Formula 1 2026 Season Predictions: Who Will Become the Champion and the Best Bets

Following the triumph of British motorsport led by Lando Norris and McLaren in 2025, keeping an eye on the new Formula 1 season has become even more exciting – let's hope that once again, it will be unclear who will win the championship until the final race. The new season kicks off from March 6-8 in Australia. The editorial team at Scores24 has reviewed the bookmakers' odds on the drivers and offers its forecast for the 2026 Formula 1 season – we've gathered the best bets on the Formula 1 winner.

What's Changed in the New Formula 1 Season

The Formula 1 race calendar for 2026 will consist of 24 Grand Prix stages. The main changes include a second stage in Spain. The races previously held in Montmelo will now be called the Barcelona-Catalonia Grand Prix, while the Spanish Grand Prix will move to Madrid. The stage at the “Madring” has replaced the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix in Imola on the schedule.

Below is the schedule of all the F1 Grand Prix stages for the 2026 season.

*here and further – dates of the entire event, the race takes place on the last day of the event

The upcoming season could be revolutionary for Formula 1, as the organizers have seriously changed the technical regulations – this is potentially the most extensive reform in the history of motorsport. The cars will feature next-generation active aerodynamics, new power units that will affect the cars' corner exit and, likely,will reduce straight-line movement. There is a chance that in 2026 we might witness a new speed record in F1 – the maximum speeds of the cars could reach 400 km/h (the current record is 378 km/h).

Finally, Formula 1 has expanded to 11 teams. Cadillac has joined the elite list, with four-time world championship runner-up Valtteri Bottas and three-time runner-up Sergio Perez driving for them.

Favorites in the Title Race

George Russell (United Kingdom, Mercedes)

Last season: 4th place (2 wins, 9 podiums)

Strong tracks: Las Vegas (1 win, 2 podiums), Montreal (1 win, 2 podiums), Baku (3 podiums)

Title odds: 33.5%

Title betting odds: 2.98**

**Here and below: odds are approximate at the time of publication and may vary across different bookmakers

Max Verstappen (Netherlands, Red Bull)

Last season: 2nd place (8 wins, 15 podiums)

Strong tracks: Mexico, Abu Dhabi (5 wins each), Japan, Spain, Austria, USA (4 wins each), Canada, Belgium, Italy, Netherlands, Qatar (3 wins each)

Title odds: 24.1%

Title betting odds: 4.15

Charles Leclerc (Monaco, Ferrari)

Last season: 5th place (7 podiums)

Strong tracks: Austria (1 win, 5 podiums), Belgium (1 win, 4 podiums), Abu Dhabi (4 podiums), Monza (2 wins, 3 podiums), USA (1 win, 3 podiums)

Title odds: 16.1%

Title betting odds: 6.2

Lewis Hamilton (United Kingdom, Ferrari)

Last season: 6th place (no podiums)

Strong tracks: United Kingdom (9 wins), Hungary (8 wins), Canada (7 wins), China, Barcelona-Catalunya (6 wins each), Bahrain, USA, Belgium, Italy, Abu Dhabi (5 wins each), Japan, Singapore (4 wins each)

Title odds: 12.2%

Title betting odds: 8.2

Lando Norris (United Kingdom, McLaren)

Last season: 1st place (7 wins, 18 podiums)

Strong tracks: Austria (1 win, 3 podiums), United Kingdom (1 win, 3 podiums), Hungary (1 win, 3 podiums), Singapore (1 win, 3 podiums), Monza (3 podiums)

Title odds: 9.8%

Title betting odds: 10.2

Who Might Surprise in 2026

According to the editorial team, surprises of various scales can be expected from three drivers in the upcoming season.

Andrea Kimi Antonelli (Italy, Mercedes)

Last season: 7th place (3 podiums)

Title odds: 9.8%

Title betting odds: 10.2

What might surprise: Many experts consider Mercedes to be inone voice is calling the main favorite in the battle for the Constructors' Cup. The team is capable of winning the trophy for the first time in five years, and with a strong lineup of drivers, the chances are not only appearing for Russell.

Oscar Piastri (Australia, McLaren)

Last season: 3rd place (7 wins, 16 podiums)

Title chances: 6.5%

Odds for the title: 15.5

What could surprise: One should not discount the second driver of one of the strongest teams. Especially since the Australian won a record number of races last year and reached the podium a record number of times. Piastri's fourth full season in Formula 1 promises to be interesting, considering that the 24-year-old driver has improved his results over the past three years.

Isack Hadjar (France, Red Bull)

Last season: 12th place (1 podium)

Title chances: 1%

Odds for the title: 100.0

What could surprise: Competing in the same team as Max Verstappen is both a responsibility and a challenge. It's hard to count how many second drivers the Dutch pilot has already "outlasted." While the 21-year-old Frenchman can only dream of a championship for now, winning his first career race or reaching the podium more than once in a season is quite within his reach.

Who will win the Constructors' Cup?

Since 2010, only three teams have won the Constructors' Cup – Red Bull, Mercedes, and McLaren. Along with Ferrari, they are considered the main contenders for the championship and a top-three finish – with no close competitors.

The main contender for the Cup is Mercedes, which emerged as the favorite after another regulation change on power units. The team, which dominated for eight consecutive years (2014-2021), was the fastest in the initial tests in Bahrain, but the true potential of the German constructor is expected to be seen in Australia. For this reason, Russell is considered the main favorite (3.28 for the win) at the opening Grand Prix.

McLaren and Ferrari will try to challenge Mercedes, but their main battle will be for the second position. For Ferrari, the season could be decisive – no podiums for Hamilton in the 2025 season have become a serious reason for contemplating retirement, and Leclerc's failure has led to thoughts of changing teams. However, the tests inspire optimism.

McLaren is in pursuit of a third consecutive Constructors' Cup with Norris and Piastri, who have proven their ability to win. Finally, Red Bull was consistently third or fourth in speed based on the test results. Verstappen's mood does not inspire optimism either, as he managed to criticize the new machinery before the season started – Red Bull will be using their own developed engines under the Ford brand.

Value Bets for the 2026 Season

Championship Winner

George Russell (odds 2.98). This could be the moment when the car helps the Brit to win the world championship. In the last three out of four seasons, he has been close to finishing in the top-3 but hasn't quite made it. Russell has learned to handle the pressure, and the car will allow him to consistently reach the podium and score points. If he can start by scoring 15+ points in each race and ignore those who will rotate in the top three at each Grand Prix, an early victory is even possible.

Top-3 by Season's End

George Russell, Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri. While Russell's situation is clear, McLaren could once again rely on their star drivers. Piastri is not even in the top-5 favorites for the championship this season, but his task is to consistently score points for McLaren in the Cup.constructors. However, Norris might put up a fight and defend the title. Close to the top 3 will be Max Verstappen (if he shows his maximum) and extracts everything possible from the car, Lewis Hamilton (essentially his last chance – Ferrari has given it to him), and Charles Leclerc.

Constructor's Cup Winner

McLaren (3.54). The team boasts an incredible lineup of drivers capable of delivering 25-35 points at each Grand Prix, which might be enough for a third consecutive title. In the 21st century, no British team has won the Constructor's Cup more than twice.

Special Bets

A Brit will win the World Championship (1.85). According to our forecast, two Brits – Russell and Norris – will compete for the championship. A decent odds for a special bet.

A Brit will win the British Grand Prix (2). 9 out of the last 12 races at Silverstone were won by Brits – Hamilton and Norris. Considering the high stakes on Russell as well, the chances to hit the jackpot increase.

Max Verstappen will win 7 or more Grand Prix (1.85). You can talk all you want about the advantages of Mercedes, McLaren, and Ferrari, but one of the best drivers in history isn't going anywhere. The Dutchman has finished the season with at least eight wins for five consecutive years.

Lewis Hamilton will finish the season above Charles Leclerc (3.20). It's a risk, yes, but the British driver at 41 clearly wants to prove that not everything is lost for him. An F1 movie plot might become reality, and Sir Lewis Hamilton might still have some fire left.

Odds for the 2026 World Champion Title

Conclusion

It is evident that we are in for a historic Formula 1 season in every sense, with numerous changes, innovations, and potential surprises. Betting on the season in such a scenario is both intriguing and risky. Who, for instance, is even halfway confident that Russell's championship is a done deal? Or that Red Bull won't join the fight for the top 3 in the Constructors' Championship?

What betting strategy to choose for the season is entirely up to you. You can trust our prediction for Formula 1 2026 and immediately pick who will become the champion. Or you can focus on individual Grands Prix and make predictions for them. Either way, the big auto season kicks off on March 6, with the first race taking place on March 8. Wishing you many successful bets!