2025 Japanese Grand Prix: Predictions and Betting Odds for the F1 Race

Can Norris Finally End the Reign of the Bulls?

The 2025 Japanese Grand Prix takes place from April 5 to 6 at the iconic Suzuka Circuit in Mie Prefecture, marking the third race of the F1 season. 

What odds have the bookmakers prepared for the stage in Japan? Find the best odds for the racing weekend in our review.

Who will win the race?

Norris

29/20

Piastri

2/1

Verstappen

13/2

From the opening weekends of the season, Lando Norris has made it clear: give him a competitive car, and he’s ready to challenge for the ultimate prize. His early-season pace has turned heads, and judging by the performance of the McLaren, the bookmakers aren’t keen to argue.

2025 Japanese Grand Prix Winner Odds

It’s no surprise Norris is tipped as the favourite. The McLaren has not only retained the momentum it built at the back end of 2024 but improved in key areas. 

Red Bull and Mercedes, meanwhile, are struggling to even make the podium. Right now, it would take a miracle — not just raw driving talent — for either to mount a serious title charge.

Formula 1 Drivers' Championship Title Betting Odds

Max Verstappen is clearly pushing the RB20 well beyond its limits, but it’s not enough. McLaren’s speed is in a class of its own, and unless Red Bull unveils a dramatic set of upgrades, McLaren looks poised to dominate.

McLaren to win Constructors’ Championship

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Bet

3/20

There’s even less optimism at Ferrari. A mere nine points from the opening race, compounded by a galling disqualification in the second outing due to excessive wear on the car’s floor, has seemingly extinguished any hopes of a Scuderia challenge for a top-three finish this season.

Lewis Hamilton to finish in top 3

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Bet

8/5

Personal standings for the 2025 season and odds to win

Can Norris Finally End the Reign of the Bulls?

Lando Norris isn’t hiding his enthusiasm ahead of his return to Suzuka:

Lando Norris to win the 2025 Drivers’ Championship

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Bet

3/4

Given McLaren’s outstanding straight-line speed and excellent stability in high-speed corners, he’s expected to take pole and control the race from the front. 

Meanwhile, the mood at Red Bull Racing and Ferrari is quite pessimistic. Within Red Bull Racing, there are doubts that they will be able to match McLaren’s speed in Japan, while at Ferrari, they’re even stating that a decent outcome would be simply maintaining their performance from the previous two races.

In short, unless rain or chaotic pit-stop strategies intervene, Lando should take first place without much trouble.

2025 F1 Constructors’ Championship odds to win

Japanese Grand Prix History

The Suzuka GP first ran in 1963, with Peter Warr winning in a Lotus-Cosworth. Suzuka has hosted most of the events, apart from a stretch at Fuji Speedway (1966–1975).

Michael Schumacher holds the absolute record for the most wins at the Suzuka circuit with 6 (1995, 1997, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004). Lewis Hamilton is in second place with 4 (2007, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018). And Sebastian Vettel rounds out the top three with 3 (2009, 2010, 2012, 2013).

Since the COVID-19 break, Verstappen has won every Japanese GP from 2022 to 2024 — a streak that now looks very much under threat.

Japanese Grand Prix Prediction

While all eyes will be on the battle between Norris and Verstappen, there’s additional intrigue in the Red Bull garage. Christian Horner has benched Liam Lawson in favour of Japan’s own Yuki Tsunoda, after the latter scored points for the sister team earlier this year. However, Tsunoda is unlikely to threaten the top five on debut in the senior car — a top-10 finish would be a solid result.

Verstappen, despite the car’s struggles, remains one of the most efficient racers on the grid. With aggressive low-downforce setups and slick pit strategy, he could very well sneak into the top three — though backing him for the win on a high-speed, high-downforce circuit like Suzuka is a long shot at best.

Max Verstappen to finish in top 3

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Bet

9/10

But don’t discount the wildcard — Suzuka is famed for its weather drama. And once again, rain is in the forecast.

Japanese Grand Prix Schedule and Weather Forecast

The weather forecast for Saturday suggests a chance of light rain, with temperatures peaking at around +16. Race day itself should see the mercury climb to +18. Crucially, the potential for further showers lingers, with a 55% chance of precipitation anticipated throughout Sunday’s race.

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