Japanese Grand Prix Picks, Odds & Preview (Mar 29)
The third race of the Formula 1 season is set for the end of March, as the scenic Suzuka Circuit hosts the Japanese Grand Prix. But, can any team catch the dominant Mercedes? Find the odds and our picks here.
Event Information
- When: Sunday, March 29, 2026 @ 2:00 AM ET
- Where: Suzuka Circuit, Japan
- How to Watch: ESPN
Japanese Grand Prix Odds
| Driver | Odds |
|---|---|
| George Russell | -175 |
| Kimi Antonelli | +333 |
| Lewis Hamilton | +900 |
| Charles Leclerc | +1000 |
| Lando Norris | +2500 |
| Max Verstappen | +2500 |
| Oscar Piastri | +2500 |
| Other Selections | +12500 & Bigger |
Japanese Grand Prix Recent Winners
| Year | Winning Driver |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Max Verstappen |
| 2024 | Max Verstappen |
| 2023 | Max Verstappen |
| 2022 | Max Verstappen |
| 2021 | Not Held |
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Event Preview
The Japanese Grand Prix is typically one of the most exciting races on the calendar, with the field completing a total of 191 miles, which is made up of 53 laps of the challenging Suzuka Circuit. Michael Schumacher is the most dominant driver in the history of the race, while Max Verstappen has won the last four editions.
However, it could be challenging to overlook the Mercedes duo of George Russell and Kimi Antonelli this year. Russell won the opening race of the season in Australia, while Antonelli became the first Italian to win a Grand Prix in over 20 years in China last time out.
The dominance of the Mercedes is clear, with third-place Lewis Hamilton finishing 25 seconds off the pace. However, there was reason for the seven-time world champion to celebrate after landing a first podium since moving to the Italian team.
While Ferrari and Mercedes look competitive following the regulation changes, the same can’t be said of McLaren and Red Bull. China was a frustrating weekend for the former, with neither Oscar Piastri or Lando Norris able to start the race due to electrical issues.
The competitive nature of the midfield is also fascinating, with Haas’ Oliver Bearman, as well as the Alpine duo of Franco Colapinto and Pierre Gasly achieving top-ten finishes in China.
Japanese Grand Prix Picks
The status quo at the start of the new season looks unlikely to change in Japan, with Mercedes set to dominate at a track that suits their car. Therefore, George Russell is very challenging to overlook.
Free Pick:
