The 2026 season of F1 gets underway at Melbourne, marking the first race of the year. Here's out best bets for the Australian Grand Prix.
The Australian Grand Prix is always a thrilling way to start the Formula 1 season. There’s something special about seeing the new campaign kick off Down Under, where early-season form can be unpredictable and small advantages can make a big difference. The Albert Park circuit brings its own set of challenges, mixing strategy, tyre management, and driver confidence rather than just outright speed.
The early practice sessions at the Australian Grand Prix gave fans plenty to talk about, with Scuderia Ferrari showing strong pace right from the start. In FP1, Charles Leclerc set the fastest lap at 1:20.267, edging out teammate Lewis Hamilton by 0.469s, while Max Verstappen kept Red Bull Racing firmly in the picture, finishing third.
Things switched slightly in FP2, where McLaren Racing enjoyed a moment in the spotlight. Home favourite Oscar Piastri topped the session with a 1:19.729, much to the delight of the local crowd, with Verstappen once again showing consistency in second. Meanwhile, Lando Norris managed third place despite some earlier gearbox concerns in FP1.
Overall, it looks like a tight battle shaping up for the weekend. Mercedes-Benz in Formula One are quietly staying in the mix, with George Russell and rookie contender Andrea Kimi Antonelli showing respectable pace. If practice is anything to go by, expect a closely fought qualifying and race as teams continue fine-tuning their setups.
Who is the Betting Favourite to Win the 2026 F1 Australian Grand Prix?
George Russell is the clear betting favourite to win the 2026 F1 Australian Grand Prix. Latest odds imply roughly a 73% chance of a Russell victory, around 13% for Kimi Antonelli, and 6% for Charles Leclerc.
| Race Winner | Best Odds | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
| George Russell | 4/11 | AK Bets |
| Charles Leclerc | 14/1 | BetMGM UK |
| Max Verstappen | 80/1 | QuinnBet |
| Kimi Antonelli | 13/2 | BetMGM UK |
| Lewis Hamilton | 50/1 | QuinnBet |
There’s been a quiet sense of confidence around the early pace of Mercedes-Benz in Formula One, and it’s easy to see why. George Russell has looked tidy and controlled, carrying his testing form straight into Friday running. The car seems to suit the flowing nature of the Australian Grand Prix layout, especially when it comes to maintaining aero stability through the high-speed sections. If you’re looking for someone steady rather than flashy, Russell feels like a safe pair of hands across the weekend.
There were some encouraging signs for Scuderia Ferrari, particularly after Charles Leclerc topped FP1 and showed what the upgraded package can do. The pace looked sharp over a single lap, which is always important around the Australian Grand Prix circuit. That said, the slight drop-off in FP2 does leave a bit of uncertainty about how consistently the car can hold race rhythm or qualifying advantage.
If Ferrari can put everything together when it matters on Saturday, Leclerc could easily find himself fighting at the sharp end. The outright pace is clearly there, and in a weekend that already looks quite competitive, he’s certainly not someone you want to ignore in the win market.
BresBet
You can never really count out Max Verstappen. Even while Red Bull Racing experimented a little with tyre and setup direction, the consistency was still there across practice sessions, with Verstappen often hovering near the top three. Season openers can sometimes turn messy with strategy calls and unknown race rhythm, and that’s exactly where a driver of his experience tends to shine.
One of the more exciting stories so far has been the emergence of Andrea Kimi Antonelli. The young driver has been quietly impressive, particularly with a strong FP2 run that placed him inside the top six. Backing a rookie always carries risk, but there’s real buzz around his natural pace, and a debut weekend podium challenge isn’t completely out of the question if qualifying goes well.
Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton looked very settled in practice, even finishing FP1 inside the top two. Driving for Scuderia Ferrari appears to have given him a fresh rhythm. If the race turns into a long tactical battle or late pressure pushes the field apart, Hamilton’s race craft could make him a strong each-way contender.
F1 Australian Grand Prix Betting Tips
Our Betting Tips for the Australian Grand Prix is:
Tip 1: Podium Finish - Lewis Hamilton - 1.5pt
Best odds of 5/1 at bet365 while publishing.
Both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc enjoyed a solid start to the weekend in the Australian Grand Prix. There’s a growing sense that Scuderia Ferrari could be one of the teams to watch this season, and early practice running has done little to quiet those expectations. The car looks competitive, and if the development upgrades continue to deliver, Ferrari might just be in the mix at the front more often.
Hamilton, in particular, brings plenty of pedigree to this circuit, having won the race twice in the past. Experience tends to matter at Albert Park, especially when the field is tightly packed. He finished inside the top four across practice sessions, including a P2 showing, and if he can maintain that rhythm into qualifying and race trim, a podium challenge feels very realistic. Add in his natural race craft and the internal battle with his teammate, and Hamilton could be a very interesting name to follow this weekend.
Bet 2: Double Top 6 Finish - McLaren - 1pt
Best odds of 6/5 at William Hill while publishing.
A double top-6 finish looks like a realistic and sensible target for McLaren Racing this weekend, especially given the encouraging pace shown during practice running. Both drivers have appeared comfortable in a mix of qualifying-style and long-run simulations, suggesting that the car has the balance needed to convert speed into meaningful points.
Around the Australian Grand Prix, staying consistent often matters just as much as chasing outright pace, and McLaren seem well placed to capitalise on that. If qualifying goes smoothly and race strategy falls into rhythm, landing both cars inside the top six is certainly within reach. With the new technical era keeping the field tightly packed and no dominant team clearly pulling away yet, McLaren’s solid tyre management and stable race tempo could help both drivers stay competitive throughout the Grand Prix weekend.
Tip 3: Points Finish - Liam Lawson - 1pt
Best odds of 5/6 at Ladbrokes while publishing.
A points finish could be a realistic and encouraging goal for Liam Lawson this weekend, especially if the Australian Grand Prix turns into a strategy-driven race rather than a straight fight on raw pace. The midfield pack has looked extremely close so far, which often creates opportunities for drivers who stay patient and avoid unnecessary risks early on.
If Lawson can keep clear of first-lap traffic and manage his tyres smartly, a top-ten finish is definitely within the picture. Races at this circuit tend to reward consistency, positioning, and taking advantage of mistakes from others, and that could work in his favour. The early practice sessions were also encouraging for Racing Bulls, who showed competitive pace across the opening two free practice runs in Melbourne, giving Lawson a solid platform to chase points.
Tip 4: Bet Builder - 0.25pt
Lewis Hamilton - Podium Finish
McLaren - Double Top 6 Finish
Liam Lawson - Points Finish
Best odds of 14/1 at bet365 while publishing.
