Japanese Grand Prix 2026 Underdog Fantasy Picks
The Formula 1 season heads to Japan for Round 3 of its 2026 season. This race is set for 53 laps around the Suzuka Circuit. At just over three miles (5.807km), this course features 18 corners. Drivers have raced here since 1987. These Japanese Grand Prix 2026 Underdog Fantasy Picks focus on a team in disarray looking to capitalize on conflicting momentum between its drivers.
To play Underdog Fantasy, all you need to do is choose whether a driver will finish better than or worse than their projected finishing positions. It’s as simple as that. The more selections you make, the higher your multiplier will get, increasing the amount of money you stand to win.
Japanese Grand Prix 2026 Underdog Fantasy Picks
Max Verstappen Worse Than 6.5
It seems ridiculous to even contemplate taking a worse than on the four-time world champion. It’s even more ridiculous to predict that Max Verstappen will not manage to crack the top 6 by the end of the race. However, the senior Red Bull driver has not been comfortable with his car all weekend. Much to his disdain, it’s shown up in practice and qualifying.
Verstappen did not rank inside of the top 6 drivers in any of his three free practice sessions. His best effort came in FP1 in which he landed seventh overall in practice speed. Despite his struggles, he made it into Q2 on Saturday. Even still, he was visibly fighting his car. Ultimately, he was edged out of Q3 by rookie Racing Bulls driver Arvid Lindblad.
The moment Max was knocked out of qualifying 👀#F1 #JapaneseGP pic.twitter.com/vibCJ99Ngj
— Formula 1 (@F1) March 28, 2026
Mercedes has been throwing around impressive speed all weekend. We’ve also seen speed out of both Ferrari and McLaren. It will be difficult for even a veteran like Verstappen to punch his way into that mix with an ill-handling car.
Isack Hadjar Better Than 8.5
On the other side of that Red Bull garage sits Isack Hadjar who has also had to overcome his team’s shortcomings to start the year. The Frenchman did not finish the season opener in Australia, ending his day in a puff of smoke. He did manage to bounce back to finish 8th last week in Shanghai, outlasting his teammate who was forced to retire his car.
Hadjar was slow out of the gates this weekend. He failed to post a time inside of the top 10 in the three practice sessions. However, he was able to fight his way into Q3 where he laid down his best lap of the weekend securing himself the 8th spot on the starting grid.
Hadjar taking the tightest line possible 😵
The Red Bull driver is currently P6 #F1 #JapaneseGP pic.twitter.com/tSgoCuQfE3
— Formula 1 (@F1) March 28, 2026
The young Red Bull driver did well for himself last season, besting this projection in six races with the junior Racing Bulls team. In fact, Hadjar finished in 8th place in his first ever visit to Suzuka as a Formula 1 driver. He has the speed to compete for a top 6 finish. He’s already rolling to the start in a position to beat this projection. We just have to pray his team suffers no major setbacks during the race.
About The Author
