F1 Japanese Grand Prix practice betting preview, free tip & where to watch

F1 tips, best bet and predictions for Thursday's Japanese Grand Prix practice one.

Where to watch

Sky Sports F1, 2am Thursday night
Practice two on Sky Sports F1 at 6am Friday

Best bet

Charles Leclerc fastest in practice one
2pts 5-2 Coral, Ladbrokes
Back this tip with Coral

Preview

Typhoon Hagibis is threatening to wash out qualifying day at Suzuka but Japanese Grand Prix weekend should get off to a dry start.

Despite leading home a Mercedes 1-2 in Russia last time out, runaway championship leader Lewis Hamilton has claimed that his team aren’t favourites for any of the remaining races.

Bookmakers disagree, as Hamilton is a narrow favourite for pole position and to win the race at Suzuka.

However, Charles Leclerc is arguably unlucky not to be riding a four-race winning streak and his Ferrari should be perfectly suited to the demands of the circuit.

Leclerc has been quickest out of the blocks at two of the last three grand prix weekends and looks a decent price to head opening practice.

If the weather prevents qualifying from taking place as scheduled it will most likely be moved to Sunday morning. That has happened four times in the last 15 years, twice in Japan.

Track facts

Venue Suzuka Circuit, Mie ­Prefecture
Number of laps 53
Lap length 5.807km
Lap record 1.31.540 K Raikkonen (McLaren) 2005
Schedule – practice one 2am Thursday night; ­practice two 6am ­Friday; practice three 4am Saturday; ­qualifying 7am Saturday; race 6.10am Sunday
TV All live on Sky Sports F1
Circuit characteristics A popular track with a great mix of corners including some real challenges and a couple of overtaking ­opportunities. Suzuka is F1’s only figure-eight circuit
DRS zone Just the one at Suzuka, but it runs the full length of the pits straight
Last five years (grid) L Hamilton (1), L Hamilton (1), N Rosberg (1), L Hamilton (2), L Hamilton (2)
Last year Mercedes cruised to a 1-2 finish as Ferrari were hampered after being caught out by changing conditions during qualifying.
2018 pole L Hamilton, 1.27.760
2018 fastest lap S Vettel, 1.32.318 on lap 53
2018 classified finishers 17/20
Weather Cloudy with rain starting around midday. Typhoon threat tomorrow but clear and sunny on Sunday

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