Japanese Grand Prix 2025 Predictions: Decent value for points shout

The F1 calendar is certainly delivering at the moment. It doesn’t feel like a minute since the chequered flag waved for Oscar Piastri in Shanghai, but now we are back ready to look forward to the Japanese Grand Prix - coming to you from Suzuka. It’s been a fairly chaotic few weeks for the sport, but more on that later. 

Below you can find my Japanese Grand Prix 2025 Predictions featuring my betting selections for the weekend’s action.

Just a couple of tips for you this week, but there’s as always been a lot of news to cover. Obviously we have to start with Red Bull, where all eyes will be on Christian Horner after he made the decision to replace Liam Lawson with Yuki Tsunoda after just two races. 

Lawson has gone to race for their sister team RB, where he will pair up with another rookie, Isack Hadjar. Having made that decision, just imagine the backlash should Lawson put in a great showing - with the potential that he could even beat Tsunoda at the first time of asking. Wild. 

Japanese Grand Prix Odds

Elsewhere, talking of Japan, Alpine’s Jack Doohan suffered a nasty crash in FP2 that caused a red flag, but should be fit to compete for the rest of the weekend. With McLaren leading the way once more, let’s dive into these predictions on what promises to be a mouth-watering weekend of action.

Oscar Piastri race winner @ 11/5

Now I don’t want to get into the habit of just tipping the last race winner to win the next race. But, I’ve been massively impressed by Piastri in recent weeks and believe he has what it takes to push Lando Norris all the way for the Drivers’ Championship title. It may change given the marathon season we have in store, but right now, the McLarens are the quickest car on track, and after last season, they have two experienced drivers that are at one with their set-ups. 

It means they can go toe-to-toe in 2025 and although Zak Brown will be keen to avoid the sort of driver arguments we saw at the back-end of the last campaign, I think he is going to be put into some difficult situations by these two rapid racers. Lando is Lando, and is always going to be competitive, but he is priced at 5/4 to win this race and I don’t think that price is justified at this current moment. 

Formula One Odds

Having won in China, and out-performed his teammate in FP2 when they were both on track, I think that Piastri offers the best value in the field to take the win. I also believe that Mercedes will have a good race so I would consider looking at George Russell for a podium finish, while I’m willing to be patient with Ferrari after Lewis Hamilton won the Sprint last weekend, but was subsequently disqualified along with his teammate due to an underweight car.

I think they can be top-six contenders again, but I wouldn’t hang my hat on either of them challenging for a race win just yet. This is McLarens to lose yet again, so let’s back Piastri rather than Norris, as we hunt for some value. 

Alex Albon points finish @ 1/1

After his big move from Ferrari, a lot was expected of Carlos Sainz at Williams, but instead it has been his reliable teammate that has stepped up to the plate over the first couple of weeks. Albon is one of the most underrated drivers on the circuit in my eyes and I think his results this term haven’t been a fluke by any means. 

He ended up scooping 10 points from China last weekend after the double Ferrari disqualification bumped him up a few places, but he finished ninth on track and would have scooped points on merit. He also finished fifth in Australia, and ended up just 12 seconds behind race winner Norris after putting in another fine display. 

Again, as I hunt for value, I think Albon offers the best option for us at this stage of the season. He’s doing well, is in-form and has proven his pace and consistency. Essentially, we need him to be better than half the field to secure some points for this tip to be a winner. Given the amount of rookies, and uncertainty over the likes of RB, I’m more than happy to do that.