<h2>Japanese Grand Prix</h2> <p>It’s off to Suzuka for the third F1 race of the season, the Japanese Grand Prix and McLaren already hold a considerable lead atop the Constructors standings.</p> <p>With Lando Norris winning in Australia and Oscar Piastri doing the same in China, the papaya team has a 21-point buffer over second place Mercedes.</p> <p>However, McLaren have had mixed fortunes in Japan. Norris and Piastri both finished on the podium in 2023, but neither made the top 3 last year, with Norris fifth and Piastri eighth.</p> <p>Red Bull’s Max Verstappen has won the last three races at Suzuka, with his former teammate Sergio Perez finishing second last year.</p> <p>Speaking of Red Bull, this will be a unique homecoming for Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda, who will partner Verstappen this weekend after swapping places with Liam Lawson, who has been demoted to the Racing Bulls car.</p> <p>Previous Japanese Grand Prix races have had their fair share of drama in the rain and the forecast for race day at the time of publishing calls for a 60% chance of precipitation.</p> <p>Once again, this race is in a good time slot for Aussie audiences, with lights out on Sunday at 3pm AEST.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Japanese Grand Prix Betting Tips</h2> <h3>Best Bet</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/motor-racing/formula-1/f1-japanese-grand-prix-9063737">McLaren $1.40 (Team of Winning Driver)</a></p> <p>As long as there is a little bit of value here, it makes sense to keep backing the McLarens. Norris and Piastri have dominated the early going and if it wasn’t for Oscar’s mistake in Melbourne, it might have been back-to-back 1-2 finishes.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Next Best</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/motor-racing/formula-1/f1-japanese-grand-prix-9063737">Max Verstappen $1.72 (Podium Finish)</a></p> <p>At this point, Max looks like the most likely challenger to the McLarens and with his experience at Suzuka, a podium finish – and possibly even a win – could be on the cards.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Value Bet</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/motor-racing/formula-1/f1-japanese-grand-prix-9063737">Max Verstappen/Lando Norris/Oscar Piastri $4.00 (Boxed Trifecta)</a></p> <p>Sportsbet’s ‘exotics’ are definitely worth a look and this Boxed Trifecta includes the top three drivers in any order. If you think George Russell can sneak onto the podium again – he’s finished third in the first two races – his Boxed Trifecta with the two McLarens is currently paying $7.00.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Piastri Bet</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/motor-racing/formula-1/f1-japanese-grand-prix-9063737">Oscar Piastri $2.75 (Outright Betting)</a></p> <p>Once again this seems like a solid play given Piastri’s strong start to the season. A Podium Finish is currently paying $1.37, so you could throw that into a multi if you think Norris (or someone else) might finish first this weekend.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>&nbsp;</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Odds are subject to change.</p>