Max Verstappen and Red Bull's dominant showing in 2023 suffered a minor blip at the 2023 Singapore Grand Prix last weekend.
Failing to even qualify for the final part of qualifying despite winning the ten prior races, Ferrari's Carlos Sainz stole in to win a thrilling night race from pole position.
It certainly leaves the door open again for the chasing pack in Japan this time around as they'll look to exploit Red Bull's set back.
McLaren pair Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri will be in the hunt for the win, as too will Mercedes duo Lewis Hamilton and George Russell, the latter who'll be desperate to make amends for his last lap crash in Singapore. Sainz and Charles Leclerc are also shorter odds than usual for success here in Suzuka.
Ahead of the action, The Sporting News dives through all of the odds to give you the best bets and tips for the upcoming race.
MORE: F1 2023 season predictions, odds, betting tips and best bets
F1 Japanese Grand Prix 2023 odds to win
Full list of odds for drivers to win the 2023 Japanese Grand Prix
Odds via BetMGM (USA), Sports Interaction (Canada), BetOnSports (UK), Unibet (Australia) and Dafabet (India). Odds correct as of September 19.
| Driver | BetMGM | Sports Interaction |
BetOnSports | Unibet | Dafabet |
| Max Verstappen | -330 | 1.28 | 2/7 | 1.33 | 1.28 |
| Sergio Perez | +1100 | 11.00 | 11/1 | 13.00 | 12.00 |
| Lando Norris | +1400 | 15.00 | 14/1 | 15.00 | 15.00 |
| Lewis Hamilton | +1600 | 21.00 | 18/1 | 17.00 | 19.00 |
| George Russell | +1800 | 21.00 | 25/1 | 19.00 | 26.00 |
| Charles Leclerc | +1800 | 21.00 | 18/1 | 19.00 | 19.00 |
| Carlos Sainz | +1800 | 21.00 | 18/1 | 19.00 | 19.00 |
| Oscar Piastri | +2500 | 26.00 | 28/1 | 19.00 | 29.00 |
| Fernando Alonso | +5000 | 41.00 | 50/1 | 34.00 | 51.00 |
| Esteban Ocon | +25000 | 251.00 | 250/1 | 301.00 | 251.00 |
| Pierre Gasly | +25000 | 251.00 | 250/1 | 301.00 | 251.00 |
| Lance Stroll | +25000 | 251.00 | 250/1 | 301.00 | 251.00 |
| Alex Albon | +25000 | 501.00 | 250/1 | 301.00 | 251.00 |
| Yuki Tsunoda | +25000 | 501.00 | 500/1 | 1001.00 | 501.00 |
| Liam Lawson | +50000 | 501.00 | 500/1 | 1001.00 | 501.00 |
| Kevin Magnussen | +100000 | 501.00 | 500/1 | 2001.00 | 501.00 |
| Nico Hulkenberg | +100000 | 501.00 | 500/1 | 2001.00 | 501.00 |
| Valtteri Bottas | +100000 | 501.00 | 500/1 | 2001.00 | 501.00 |
| Zhou Guanyu | +150000 | 501.00 | 500/1 | 2001.00 | 501.00 |
| Logan Sargeant | +150000 | 501.00 | 500/1 | 2001.00 | 501.00 |
F1 Japanese Grand Prix 2023: Best bet
- Pick: Carlos Sainz to finish on the podium
- Odds: +250 (BetMGM)
After winning in Singapore last time out and claiming the last two pole positions both there and at Monza previously, it's difficult to see why Carlos Sainz is such good value for a podium finish here.
At +250, this selection has a nice bit of value and after winning at Marina Bay, the Spaniard will be full of confidence in targeting more success here.
In recent weeks, Ferrari have really improved. From their car upgrades to some positive strategy calls, the Madrid native has very much taken over as the Italian constructors' most dangerous looking driver in terms of challenging Red Bull out front.
F1 Japanese Grand Prix 2023: Flier bet
- Pick: Lewis Hamilton to record the fastest lap
- Odds: 10/1 (BetOnSports)
After claiming the fastest lap award in Singapore thanks to his final flying stint in that race, we're backing Lewis Hamilton to have more success in this regard at Suzuka.
At 4/6 on, there's simply no point picking Max Verstappen here and as we've seen of late, the extra point for quickest lap has been shared out quite a lot over the past few races.
Hamilton got it last time with Piastri, Alonso and Hamilton again all receiving the fastest lap award more recently than the Dutchman. That means the door is open once again here for an 'underdog' to grab the award and at 10/1, Hamilton represents fantastic value.