Japanese GP tips and best bets: Fernando Alonso, Carlos Sainz and AlphaTauri duo in the mix at Suzuka

Whether or not that was a mere blip remains to be seen, with Red Bull able to seal the Constructors’ Championship this weekend at Suzuka – a favourite circuit for fans and drivers alike, so much so that Sebastian Vettel once described the layout as having been “designed by the Gods.”
 
Red Bull are confident about climbing back onto their perch this weekend however, and it’ll be up to the rest of the field to stop them once again.

Here are Planet Sport's predictions and tips for the Japanese Grand Prix...

 

AlphaTauri - double points finish

Now, our boldest prediction for Singapore was for Liam Lawson to get into the points in his heavily upgraded AlphaTauri.
  
He duly did so in fine fashion, but team-mate Yuki Tsunoda has had a tougher time of things recently, not making the start line in Italy with an engine failure and getting tagged by Sergio Perez on the first lap last weekend, forcing him to retire - neither incident being his fault.

He looked quick all weekend at Marina Bay last time out, though, and cheered on by his home crowd, if he can keep out of trouble and, coupled with his car now having more performance, the team that have been slowest for most of the season may even have a chance yet of getting both of their cars into the points.

 

Fernando Alonso - top six finish

Earlier in the season, this prediction would have been a foregone conclusion given how well Aston Martin have been performing.

Since the halfway point of the year, however, the Silverstone-based team have fallen back in the pecking order and are looking to make the most of what they can.

You’re now more likely to find positive odds on Alonso cracking the top six as a result after a very rare off-weekend in Singapore last time out, and as a previous winner at Suzuka and lover of Japanese culture, Alonso knows more than a thing or two about this place.

 

 

Carlos Sainz – podium finish

Having just driven two of the best races of his career and with Ferrari having performed well on two very different types of circuit, there’s no reason to suggest Carlos Sainz cannot make it onto the podium again this weekend.

The Spaniard drove magnificently last time out in Singapore, and while Suzuka presents an altogether different challenge, if Ferrari are able to extract pace again this time, he is in a rich vein of form to be able to make the most of his car.

If you hear ‘Smooth Operator’ being sung (almost) in tune this weekend, you’ll know things have gone rather well for him once again.

 

Japanese GP predictions:

AlphaTauri double points finish

Fernando Alonso top six finish

Carlos Sainz podium finish