but his driving credentials are undoubted and with a win under his belt, he could be in the mix again here in Japan.

Charles Leclerc @ $10.50

Ferrari are another team who have shown up pretty well in the early part of the season and Charles Leclerc will be eager to keep pushing on here in Japan. Whether he and team mate Lewis Hamilton have enough to mount a serious title bid remains to be seen but there is no doubting Leclerc’s driving credentials. Suzuka will be a good test for Leclerc, but he has the pace and the driving ingenuity to be in the mix.

F1 Japanese Grand Prix Top Six Finish

Suzuka should provide a real test for every driver on the grid so early on in the season and there is plenty at stake already this season: –

Lewis Hamilton @ $1.20

A pair of impressive opening performances to the season have given Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari plenty of optimism to build upon here and the experienced Brit has fond memories of Suzuka. Picking up a race win feels unlikely, but Hamilton looks well placed to crack the top six.

Lando Norris @ $1.70

Having seen pace and threat disappear from the McLaren car in the off-season, there is a feeling that Lando Norris has work to do, in order to defend his F1 driver’s title. McLaren have had a couple of weeks to get their house in order though and Norris could steadily work his way back into the mix here in Japan.

Isack Hadjar @ $2.50

In a similar vein, Red Bull are a team with work to do to get their car firing on all cylinders and Isack Hadjar is their second driver this term. He has shown up pretty well in both races this season and while Max Verstappen will always lead their charge, Hadjar looks decent value to finish in the top half dozen at Suzuka.

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F1 Japanese Grand Prix Best Bets

Race Winner:

Top Six Finish: