FBC Staff Picks: Japanese GP

Having now gone five races since his last victory, it appears that half of the FBC staff think it’s time for Sebastian Vettel to come good again. And having seen how his last couple of races have gone, be it before, during or after, things couldn’t get too much worse for the German.

The other four staffers are expecting Lewis Hamilton to stay on form, as the Brit has won four of the last six rounds. The two championship protagonists appear together on everyone’s podiums except for Grace, Andrew and J.P. , while Ricciardo and Bottas get four picks apiece and Raikkonen makes a lone appearance in third for Tom.

As per usual, most Top Six predictions are filled with the Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull drivers, though Perez makes his usual appearance, as does Alonso with two picks. For only the third time this season, Fred did not make it as anyone’s First Out pick. Palmer, however, once again leads the way, though he did only get two nominations this week. New boy Gasly gets his first pick, so I’m sure he must be very proud. Ocon, Vettel, Perez, Magnussen and Stroll get one nod each, as well.

Unlike the picks for the Malaysian Grand Prix, the five staffers currently battling it out in a very close race for second position have relatively different choices this time around. In fact, not only do none of them have the same podium picks, but only two even have the same top two picks. There could definitely be a big shakeup in the points this weekend, at least in that mid-pack.

Todd

1. Hamilton

2. Vettel

3. Bottas

4. Ricciardo

5. Raikkonen

6. Verstappen

FO Gasly

Grace

1. Hamilton

2. Bottas

3. Ricciardo