The 2026 Formula 1 season arrives with new rules and shifting team dynamics. Discover our predictions and best bets for the season.
2026 F1 Championship
The 2025 season ended in dramatic fashion, with McLaren Racing returning to the very top of Formula 1. Powered by strong consistency across the year, Lando Norris captured his maiden Drivers’ Championship with 423 points, just two points ahead of Max Verstappen, who finished runner-up after an unforgettable Abu Dhabi finale. The title fight went down to the wire, keeping fans on edge until the last lap.
Norris’ teammate Oscar Piastri finished third on 410 points, helping McLaren achieve a historic milestone. It was the team’s first Drivers’ 1-2 finish since 1988 and their second consecutive Constructors’ Championship victory, as the squad once again proved its race pace and strategic discipline.
As the sport moves into 2026, Formula 1 faces one of its biggest technical resets in years. New power unit regulations, updated aerodynamic frameworks, and a greater focus on energy efficiency are expected to shake up the established order.
Such major rule changes often narrow performance gaps between teams, opening the door for surprises early in the season. With teams preparing aggressively during the off-season, the 2026 championship could look very different from the dominance patterns seen in recent years.
Who is the Betting Favourite to Win the 2026 F1 Drivers Championship?
George Russell is the clear betting favourite to win the 2026 F1 Drivers' Championship. Latest odds give the Mercedes ace a 27.5% implied win probability, ahead of Max Verstappen in Red Bull with 21.5% and Charles Leclerc of Ferrari a 13.6% chance of winning his maiden title.
| 2026 F1 championship winner | Best Odds | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
| George Russell | 23/10 | AK Bets |
| Max Verstappen | 10/3 | Betfred |
| Charles Leclerc | 11/2 | Unibet |
| Lewis Hamilton | 15/2 | PricedUp |
| Lando Norris | 11/1 | AK Bets |
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George Russell leads due to Mercedes topping Bahrain testing in long runs and aero efficiency under 2026 regs. Their power unit suits the 50/50 ICE-electric split, positioning them as frontrunners in the new era. Antonelli's rookie buzz adds team depth.
Max Verstappen trails narrowly thanks to his four titles and Red Bull's simulation prowess, despite testing setup focus. Reg changes reset the field, but his adaptability keeps him short-priced. Red Bull's tyre concerns linger slightly.
Leclerc’s 2026 outlook is built around Ferrari’s development push and his own consistency behind the wheel. While preseason testing in Bahrain didn’t immediately showcase outright dominance, the car’s upgrade package is expected to improve race trim performance over the long season.
Leclerc’s biggest strength remains extracting peak pace during qualifying and converting front-row starts into podium chances. If Ferrari’s reliability and aerodynamic efficiency improve under the new regulations, he could mount a serious title challenge.
Hamilton brings invaluable championship experience to Ferrari’s 2026 project. Even if raw testing numbers are not always headline-grabbing, his racecraft, tyre management, and strategic awareness make him a dangerous contender in variable race conditions.
Under the new regulation era, veteran drivers who can adapt quickly to evolving track behaviour often gain an advantage. Hamilton’s role is expected to be both performance-driven and developmental, helping Ferrari refine their race strategy across the season.
Norris enters 2026 in a slightly more cautious position compared to his championship-winning 2025 campaign. The biggest concern is McLaren’s reported sensitivity to tyre degradation during long runs, which could matter more under the updated aerodynamic rules.
Norris remains extremely quick in clean air and qualifying simulations, but sustaining race pace over multiple stints will be key if he wants to defend his title successfully. Still, championship-winning confidence from the previous season means he cannot be discounted in any race weekend.
Best Betting Tips For 2026 F1 Championship
The season traditionally kicks off down under in Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit, and the opening race will already provide important clues about the new competitive order. With the 2026 regulation reset, teams are expected to approach the first weekend cautiously, prioritising points over risky setups.
However, the early season is likely to remain unpredictable. Max Verstappen’s adaptability, Charles Leclerc’s qualifying speed, and the race-winning pedigree of Lewis Hamilton ensure that the championship battle will stay wide open.
Tip 1: Lewis Hamilton to Win Drivers Championship - 1pt
Best odds of 15/2 at PricedUp while publishing.
Lewis Hamilton remains an interesting long-shot pick in the 2026 championship market. Despite sitting outside the top favourites, his seven world titles and over 100 race wins give him strong appeal in a season shaped by major regulation changes. The new cars are expected to reward setup mastery, race management, and adaptability early in the year, areas where Hamilton has historically excelled.
There are also expectations that Scuderia Ferrari made meaningful aerodynamic improvements during winter development. While Bahrain testing did not fully reveal their true pace, many believe the team’s performance window may open more clearly as the season moves to Australia.
Hamilton has often delivered strong results in his second season with a new team, having previously achieved championship success with both McLaren Racing and Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team. That pattern raises the question of whether history could repeat itself as he pushes Ferrari into title contention in 2026.
Tip 2: McLaren Over 2.5 Race Win - 1pt
Best odds of 3/5 at Unibet while publishing.
This bet suggests McLaren will win at least three races during the 2026 season. After their dominant 2025 campaign, where they secured both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships, the team carries strong momentum into the new regulation era.
Even with the technical reset, McLaren’s race execution remains a key strength. The car is expected to stay competitive across different track types, allowing drivers to convert podium chances into victories. Lando Norris will be central to the team’s title defence, while teammate Oscar Piastri will also be eager to prove he has what it takes to become a future world champion and challenge Norris this season.
If McLaren adapts quickly to the 2026 aerodynamic and power unit changes, reaching three or more race wins across the season looks like a realistic target.
Tip 3: Constructors Championship - Ferrari - 1.5pt
Best odds of 10/3 at Skybet while publishing.
Ferrari’s biggest advantage in the 2026 Constructors’ Championship could be its combination of speed and experience. The lineup of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc provides a rare mix of championship pedigree and outright qualifying performance. In a season shaped by new technical regulations, racecraft and setup understanding may matter more than pure car dominance.
Their closest rivals, Red Bull Racing and Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team, also face subtle lineup concerns. Both teams feature talented but relatively inexperienced second drivers who have not yet faced sustained Constructors’ Championship pressure. That could matter in a long, tightly contested season where every point counts.
Ferrari will likely lean on the class and consistency of Hamilton and Leclerc to outperform their rivals over the full campaign. If development upgrades deliver as expected and reliability stays strong, the team has a realistic path to challenging for the 2026 Constructors’ title.
