Formula 1 2022 Japanese Grand Prix Odds & Picks

• Sergio Perez vies for consecutive wins for the first time in his career at this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix
• Perez stole the spotlight with the most impressive drive of his career while claiming his second win of the season last week in Singapore
• See the 2022 Japanese Grand Prix odds and trends for Sunday’s race at Suzuka International Racing Course

Fresh off arguably the most impressive drive of his career while taking the checkered flag in last weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix, Sergio Perez arrives in Japan for this weekend’s running of the 2022 Japanese Grand Prix closely trailing the favorites as a +1000 bet in the Formula 1 odds to earn his third win of the season.

Here’s a look at all the odds and trends ahead of Sunday’s running of the 2022 Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka International Racing Course, which has a very early start time of 1:00 am ET.

Odds to Win 2022 Japanese Grand Prix

Odds from DraftKings Sportsbook as of October 6, 2022.

Currently in a tight two-way race with Charles Leclerc for second place in the F1 Drivers Standings, Perez will likely face a stiff challenge from Red Bull teammate Max Verstappen. The defending champion once again tops the odds as a -190 favorite, while Leclerc is a +380 second-favorite.

Checo Poised for Strong Home Stretch

If there were any lingering doubts in the minds of F1 betting fans as to whether Sergio Perez could regain the pace that powered him to top two finishes in six of his first 10 races this season, the “Mexican Minister of Defense” allayed them last week with what has been widely proclaimed as the best drive of his Formula 1 career. Starting second on the grid on a dangerously wet track, “Checo” immediately seized the lead from pole sitter Charles Leclerc, and never looked back as he cruised to his fourth career victory.

Checo nailed his launch, and never looked back! 🚀#SingaporeGP #F1 @SChecoPerez @redbullracing pic.twitter.com/Mt8uOFHZ9e

— Formula 1 (@F1) October 2, 2022

In addition preserving valuable points for Red Bull on what ended as a disappointing day for teammate Max Verstappen, the victory also leaves Checo lagging just two points back of Leclerc in the race for second place in the Standings, a battle he now sports attractive +225 odds of winning.

DRIVER STANDINGS 📊

Max Verstappen continues to hold strong with a 104 point lead over nearest rival Charles Leclerc #SingaporeGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/nZBkWIJfpE

— Formula 1 (@F1) October 2, 2022

Perez must first overcome his middling track record at Suzuka, where he has finished no better than eighth in nine previous appearances. However, with this race returning after being pulled from the calendar for the past two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Sunday will mark the first time that Perez hits the track at Suzuka behind the wheel of one of the fastest cars in F1. And considering his success in Singapore, and with more rain in the forecast this weekend, Checo offers value not only as a +1000 bet to win, and a +100 bet to reach the podium, but also as a +1000 wager to be this weekend’s fastest qualifier.

Japanese Grand Prix Recent Winners

Tsunoda Homecoming

Currently wrapping up his second season as an F1 driver with AlphaTauri, this weekend represents the first career home race for Yuki Tsunoda. The 22-year-old opened the campaign with respectable results, finishing in the points in three of the first six of the races of the season, with his seventh-place performance at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix marking the high point of his season to date.

Safety Car deployed! Tsunoda had a big impact. His race is over as he immediately took his hands away from the steering wheel right before the impact. He's the 6th driver to DNF in this race so far. #RaceDay #af1 #F122 #SingaporeGP #MarinaBay @F1NightRace pic.twitter.com/HVGzMNbEdD

— F1 Community in Ethiopia (@f1ethiopia) October 2, 2022

While Tsunoda offers little hope as a +90000 longshot to claim his first career F1 victory, there is still value to be found on the odds board for backers of the former F4 Japanese champion. Tsunoda is pegged as an attractive +225 bet to pick up at least a point this weekend, but has failed to crack the top ten in his past 11 outings. Indeed, considering he has failed to finish in four of the past nine races, including two of the past three, Tsunoda offers the strongest value as a +800 wager to be the first driver to retire from Sunday’s race.

The Picks: Sergio Perez podium finish (+100); Yuki Tsunoda first to retire (+800)