For the first time in a long time this Formula 1 Season, Max Verstappen and Red Bull didn’t take the top podium spot. Ferrari and Carlos Sainz won in Singapore while Verstappen finished fifth. Leading up to Sunday’s race, Red Bull is back on top after Verstappen scored the top spot in the free practice 2. Will Max return to his dominating ways? Or did Carlos’ victory open the doors for a 2023 Ferrari comeback? Check out F1 auto racing odds, analysis, and free picks for this Sunday’s Japanese Grand Prix.

2023 Japanese Grand Prix Race Info

Elevation, flow, figure of eight layout, incredible backdrops…

This place has it all #JapaneseGP #F1 @suzuka_event pic.twitter.com/nLsN9rPRN6

— Formula 1 (@F1) September 22, 2023

• When: Sunday, September 24 at 1:00 am ET
• Where: Suzuka International Racing Course, Suzuka, Japan
• TV: ESPN/ABC
• Live Stream: Formula1.com
• Circuit Length: 5.807 km
• Laps: 53
• Number of Corners: 18

READ MORE: 2023 Japanese Grand Prix Sleeper Picks

2022 F1 Japanese GP Recap

Not only did Max Verstappen qualify first, but he parlayed the pole victory into a race win. Verstappen teammate Sergio Perez followed Max in second-place. Third place went to Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.

Esteban Ocon was a surprising fourth-place finisher, a spot ahead of Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton. Sebastian Vettel finished sixth for Aston Martin Aramco-Mercedes. Fernando Alonso finished seventh. Carlos Sainz had to retire due to an accident.

Top Pick to Win the 2023 Japanese Grand Prix

The Singapore Grand Prix winner had no shot in this last year. Carlos Sainz Jr. finished ahead of only Alexander Albon after suffering an accident.

Because Carlos started third at the 2022 Japanese Grand Prix, we must assume that if he hadn’t gotten into the accident, he would have produced a decent finish. Sainz and his crew are flying high with confidence. If Carlos starts in the top three on Sunday, he’ll have a chance to make it back-to-back.

Second Pick to Win the 2023 Japanese Grand Prix

After the results of the Japanese Grand Prix second practice, it’s obvious that Max Verstappen is back to his best form. Verstappen’s fifth-place finish at the Singapore Grand Prix is likely nothing more than an anomaly.

Max should manage a podium spot. Heck, the Red Bull driver should win the pole and the race. But the odds make Max tough to back. If Verstappen lost at Singapore, who knows? Maybe, he goes on a 2 to 3 race run where he finishes second, third, or worse.

Third Pick to Win the 2023 Japanese Grand Prix

Sergio Perez didn’t have a great Singapore. But the Red Bull driver did well enough to attract a look in this. The reason? The eight-place finish was just 3 spots off teammate Max Verstappen.

Not only that, but Perez is likely to get a decent starting position, in the top four for sure, after watching Verstappen dominate in the second free practice.

In addition, Sergio finished a fantastic second at the 2022 F1 Japanese Grand Prix. Perez will have a great shot to win his first race since taking home the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix trophy in March.

Top Underdog Pick to Win the 2023 Japanese Grand Prix

Leclerc finished second behind teammate Carlos Sainz Jr. at the Singapore Grand Prix. Leclerc finished third at the 2022 Japanese Grand Prix.

The top underdog play started second behind Verstappen in last year’s event. If Leclerc can score a second place starting position, or if Verstappen blows it during qualifying and Charles start first, he’ll have a chance.

The thing about Singapore is that Ferrari may be on the cusp of a decent run. We should play it as if the run will happen by taking shots on both Sainz Jr. and Leclerc.

Where to Bet on F1 with Crypto

Formula 1 features a continuously growing betting market for veteran and novice punters. Motorsport lovers will get a kick out of our F1 odds selection, which features Drivers and Constructors’ Championship futures and outright winners of each Grand Prix.

This is just one of the many sports betting guides that you can read here at Nitrobetting news. Stay tuned for more Formula 1 previews and articles, and don’t forget to check out the latest sports betting odds at our crypto sportsbook.

READ MORE: 2023 Japanese Grand Prix Takeaways