F1 heads to Suzuka this weekend for the third race of the 2026 season. The Japanese Grand Prix takes place at one of the most iconic circuits on the calendar and should give us a clearer picture of the pecking order after three rounds. We take a look at the weekend from a betting angle and make a few suggested bets.
DRIVERS CHAMPIONSHIP UPDATE
Mercedes continue to dominate the 2026 season. George Russell leads the Drivers’ Championship with 51 points after two rounds, with teammate Kimi Antonelli close behind on 47 points following his victory at the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc is third on 34 points with Lewis Hamilton fourth on 33, while Oliver Bearman has impressed in the Haas to sit fifth on 17 points. Lando Norris is sixth on 15 for McLaren, with Max Verstappen down in eighth on just 8 points after a difficult start to the season.
Russell remains the favourite to win the Drivers’ Championship and is trading at 1.55. Antonelli has closed the gap significantly after his China win and is at 3.70, while Verstappen, Hamilton and Leclerc are all trading at 15.00.
Click here for betting on Drivers Championship winner
CONSTRUCTORS CHAMPIONSHIP UPDATE
Mercedes have been in a class of their own so far this season and lead the Constructors Championship with a commanding 98 points. Ferrari are second on 67 points, McLaren third on 18 and Haas fourth on 17. Red Bull have struggled badly with the new regulations and sit fifth on just 12 points, a worrying sign for the defending champions.
Mercedes are the overwhelming favourites to win the Constructors Championship and are trading at 1.20. Ferrari are at 4.30, McLaren at 13.00 and Red Bull at 21.00.
JAPANESE GRAND PRIX 2025
Last year’s Japanese Grand Prix was a dominant display from Max Verstappen, who took victory at Suzuka ahead of Lando Norris in second and Oscar Piastri in third. It was a strong weekend for Red Bull and McLaren, while Mercedes struggled at this circuit in the 2025 regulations.
Circuit
The Suzuka Circuit is 5.807 kilometres long and is one of the most technically demanding tracks on the calendar, featuring the famous S-Curves and 130R corner which reward car balance and downforce. The circuit has historically favoured cars with strong mechanical grip and aerodynamic efficiency.
BETTING – Click here to bet
George Russell (Mercedes) 1.55
Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) 4.30
Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) 10.00
Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) 10.00
Lando Norris (McLaren) 23.00
Oscar Piastri (McLaren) 23.00
Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing) 26.00
Betting and Verdict:
Lewis Hamilton has been quietly building his season at Ferrari and arrives at Suzuka in solid form after finishing third in China last time out. With Mercedes dominant but Russell and Antonelli likely to push each other hard at the front, Hamilton represents excellent value in the Top 3 market. Ferrari have shown they have the pace to mix it with Mercedes over a race distance and Suzuka’s technical nature suits a driver of Hamilton’s experience. At 1.85 for a Top 3 finish, he looks well priced.
Suggested Bet: Lewis Hamilton Top 3 at 1.85.
Isack Hadjar has been one of the standout performers of the early 2026 season in the Racing Bulls and finished eighth in China last weekend. The young Frenchman has impressed with his pace and skill and at 2.50 for a Top 6 finish at Suzuka, he offers genuine value. Racing Bulls have shown they have a quick enough car to regularly challenge for the top six and Hadjar looks capable of delivering another strong result at one of the more technical circuits on the calendar.
Suggested Bet: Isack Hadjar Top 6 at 2.50.
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