Suzuka F1 betting preview: odds, tips & best bets

The 2025 Japanese Grand Prix will light up Suzuka Circuit this Sunday, April 13, with lights out scheduled for 4:00pm AEST / 2:00am ET / 11:00pm PT (Saturday night). After a dramatic race weekend in China, Formula 1 returns to one of its most iconic tracks, where Max Verstappen has bounced back in style to claim pole position.

Verstappen leads McLaren duo in qualifying

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen returned to dominant form on Saturday, posting a near-perfect lap to secure pole position at Suzuka — a track he’s always excelled at. He’ll start ahead of the McLaren pair, with Lando Norris locking in P2 and Oscar Piastri just behind in P3.

Piastri remains in strong form following his breakthrough weekend in Shanghai, while Norris is knocking on the door. With both McLarens hot on Verstappen’s tail and rain in the forecast, Sunday’s race promises to be a thriller.

Max Verstappen has seen the second line of betting following his pole at Suzuka with top online sportsbooks pricing him at +165.

2025 Japanese Grand Prix Winner Odds

• Lando Norris (McLaren) – $2.20
• Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – $2.65
• Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – $4.50
• Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – $21.00
• George Russell (Mercedes) – $21.00
• Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) – $34.00
• Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) – $81.00
• Isack Hadjar (VCARB) – $151.00
• Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull) – $151.00
• Alex Albon (Williams) – $201.00

Betting Tips & Predictions

2025 Japanese GP Starting Grid & Qualifying Times

1. Lando Norris (McLaren) – 1:26.995
2. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – 1:27.027
3. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – 1:27.299
4. George Russell (Mercedes) – 1:27.318
5. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) – 1:27.555
6. Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) – 1:27.569
7. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) – 1:27.610
8. Alex Albon (Williams) – 1:27.615
9. Oliver Bearman (Haas) – 1:27.867
10. Pierre Gasly (Alpine) – 1:27.822
11. Carlos Sainz (Williams) – 1:27.836
12. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) – 1:27.897
13. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) – 1:27.906
14. Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull) – 1:28.000
15. Nico Hulkenberg (Kick Sauber) – 1:28.570
16. Gabriel Bortoleto (Kick Sauber) – 1:28.622
17. Esteban Ocon (Haas) – 1:28.696
18. Jack Doohan (Alpine) – 1:28.877
19. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) – 1:29.271