Raikkonen odds worth a flutter

It is also Bridgestone's home ground and they are likely to have their usual highly effective rubber.

But let's just say that Michelin did put one across them. Not likely but the odds have to be better than 200-1, which is what you can get on Kimi Raikkonen taking pole and winning the race.

McLaren has made progress lately and Raikkonen should go well at Suzuka, so even if you don't want to go the whole hog, what about an each way bet (one-fifth the odds for a top three finish) on the Finn at 28-1?

It can also rain in Japan so, with one eye on Bridgestone's wet weather superiority - untested since Silverstone - maybe it's time for one last punt on a Giancarlo Fisichella Jordan podium at 25-1.

A more secure bet is Eddie Irvine, who scored a point on his F1 debut here nine years ago now, knows the place like the back of his hand, and was looking forward to trying the latest Jaguar R3 at Suzuka. You can get 2-1 on Irvine to score points.

Honda always makes a special effort at home too, so look also at Jacques Villeneuve (3-1) and Olivier Panis (5-1) to finish in the top six.